Sea trials of an exciting new industry-designed bycatch reduction device (BRD) will take place in the Gulf of Carpentaria over the next two weeks. The device, called ‘Kons Covered Fisheyes’, has been designed by Kon Triantopoulos, a former skipper and now net maker for A Raptis & Sons, and will be trailed on a trawler owned by Tropic Ocean Prawns Pty Ltd to determine its effectiveness in reducing small fish bycatch caught during prawn trawling operations.
An AFMA observer and AFMA bycatch officer will be on-board to collect and record data and perhaps witness BRD breakthrough.
In July 2015, NPF Industry agreed to pursue an additional 30 per cent bycatch reduction in the NPF over three years as part of their 2015-2018 Bycatch Strategy. To stimulate innovation in this area, NPF Industry Pty Ltd (NPFI) is encouraging operators to undertake their own trials of new or modified bycatch reduction devices or gear modifications.
Three new devices were trialled by Raptis in 2015 with encouraging results for the modified fisheye device (‘Kons Covered Fisheyes’) showing a 19% reduction in bycatch with minimal (<2 per cent) prawn loss when compared to a net with the currently approved BRD. A ‘trials guide’ was developed by NPFI and CSIRO to ensure consistency in trial design and the collection and recording of data.
The ‘Kons Covered Fisheyes’ will go in the running to win up to $20 000 in prize money offered by NPFI. NPFI Chief Executive Officer, Annie Jarrett, said the incentive program is aimed at encouraging NPF fishers to use their skills and knowledge to develop new and innovative ways to reduce bycatch.
“The combination of industry innovation and incentives, and AFMA support for the NPF trials is a great example of industry and Government working together to achieve greater sustainability of Commonwealth fisheries,” Ms Jarrett said.
AFMA’s Northern Fisheries Senior Manager, Steve Bolton, said it’s great to see two companies working together to find innovative solutions to bycatch reduction in the NPF.
“I encourage other NPF operators to come up with new ideas for further testing to help the industry meet its 30 per cent bycatch reduction target by 2018,” Mr Bolton said.
For more information about the trials please contact NPFI’s Project Officer Adrianne Laird on 0409 237 024 or email adrianne@npfindustry,com.au