As part of the Queensland Government's commitment to taking by-catch off our beaches, a project has been developed to help the East Coast Trawl Fishery reduce its bycatch by switching to more effective bycatch reduction devices (BRDs).

The project has been developed by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) through Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF).

Three devices are being promoted in this project:

• turtle excluder devices (TEDs)
• square mesh codend (SMC)
• fisheye bycatch reduction devices

Three three major strategies have been developed to promote the use of these devices:

• a rebate scheme for SMCs and upgraded TEDs
• testing of new and improved BRD designs
• extension and education program.

Reducing bycatch in the trawl fishery not only ensures the fishery causes minimal ecological impact, it also can improve the efficiency of fishing operations. A reduction in bycatch also results in:

• improved product quality as large non-target species are prevented from entering nets and damaging product
• reduced operating costs due to reduced drag and better fuel efficiency
• cleaner shots, which reduces sorting time
• safer working conditions as handling of large and sometimes dangerous non-target species is reduced.

Turtle excluder devices (TEDs)

TEDs exclude turtles and other large marine species (such as sharks, rays and sponges) from trawl nets, and are compulsory throughout the east coast trawl fishery.
Design specifications have recently been amended in fisheries legislation to improve protection of turtles and to meet strict accreditation standards set by the US. These amendments aim to allow the export of Queensland-caught prawns to the US market.

Square mesh codends (SMCs)

SMCs have been trialled in the Queensland scallop fishery and are already being used by a number of trawlers. SMCs, when made to specification and used with a TED, can reduce bycatch by up to 77% and also reduce capture of undersized scallop with no loss of legal sized scallops.

Fisheye bycatch reduction devices

A recent study on sea snake capture in the trawl fishery has shown that up to 62% fewer protected sea snakes are captured when a Fisheye BRD is fitted to nets.
The highest proportion of sea snake capture occurred in the red-spot king prawn sector of the fishery. The use of Fisheyes in this sector will significantly reduce sea snake deaths caused by the trawl fishery.

The rebate scheme

A $1 million rebate scheme for the East Coast Trawl Fishery is available to help fishers change to using alternative, more effective BRDs.

Fishers who purchase SMCs for use in the scallop fishery or updated TEDs throughout the entire fishery may be eligible for the rebate.

The rebate scheme will assist fishers to test SMCs for real world effectiveness with the view that eventually they will become compulsory in the scallop fishery. It also provides assistance to fishers who are required to update their TEDs to meet the new specifications due to be introduced in early 2010.

For further details including specifications for SMCs and TEDs and the relevant rebate periods, see the SMC and TED rebate scheme guidelines.

QPIF has mailed all relevant fishers a copy of the rebate guidelines and the SMC and TED rebate scheme application form. The guidelines and the application form can also be downloaded below.

In the coming months, officers from QPIF will conduct port visits at a number of locations around Queensland to raise awareness of the rebate scheme and encourage uptake of the new TED and BRD specifications.

Testing of alternative BRDs

The testing program for alternative BRD designs includes proposals to:

• trial SMCs in the shallow water eastern king prawn sector
• send newly modified TED designs to the United States for testing
• develop improved bycatch reduction devices for the beam trawl sector of the fishery.

Education and extension

An extension and education program is being implemented that aims to increase the uptake of these new and improved bycatch reduction devices. The program will include:

• guidelines on construction and use of the devices
• guidelines on how to apply for the rebate
• provision of independent expert technical advice
• preparation of a gear library
• port visits
• net maker engagement
• program evaluation.