Evaluation of a Turtle Excluder Device Designed for Use in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic, Atlantic Croaker Fishery

In 1994, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP) documented sea turtle bycatch in the Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) and weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) trawl fishery off North Carolina. The fishery utilized a high opening bottom trawl locally known as a “flynet.” In 1998, the NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) initiated research to develop a Turtle Excluder Device (TED) for the flynet fishery. Over the next 10 years, numerous prototype designs were trialed in the fishery. In 2007, the Flexible Flatbar Flynet (FFF) TED was developed for the fishery and scheduled for catch retention trials. The specialized “trouser trawl” testing technique was utilized to conduct testing due to the highly variable catch rates of the fishery. The objectives of the study were to quantify the target and bycatch species catch loss associated with TED use in the Atlantic croaker targeted flynet fishery operating off North Carolina. In addition, usability testing was carried out to identify handling problems and specialized handling techniques required when using TEDs in this fishery. The study was carried out aboard contracted commercial vessels operating along the North Carolina coast and originating from Wanchese, NC. Results indicate that catch loss for the primary target species, Atlantic croaker, was not significant, averaging 3.9% (95%CI -15.5 to 7.8%; p<0.2229; power 0.996), while catch of other target species and primary bycatch species was significantly reduced. Usability testing proved invaluable during this study providing specialized handling techniques that prevented TED damage and facilitated deployment and retrieval processes.