Authorised modifications to prawn trawl gear

Authorised modifications to prawn trawl gear

Recent research demonstrates that minor modifications to trawl gears have the potential for substantial benefits including improving catches of target species, while reducing bycatch, drag (and therefore fuel use) and habitat impacts, culminating in fewer overall environmental impacts.

Opportunity is now available to voluntarily use these and other modifications, some of which are already lawful and others authorised by new Section 37 orders.

A copy of the orders can be found below, along with fact sheets describing all potentially beneficial modifications.

Estuary prawn trawl

Inshore and offshore prawn trawl

Deepwater prawn trawl