V-cut and bell codend bycatch reduction device

The v-cut and bell codend is a type of bycatch reduction device (BRD). This BRD includes a bell-shaped codend near the drawstring and a v-cut opening at a set distance from the drawstring.

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.

V-cut and bell codend BRD specifications

Bell codend (A in diagram)

• All otter trawl nets: at least the last 33 meshes of the codend must have a circumference of 150% of the rest of the codend.
• Beam trawl nets under 31mm: at least the last 50 meshes of the codend must have a circumference of 150% of the rest of the codend.
• Beam trawl nets 31mm or more: 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)

All otter trawl nets

• 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.

All beam trawl nets

• If mesh is under 31mm:
  • 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.
• If mesh is 31mm or more:
  • 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)

• All otter trawl nets: no more than 45 meshes.
• Beam trawl nets under 31mm: no more than 65 meshes.
• Beam trawl nets 31mm or more: no more than 55 meshes.

Additional specifications

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

Also consider...

• Read the final report of BRD research in the Queensland east coast otter trawl fishery.
• Find out more about turtle excluder devices (TEDs).