Summary
This study evaluated the catch performance and selectivity of artisanal (local wood, 1 inch wire mesh) and innovative (stainless steel frame, polyethylene mesh, 2 inch mesh size, funnel entrances) fish traps deployed in the coastal waters of Batu Rakit, Malaysia across three depths (10, 15, and 20 meters). The artisanal trap had a higher total catch than the innovative trap, although target catch levels did not significantly differ between the two trap designs (48.36% and 47.76% of total catch, respectively). However, total bycatch abundance (both retained and discarded bycatch) was significantly lower in the innovative trap (discarded bycatch was 5.97% of total catch in comparison to 30.52%).