Small Bar Turtle Excluder Devices

Overview

The Small Bar Turtle Excluder Device (TED) Project is a conservation initiative focused on enhancing the effectiveness of TEDs in shrimp trawl fisheries in the Gulf of America. Traditional TEDs, which are devices consisting of metal grids with 4-inch bar spacing placed in shrimp nets to allow sea turtles to escape, have been effective in allowing larger sea turtles to escape from shrimp nets. However, concerns have arisen about their effectiveness in excluding smaller sea turtles. To address this, the project explores TED designs with reduced bar spacing,to improve the exclusion of smaller turtles without significantly impacting shrimp catch. This effort is part of a broader strategy to mitigate bycatch and support the recovery of endangered sea turtle populations. Collaborations with shrimpers are integral to the project, ensuring that the modified TEDs are practical and do not impose undue burdens on the fishing industry. By refining TED designs, the project aims to balance ecological conservation with the economic viability of shrimp fisheries.