Fisheye bycatch reduction device

The fisheye is a type of bycatch reduction device (BRD). The fisheye 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.

Research found that the fisheye BRD reduced the sea snake catch rate by 63% compared to a net without a BRD, with no reduction in the catch rate of marketable prawns. There is support from industry for the use of fisheye BRDs in the prawn sector.

In the Queensland east coast trawl fishery, BRDs are mandatory for all otter trawl nets and all beam trawl nets. For the full specifications of BRDs, check the fisheries legislation.

Fisheye BRD specifications

Distance of opening from drawstring

• Otter prawn nets: 66 meshes
• Beam trawl nets: 80 meshes

Minimum width of opening

• Otter prawn nets: 350mm
• Beam trawl nets: 230mm

Minimum height of opening

• Otter prawn nets: 150mm
• Beam trawl nets: 100mm

Additional specifications

• 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.

Also consider...

• Read more about reducing the impact of trawl fishing on protected sea snakes.
• Read the final report of BRD research in the Queensland east coast otter trawl fishery.
• Find out more about turtle excluder devices (TEDs).