Reducing bycatch with better technology in the Gulf of California shrimp fishery; Final technical and financial report to the Walton Family Foundation, submitted by World Wildlife Fund

Bycatch reduction device prototypes ("RS_INP") (industrial and artisanal versions) were tested on vessels targeting shrimp in the Gulf of California to compare bycatch-to-shrimp ratios, catch efficiency, drag resistence indicators, fuel consumption rate and selectivity with traditional versions.  The industrial version of the prototype reduced bycatch-to-shrimp ratios from 20-50% and shrimp production was not reduced.  The artisanal prototype also reduced bycatch-to-shrimp ratios in trawl fishing gear but comparisons were difficult to make between drift gillnets.  Catch efficiency was higher with the prototype (3.6 shrimp kg/hr) compared to the traditional gear (0.9 shrimp kg/hr) and the prototype offered less resistance to drag (871-730 drag force) compared to the traditional gear (1150-1194 drag force).  Fuel consumption was also less with the prototype than with traditional gear.  The taxonomic composition of the catch was very similar for the prototype and traditional fishing gear.