Effectiveness of bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) in the ocean shrimp (Pandalus jordani) trawl fishery

The requirement, in 2003, that trawl vessels fishing for ocean shrimp use bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) has reduced fish bycatch by between 66% and 88% from historical (pre-BRD) levels. Data collected from a trawl experiment testing a rigid-grate BRD with 19-mm bar spacing suggest that bycatch in the ocean shrimp fishery can be reduced further, perhaps below 5% of total catch.
Field Studies:

Location	Fishing gear	Reduction technique	Bycatch species	Effect on bycatch species	Catch	Effect on target catch	Type
off Washington, Oregon, and Northern California	Trawls		Bony Fishes	Reduction in levels by between 66% and 88% from historical levels	Ocean shrimp	7.2% shrimp loss when using 19-mm rigid-grate bycatch reduction device	In the wild