Better Bycatch Reduction Devices for the Gulf Commercial Shrimp Trawl Fishery

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New BRD Testing

Louisiana and Texas Sea Grant Programs are working with the Gulf shrimping industry and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to identify and promote new and potentially improved bycatch reduction devices for use in the Gulf commercial shrimp trawl fishery. For more information about this project, visit About the Better BRDs Project.

PHASE 1: PILOT TESTING

For initial industry testing, this phase included real-world trials on commercial vessels to test best placement, ease of use, durability, and industry preferences. There were no researcher or observer requirements during this phase of testing. Selected participants tested potential new devices in only one net across the Gulf.

PHASE 2: BRD vs. BRD TESTING

BRD vs BRD testing takes the new gear recommendations from pilot testing through more intensive, data-focused trials. Participants are to pull an experimental net with a proposed new BRD and a control net with the fisheye at 9 feet in their outside nets, making sure to swap the test nets every 2 days. A Sea Grant researcher will be onboard to record data from the paired nets. Sea Grant seeks data from across shrimp fisheries and across pre-defined areas of the Gulf. Priority will be given to vessels that meet the needs of the project upon application.