Trials of a High-lift Trawl Net for Bycatch Reduction

SESSF Industry Development Subprogram: Field trials of a high-lift trawl net for bycatch reduction

Data collected during this project has shown that the high-lift net has the potential to reduce catches of small, high-discard species such as small silver dory, blacktip cucumberfish and spikey dogfish. The ‘cost’ of a large decrease in discards was a reduction in the catch of commercially important deepwater flathead. Quality of the catch by the high-lift net was higher due to less damage to the fish in the codend, and shorter sorting times on deck because of reduced bycatch. Currently, four of the five trawl vessels operating out of Portland are using the high-lift net, and adoption by the wider trawl fleet may further reduce discard levels of small fish in accordance with Australian Fisheries Management Authority requirements.