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Trawl Bycatch Mitigation
Non-target catch and bycatch in trawl nets is substantial, and there have been some bycatch reduction devices that have been developed to address this issue. One device has been developed specifically to reduce turtle bycatch. Turtle excluder devices (TEDs) were developed in the 80’s and 90’s in the U.S. and Australia as a way to specifically exclude turtles from trawl nets. A TED is a grid of bars with an opening either at the top or the bottom of the trawl net. The grid is fitted into the neck of a shrimp trawl net; shrimp can pass through the bars to reach the bag end of the trawl, but turtles are stopped by the grid bars and are ejected through the TED opening. Although TEDs do not prevent the turtle from encountering trawl gear, they are designed to minimize contact and prevent lethal entanglements. If implemented and used correctly, TEDs can be extremely effective at reducing turtle mortality from trawl gear.
Trawl Bycatch Mitigation Links:
- World Wildlife Fund – Smart Gear Competition
- FAO Equipment Fact Sheet – Super shooter for reducing marine mammal bycatch
- FAO Equipment Fact Sheet – Turtle excluder device for trawl gear
- Australian Fisheries Management Authority: Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)