10.3   Squid Trap

              Traps for big fin reef squid have many shapes and sizes. The most common are the semi-cylindrical and the cylindrical traps. The semi-cylindrical trap is about 120-155 cm. long, 60-120 cm. wide and 50-80 cm. in height. The cylindrical trap is about 135 cm. long and 120 cm. diameter. Bamboo and rattan are widely used materials for making trap frames. The cover of the trap can be the polyethylene netting 380d/12, with 60 mm. mesh size woven bamboo netting and nylon monofilament PA of 0.5 mm., 40 mm. mesh size. Baits are coconut flower branches which are tied at the center of the traps. In some areas, the trap is placed on top of a platform consisting of bamboo branches to attract squid.

              The traps are set in waters from 9-15 meters deep. The common method is to set them along the sea bottom but another method is the suspension of the trap in a vertical bamboo which is fixed by a line to the bottom. The traps has only one entrance which is located on top or on one of its side.