Turtle excluder device

A trawl attachment that directs turtles and other large animals through an escape opening while retaining target catch in the net.

Trawl net: A fishing net dragged through water behind a vessel to catch animals in its path. The device is fitted into a trawl net and works within its moving water flow.
Shrimp trawling: A fishing method that drags nets along the seabed or through water to catch shrimp. Turtle excluder devices are widely used in shrimp trawls, where bycatch can be substantial.
Turtle escape panel: A flexible opening or panel in fishing gear intended to let turtles escape. Unlike a grid-based device, it uses a panel rather than rigid bars to create an exit.
Incidental capture of sea turtles: The unintended capture of sea turtles in fishing gear, including trawl nets. The device was developed to reduce this source of injury and mortality.
Turtle excluder device performance: The measured ability of a turtle excluder device to release turtles while retaining target catch. Performance testing weighs escape rates against losses of marketable catch.
Grid-based turtle excluder device: A turtle excluder device that uses an inclined grid to guide large animals toward an escape opening. Its grid separates large animals from target catch before they reach the cod end.
Bycatch: Animals caught unintentionally while fishing for other species. Reducing the capture of turtles and other large animals is the device's central purpose.
Bycatch reduction device: Fishing-gear equipment designed to reduce the capture of animals not targeted by a fishery. This broader class includes devices that exclude species other than turtles.
Sea turtle conservation: The protection and recovery of sea turtle populations and their habitats. Reducing trawl deaths contributes to broader efforts to conserve sea turtles.
Post-release survival: The survival of an animal after it escapes capture or is released from fishing gear. Escaping the net does not guarantee survival if an animal is injured or exhausted.

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