Hard Bycatch Reduction Devices for Bottom Trawls:A Review

Abstract

The term bycatch commonly refers to that part of a fisher’s catch which is not targeted. The importance of reducing bycatch and minimizing ecological impacts of fishing operations has been emphasized by scientists and fishery managers, and recognized by fishermen. FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries has given priority status to development and improvement of fishing technology that eliminates bycatch and selectively target fish in a way that promotes sustainability and conservation. Any device that can be used to reduce or exclude bycatch is generally known as bycatch reduction device (BRD). BRDs that have rigid structures in their construction are designated as hard BRDs. In this paper, significance of hard BRDs in bycatch reduction in trawls and different hard BRDs in vogue in world fisheries, are reviewed. Flat grid, bent grid, slotted grid, oval grid, hooped and fixed angle grid BRDs, BRDs with rigid escape slots, semi-flexible BRDs and combination BRDs are discussed.