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Better BRDs Project: BRD Manuals

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

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BRD Manuals

Currently, there are five certified BRDs for use in the Gulf of Mexico — Fisheye, Jones Davis, Modifies Jones Davis, Cone Fish Deflector Composite Panel, Square Mesh Panel Composite Panel.

1. Fisheye

Image: Fisheye BRD manual

The fisheye bycatch reduction device (BRD) is a simple and effective design installed in the codend of a shrimp trawl to provide an opening for fish to escape from the net. The fisheye BRD has been found to have 37 percent bycatch elimination and 90 percent shrimp retention by weight when properly installed.

Download Fisheye BRD Manual >

Also available:

2. Jones-Davis

Image: Jones-Davis BRD manual

The Jones-Davis Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) is a funnel-style BRD shown to reduce bycatch by 58 percent by weight and retain 96 percent of shrimp in the net. There are two components to the BRD: the funnel and the fish-deflection cone.

Download Jones-Davis BRD Manual >

Also available:

3. Modified Jones Davis

Image: Modified Jones-Davis BRD manual

The Modified Jones-Davis Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) is a funnel-style BRD shown to reduce bycatch by 33 percent by weight while retaining upwards of 97 percent of shrimp in nets. It has two parts to be considered legal: a funnel and a fish deflection cone.

Download Modified Jones-Davis BRD Manual >

Coming soon:

4. Composite Panel BRD with Fish Deflector Cone

Image: Composite Panel BRD with Fish Deflector Cone manual

The Composite Panel Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) with a Fish Deflector Cone (Cone) is an effective BRD combination that has been shown to reduce total bycatch by at least 51.3 percent by weight with 91.8 percent shrimp retention. This certified BRD requires two components – the Composite Panel BRD extension (Figure 1) and the Fish Deflector Cone behind it.

Download Composite Panel Bycatch Reduction Device Manual >

Coming soon:

    • Spanish version
    • Vietnamese version

5. Composite Panel Reduction Device with a Square Mesh Panel

Image: Square Mesh BRD manual

The Composite Panel Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) with a Square Mesh Panel (SMP) is a highly effective BRD that has been shown to reduce total bycatch by at least 49.9 percent by weight with only one percent shrimp loss. This certified BRD requires two components – the Composite Panel BRD extension and the SMP in the codend.

Download Square Mesh Panel Composite Panel Manual >

Also available:

Quick Check Guides

Two easy reference guides for the most commonly found BRDs in the Gulf of Mexico.