Development of a trawl efficiency device (TED) for Australian prawn fisheries. II. Field evaluations of the AusTED

Abstract

Concerns about Australian bycatch issues lead to the development of an innovative bycatch reduction system designed for Australian trawling conditions. The system, known as the Australian trawl efficiency device (AusTED), incorporates features of previous TEDs, but includes a flexible grid. The AusTED was tested at five selected locations, which ranged from shallow, estuarine, mud-bottom sites to deep-water, oceanic, sand-bottom sites. No significant differences were observed in prawn catch rates between control and AusTED equipped nets. Sea turtles and large stingrays were excluded from the AusTED equipped net and non-commercial bycatch was significantly reduced at most sites trawled. The AusTED system has the potential to be developed to suit the bycatch exclusion requirements of prawn trawl fisheries around Australia. Its acceptance by the fishing industry will depend upon the minimisation of prawn losses.