Better Bycatch Reduction Devices for the Gulf of Mexico Commercial Shrimp Trawl Fishery

Proposed Gear

The early stages of the Better Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) Project focused on a BRD hunt. Gear found through net observations, shrimper suggestions, and international tech transfer made the initial gear list. Testing by NOAA and stakeholder input moved these three gears to industry trials.

The new BRD designs have come from innovations produced by commercial shrimpers like you. We’re excited about these designs, but we need your help testing these devices for practical usability and performance. Your experiences will help us to refine these designs so that they work as effectively and efficiently as possible under the conditions that you and your vessel operate.

Current Designs Being Tested:

Image: Tom's Fisheye

Tom’s Fisheye:
Metal fisheye design with solid sides for buoyancy that produces an escape area in the net to allow fish to swim out. Established design created in Australia. Metrics: Used at 10 feet or closer to tieof rings, potentially with buoys to aid if depth compromised

Large Mesh Sections:
Areas of the net that are composed of 3″ or larger mesh, well above average codend dimensions, installed in codend. The large mesh provides openings that allow fish to escape. Typically used with chafing gear greater mesh size than LMS

The Gulf Large Mesh Section features a 4-inch Large Mesh Section placed 6 feet (72 inches) from the bag tie-off rings. The Large Mesh Section is attached to the codend/bag at a 2 codened/bag meshes to 1 Large Mesh Section mesh.

The Vu Large Mesh Section features a 3-inch Large Mesh Section placed at 4.5 feet (54 inches) from the bag tie-off rings. The Large mesh section is attached to the codend/bag at 4 codend/bag meshes to 3 Large Mesh Section meshes.

Flapless TEDs:
The flaps are pulled back on these TEDs to allow a large opening for bycatch to escape. Both are top-shooting designs with a bar or PVC pipe “knocking shrimp down” as they pass the TED extension.

Image: Chauvin TED The Chauvin TED features a 3-inch PVC pipe that is wrapped in webbing – commonly referred to as a sock. This is then sewn above the TED opening. THIS IS AN APPROVED TED DESIGN AS STANDS Metrics: Typical TED location. May remove pipe and
sock. No other modifications allowed..

Image: Drury The Drury TED features a smaller diameter PVC pipe or broomstick sewn directly into the opening of the TED. Metrics: Typical TED location. May decrease pipe/stick length or remove completely. No other modifications allowed.