Year:
2006
Journal/Publisher Name:
Australian Government, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Bureau of Rural Sciences, Project No. 2001/008
Contact information:
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
PO Box 222
Deakin West, ACT 2600, Australia
Summary:
Several designs of seal exclusion devices (SEDs) were tested to reduce bycatch of seals in the winter blue grenadier trawl fishery. A 'top-hatch' SED, or one with a top-mounted escape hatch, resulted in the lowest occurrence of seal bycatch than any other SED design or than nets without a SED. The SED prevented entry into the net codend where drownings occurred. They also successfully expelled seals and limited access into the net via the escape hatch. Cameras are needed to verify the results.