Square mesh panel bycatch reduction devices

The square mesh panel codend bycatch reduction device (BRD) is made up of an inner and outer panel of different sized square mesh at a set distance from the drawstring.

The mesh is specifically designed to exclude target-sized fish.

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

All square mesh panels

• Nothing is allowed to cover any of the square meshes during trawling.

Otter trawl nets

Outer panel (A)

• Maximum distance of rear edge from drawstrings: 35 meshes
• Minimum mesh size: 45mm
• Minimum length: 700mm
• Minimum width: 550mm

Inner panel (B)

• Maximum distance of rear edge from drawstrings: 40 meshes
• Minimum mesh size: 55mm
• Minimum length: 300mm
• Minimum width: 250mm

Beam trawl nets

Outer panel (A)

• Maximum distance of rear edge from drawstrings: 60 meshes
• Minimum mesh size: 40mm
• Minimum length: 600mm
• Minimum width: 450mm

Inner panel (B)

• Maximum distance of rear edge from drawstrings: 65 meshes
• Minimum mesh size: 50mm
• Minimum length: 300mm
• Minimum width: 200mm

Diagram

Enlarge image of Diagram of a square mesh panel codend bycatch reduction device in use. There is a line from the tied off left hand end of the net showing a distance of 35 meshes from the tie off to the panel on the top of the condend. Fish are shown swimming within the net, with small fish swimming toward the panel. There is a sub-diagram of the panel component beneath the larger net diagram showing the 70 centimetre minimum length across the panel and how Panel B sits within Panel A. Panel A has mesh that is dense, whereas Panel B's mesh is wider to allow fish to escape.

Diagram of a square mesh panel codend bycatch reduction device in use.