The impact of turtle excluder devices and bycatch reduction devices on diverse tropical marine communities in Australia's northern prawn trawl fishery

摘要: Abstract In 2001, paired-trawl comparisons were made during prawn trawl operations to assess the effect of turtle excluder devices and bycatch reduction on a range species groups caught in tropical Australia. This study is one first evaluate commercial use these fishery. Nets with combination device reduced catches turtles by 99%, seasnakes 5%, sharks 17.7%, rays 36.3%, large sponges 85.3%, small 8%, however, results largely attributable influence devices. both also catch commercially important prawns 6%, but proportion soft damaged was 41%. The had no measurable impact any three byproduct groups: Thenus spp. (Moreton Bay bugs), Teuthoidea (squid) Amusium pleuronectes (scallops). Turtles numbers larger (>1 m) 86% 94%, respectively. They did not reduce total number sawfish caught, most commonly – narrow (Anoxypristis cuspidata) 73.3%. Upward- downward-excluding performed about equally for groups, although upward excluders more effective less sponges. performance BRDs poor could be improved using them positions such as closer codend catch. major step towards ensuring long-term conservation many species, especially endangered sea vulnerable elasmobranchs. As fishers become experienced their use, we are optimistic that fishery's will even further.