346
The Biology of Sea Turtles, Vol. II
tion models have demonstrated a need to further decrease mortality in the benthic
and oceanic pelagic stages of loggerheads in order to move these stable or declining
subpopulations towards recovery (NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center,
2001; Heppell et al., in press, b). One identified management action that would
result in fewer deaths of large benthic sea turtles would be to require larger TED
openings. NMFS issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking in April 2000
and is pursuing a final rule to require larger openings in all areas (Department of
Commerce, 2000).
13.5 IMPLEMENTATION OF TEDS IN SHRIMP
FISHERIES WORLDWIDE
During the development of TEDs in the U.S., scuba-diver observations indicated
behavorial differences in fish and shrimp that could be used to separate shrimp from
finfish (Watson et al., 1986). Design modifications of the original TED were effective
in reducing finfish bycatch, and TED also became the acronym worldwide for trawl
efficiency device. While the U.S. was grappling with implementation of TEDs, other
countries were beginning to investigate their use, often for their potential to reduce
finfish bycatch. One of the first countries to require TEDs was Indonesia (Oravetz
and Grant, 1986). After learning about TEDS, rather than ending their joint venture
with the Japanese, as contemplated, Indonesia decided to allow the Japanese fishermen to fish inside Indonesian waters with TED-equipped nets and Indonesian
crews. At the time, other countries throughout the world were inquiring about TEDs
and some, like Australia, were beginning to experiment with them.
13.5.1 I MPLEMENTATION OF TED S IN A USTRALIA *
All marine turtles occurring in Australian waters are listed as either endangered or
vulnerable on the Australian Endangered Species Act of 1992. Australian trawlers had
used systems to reduce jellyfish and had tested various experimental designs, but still
resisted the introduction of TEDs, citing handling and safety concerns and a concern
about loss of prawns (Mounsey et al., 1995). In the early 1990s Australia introduced
TEDs into the prawn fisheries of at least three regions. In the northern fisheries, sea
turtle bycatch was driving the implementation of TEDs and groups outside the fishing
community (e.g., conservationists and government) were pushing the issue. In
1989–1990, 5000–6000 turtles were estimated captured annually in the northern fishery
(Poiner and Harris, 1996). In another fishery off the east coast of Queensland, annual
captures were estimated to be 5295 ± 1231 (Robins, 1995). In New South Wales finfish
bycatch was the driving factor and reduction in bycatch was being pushed by representatives of other fisheries, commercial and recreational, as well as by the government.
In Gulf St. Vincent, a southern fishery, catch of small prawns and fish was the driving
factor and bycatch reduction was championed by the fishermen themselves. The
approach to introduce the TEDs differed in each area, and many designs were tested
or developed (e.g., AusTED and AusTED II) (Brewer et al., 1998).
* Much of the discussion concerning Australia’s implementation of TEDs is from Kennelly (1999).
1123 book.book Page 346 Thursday, November 14, 2002 11:50 AM
The Biology of Sea Turtles, Vol. II
tion models have demonstrated a need to further decrease mortality in the benthic
and oceanic pelagic stages of loggerheads in order to move these stable or declining
subpopulations towards recovery (NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center,
2001; Heppell et al., in press, b). One identified management action that would
result in fewer deaths of large benthic sea turtles would be to require larger TED
openings. NMFS issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking in April 2000
and is pursuing a final rule to require larger openings in all areas (Department of
Commerce, 2000).
13.5 IMPLEMENTATION OF TEDS IN SHRIMP
FISHERIES WORLDWIDE
During the development of TEDs in the U.S., scuba-diver observations indicated
behavorial differences in fish and shrimp that could be used to separate shrimp from
finfish (Watson et al., 1986). Design modifications of the original TED were effective
in reducing finfish bycatch, and TED also became the acronym worldwide for trawl
efficiency device. While the U.S. was grappling with implementation of TEDs, other
countries were beginning to investigate their use, often for their potential to reduce
finfish bycatch. One of the first countries to require TEDs was Indonesia (Oravetz
and Grant, 1986). After learning about TEDS, rather than ending their joint venture
with the Japanese, as contemplated, Indonesia decided to allow the Japanese fishermen to fish inside Indonesian waters with TED-equipped nets and Indonesian
crews. At the time, other countries throughout the world were inquiring about TEDs
and some, like Australia, were beginning to experiment with them.
13.5.1 I MPLEMENTATION OF TED S IN A USTRALIA *
All marine turtles occurring in Australian waters are listed as either endangered or
vulnerable on the Australian Endangered Species Act of 1992. Australian trawlers had
used systems to reduce jellyfish and had tested various experimental designs, but still
resisted the introduction of TEDs, citing handling and safety concerns and a concern
about loss of prawns (Mounsey et al., 1995). In the early 1990s Australia introduced
TEDs into the prawn fisheries of at least three regions. In the northern fisheries, sea
turtle bycatch was driving the implementation of TEDs and groups outside the fishing
community (e.g., conservationists and government) were pushing the issue. In
1989–1990, 5000–6000 turtles were estimated captured annually in the northern fishery
(Poiner and Harris, 1996). In another fishery off the east coast of Queensland, annual
captures were estimated to be 5295 ± 1231 (Robins, 1995). In New South Wales finfish
bycatch was the driving factor and reduction in bycatch was being pushed by representatives of other fisheries, commercial and recreational, as well as by the government.
In Gulf St. Vincent, a southern fishery, catch of small prawns and fish was the driving
factor and bycatch reduction was championed by the fishermen themselves. The
approach to introduce the TEDs differed in each area, and many designs were tested
or developed (e.g., AusTED and AusTED II) (Brewer et al., 1998).
* Much of the discussion concerning Australia’s implementation of TEDs is from Kennelly (1999).
1123 book.book Page 346 Thursday, November 14, 2002 11:50 AM