Bigeye bycatch reduction devices

The bigeye bycatch reduction device (BRD) has an opening (horizontal slit) held open with floats and weights, and is located a set distance from the drawstring.

Refer to the Fisheries (Commercial Fisheries) Regulation 2019 for full specifications.

All bigeye BRDs

• The opening must be at the top of the net.
• During trawling the opening has a weighted forward section and a buoyed rear section with at least two 50mm by 90mm floats attached.
• The edges of the opening do not overlap by more than 200mm.
• Do not cover any part of the opening during trawling.

Otter prawn nets

• Distance of opening from drawstring (A in diagram): 66 meshes.
• Minimum width of opening (B in diagram): 350mm.

Beam trawl nets

• Distance of opening from drawstring (A in diagram): 80 meshes.
• Minimum width of opening (B in diagram): 230mm.

Diagram

Enlarge image of Diagram showing a bigeye bycatch reduction device being used in combination with a turtle excluding device.

Diagram showing a Bigeye bycatch reduction device being used in combination with a turtle excluding device.