V-cut and bell codend bycatch reduction devices

The V-cut and bell codend bycatch reduction device (BRD) has a:

• bell-shaped codend near the drawstring
• v-cut opening at a set distance from the drawstring.

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

All nets

• The opening must be in the top of the net.
• Nothing is allowed to cover any part of the opening during trawling.

Otter trawl nets

Bell codend (A in diagram):

• At least the last 33 meshes of the codend must have a circumference of 150% of the rest of the codend.

V-cut opening (B in diagram):

• Have 2 diagonal forward measurements of 10 bars of the net.
• Have a lateral measurement along its forward edge of 11 meshes of the net.

Distance between the drawstring and the v-cut (C in diagram):

• No more than 45 meshes.

Beam trawl nets

Nets under 31mm

Bell codend (A in diagram): at least the last 50 meshes of the codend must have a circumference of 150% of the rest of the codend.

V-cut opening (B in diagram):

• Must have 2 diagonal forward measurements of 15 bars of the net.
• Must have a lateral measurement along its forward edge of 16 meshes of the net.

Distance between the drawstring and the v-cut (C in diagram): no more than 65 meshes.

Nets 31mm or more

Bell codend (A in diagram):

• At least the last 40 meshes of the codend must have a circumference of 150% of the rest of the codend.

V-cut opening (B in diagram):

• Must have 2 diagonal forward measurements of 12 bars of the net.
• Must have a lateral measurement along its forward edge of 13 meshes of the net.

Distance between the drawstring and the v-cut (C in diagram):

• No more than 55 meshes.

Diagram

Enlarge image of A diagram of a V-cut and bell codend bycatch reduction device showing the device from both the top and side views. 

A diagram of a V-cut and bell codend bycatch reduction device showing the device from both the top and side views.