Evaluation of the impacts of Turtle Excluder Devices (TED's) on shrimp catch rates in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, March 1988 through July 1989.

Abstract

Trained National Marine Fisheries Service observers collected information from March 1988-July 1989 on catch rates of shrimp and finfish from commercial shrimp vessels voluntarily participating in this study. Data were compared between TED-equipped nets (Georgia TED with and without an accelerator funnel) and standard shrimp nets. This represents partial fulfillment of OMB and House Appropriations Committee requirements with respect to TEDs and their economic impact on the shrimp fishery. This report summarizes preliminary results through July 1989, including 4159 hours of fishing time. When the study is completed in September 1990, a comprehensive economic analysis will be completed with these data by Texas A&M University.