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Gillnets with three difference mesh sizes (2 7/8", 3" and 4") were modified to use 200 lbs/200 yard lead line and 11 oz buoyancy floats (versus 50lbs/200 yard lead line and 3 oz floats) to increase the tension in the net. Catch rates of Atlantic sharpnose and bonnethead sharks were significantly lower in the 4" modified net. The proportion of hammer-wrapped bonnethead sharks was significantly higher in the 4" unmodified net and significantly less blacktip sharks were wrapped in the 3" modified net. Selectivity of blacknose sharks varied between the modified and unmodified nets. Catch rates of targeted Spanish mackerel and spot were not significantly different between modified and unmodified nets.

Gillnets with three difference mesh sizes (2 7/8", 3" and 4") were modified to use 200 lbs/200 yard lead line and 11 oz buoyancy floats (versus 50lbs/200 yard lead line and 3 oz floats) to increase the tension in the net. Catch rates of Atlantic sharpnose and bonnethead sharks were significantly lower in the 4" modified net. The proportion of hammer-wrapped bonnethead sharks was significantly higher in the 4" unmodified net and significantly less blacktip sharks were wrapped in the 3" modified net. Selectivity of blacknose sharks varied between the modified and unmodified nets. Catch rates of targeted Spanish mackerel and spot were not significantly different between modified and unmodified nets.

Gillnets with three difference mesh sizes (2 7/8", 3" and 4") were modified to use 200 lbs/200 yard lead line and 11 oz buoyancy floats (versus 50lbs/200 yard lead line and 3 oz floats) to increase the tension in the net. Catch rates of Atlantic sharpnose and bonnethead sharks were significantly lower in the 4" modified net. The proportion of hammer-wrapped bonnethead sharks was significantly higher in the 4" unmodified net and significantly less blacktip sharks were wrapped in the 3" modified net. Selectivity of blacknose sharks varied between the modified and unmodified nets. Catch rates of targeted Spanish mackerel and spot were not significantly different between modified and unmodified nets.

Gillnets with three difference mesh sizes (2 7/8", 3" and 4") were modified to use 200 lbs/200 yard lead line and 11 oz buoyancy floats (versus 50lbs/200 yard lead line and 3 oz floats) to increase the tension in the net. Catch rates of Atlantic sharpnose and bonnethead sharks were significantly lower in the 4" modified net. The proportion of hammer-wrapped bonnethead sharks was significantly higher in the 4" unmodified net and significantly less blacktip sharks were wrapped in the 3" modified net. Selectivity of blacknose sharks varied between the modified and unmodified nets. Catch rates of targeted Spanish mackerel and spot were not significantly different between modified and unmodified nets.

The catches from five experimental trawls (TED + fisheye BRD, upward facing TED, downward facing TED, bigeye BRD and square-mesh panel BRD) were compared to those of the standard twin Florida Flyer prawn trawl. Nets with a combination of a TED and BRD reduced sea turtle catches by 100%, large sponges by 85.3%, sharks by 36.3% and rays by 17.7% and reduced the proportion of soft and damaged prawns by 41.6% and catches of tiger prawns by 6.5%. Upward and downward facing TEDs reduced sea turtle bycatch by 99% and 100% respectively and large sponges by 81.6% and 95.9% respectively. Catches of tiger prawns (P. semisulcatus and P. esculentus) were reduced by 6.3% with the use of TEDs. The BRDs had little impact on the catch of either target or bycatch species.

The catches from five experimental trawls (TED + fisheye BRD, upward facing TED, downward facing TED, bigeye BRD and square-mesh panel BRD) were compared to those of the standard twin Florida Flyer prawn trawl. Nets with a combination of a TED and BRD reduced sea turtle catches by 100%, large sponges by 85.3%, sharks by 36.3% and rays by 17.7% and reduced the proportion of soft and damaged prawns by 41.6% and catches of tiger prawns by 6.5%. Upward and downward facing TEDs reduced sea turtle bycatch by 99% and 100% respectively and large sponges by 81.6% and 95.9% respectively. Catches of tiger prawns (P. semisulcatus and P. esculentus) were reduced by 6.3% with the use of TEDs. The BRDs had little impact on the catch of either target or bycatch species.

The catches from five experimental trawls (TED + fisheye BRD, upward facing TED, downward facing TED, bigeye BRD and square-mesh panel BRD) were compared to those of the standard twin Florida Flyer prawn trawl. Nets with a combination of a TED and BRD reduced sea turtle catches by 100%, large sponges by 85.3%, sharks by 36.3% and rays by 17.7% and reduced the proportion of soft and damaged prawns by 41.6% and catches of tiger prawns by 6.5%. Upward and downward facing TEDs reduced sea turtle bycatch by 99% and 100% respectively and large sponges by 81.6% and 95.9% respectively. Catches of tiger prawns (P. semisulcatus and P. esculentus) were reduced by 6.3% with the use of TEDs. The BRDs had little impact on the catch of either target or bycatch species.

The catches from five experimental trawls (TED + fisheye BRD, upward facing TED, downward facing TED, bigeye BRD and square-mesh panel BRD) were compared to those of the standard twin Florida Flyer prawn trawl. Nets with a combination of a TED and BRD reduced sea turtle catches by 100%, large sponges by 85.3%, sharks by 36.3% and rays by 17.7% and reduced the proportion of soft and damaged prawns by 41.6% and catches of tiger prawns by 6.5%. Upward and downward facing TEDs reduced sea turtle bycatch by 99% and 100% respectively and large sponges by 81.6% and 95.9% respectively. Catches of tiger prawns (P. semisulcatus and P. esculentus) were reduced by 6.3% with the use of TEDs. The BRDs had little impact on the catch of either target or bycatch species.

The catches from five experimental trawls (TED + fisheye BRD, upward facing TED, downward facing TED, bigeye BRD and square-mesh panel BRD) were compared to those of the standard twin Florida Flyer prawn trawl. Nets with a combination of a TED and BRD reduced sea turtle catches by 100%, large sponges by 85.3%, sharks by 36.3% and rays by 17.7% and reduced the proportion of soft and damaged prawns by 41.6% and catches of tiger prawns by 6.5%. Upward and downward facing TEDs reduced sea turtle bycatch by 99% and 100% respectively and large sponges by 81.6% and 95.9% respectively. Catches of tiger prawns (P. semisulcatus and P. esculentus) were reduced by 6.3% with the use of TEDs. The BRDs had little impact on the catch of either target or bycatch species.

The catches from five experimental trawls (TED + fisheye BRD, upward facing TED, downward facing TED, bigeye BRD and square-mesh panel BRD) were compared to those of the standard twin Florida Flyer prawn trawl. Nets with a combination of a TED and BRD reduced sea turtle catches by 100%, large sponges by 85.3%, sharks by 36.3% and rays by 17.7% and reduced the proportion of soft and damaged prawns by 41.6% and catches of tiger prawns by 6.5%. Upward and downward facing TEDs reduced sea turtle bycatch by 99% and 100% respectively and large sponges by 81.6% and 95.9% respectively. Catches of tiger prawns (P. semisulcatus and P. esculentus) were reduced by 6.3% with the use of TEDs. The BRDs had little impact on the catch of either target or bycatch species.