Fisheye bycatch reduction devices

The fisheye bycatch reduction device (BRD) is a semi-round opening held by a rigid triangular shaped frame at a set distance from the drawstring of the codend.

The effectiveness of the fisheye BRD decreases the further away it is installed from the codend drawstring.

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

All fisheye BRDs

• The opening must be held open by a rigid frame that consists of a semicircular shaped frame and an isosceles triangle shaped frame.
• The rigid frame must be installed with the apex of the triangular shaped section of the frame pointing towards the opening of the net.
• The semicircular shaped frame must be divided in half by a vertical bar and attached to the triangle shaped frame via a rigid bar running from the midpoint of the semicircular shaped frame to the apex of the triangular shaped frame.
• Nothing is allowed to cover any part of the opening during trawling. However, an additional strengthening bar may be attached from the apex of the triangular shaped frame to the semicircular frame.

Otter prawn nets

• Distance of opening from drawstring: 66 meshes.
• Minimum width of opening: 350mm.
• Minimum height of opening: 150mm.

Beam trawl nets

• Distance of opening from drawstring: 80 meshes.
• Minimum width of opening: 230mm.
• Minimum height of opening: 100mm.

Photo of a Fisheye bycatch reduction device, showing the triangular frame within a net.

Diagram of a Fisheye bycatch reduction device. This device has a triangular frame.