Spotlight Research Project

“Development and Assessment of Bycatch Reduction Devices within the Southeastern Shrimp Trawl Fishery” - NA08NMF4330406 #105

This project involves field testing of up to three new or promising bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) for certification following the NMFSBRD Certification Testing Protocol for the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic.  The objectives of the project are to:

1. Solicit and test new and/or promising BRDs that show potential for reducing the quantity of bycatch incidentally harvested during shrimp trawling efforts;
2. Quantify the bycatch reduced by new and/or promising experimental BRDs within the EEZ of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic;
3. Calculate reduction rates for each BRD tested to include total shrimp, finfish, and total bycatch for certification purposes, and estimate red snapper fishing mortality (F);
4. Increase the shrimp industry’s participation in BRD research and development to enhance fisheries management awareness and involvement; and
5. Provide improved data collection on the extent of bycatch of small coastal sharks in the Gulf and South Atlantic shrimp fisheries, particularly blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus) and smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata).

Devices are being field tested aboard commercial fishing vessels with onboard observers collecting data outlined within the testing protocols.  Collected data will be analyzed to identify the reduction in fishing mortality achieved by BRDs.  To increase industry’s involvement in the process of BRD research and development, the Foundation has solicited industry designed BRDs, contributed funds for industry BRD development, and reimbursed the travel of industry members to Panama City, FL to observe underwater hydrodynamic performance tests of fishing gear conducted by NMFS gear specialists.   

A BRD assessment trip is currently being conducted in the Gulf of Mexico.  The Ricky BRD (double-fisheye array) and the 2-inch Flat Bar TED are being tested for bycatch reduction.  The trip is slated to last 30-45 days.  The Foundation expects to gather enough data to allow for either certification or provisional certification one of the two BRDs during this trip.