Current TED Requirements
There are currently no TED requirements for this fishery.
New Measures Under Consideration
- TEDs (TI, TII, Flexible Flatbar Flynet TED, other approved TEDs) with the larger escape opening in the croaker/weakfish fishery to allow sea turtles to escape trawl gear.
- Limited tow times with data loggers, if feasible and enforceable, as an alternative to the TED requirement to provide flexibility to the fishery.
Research
TI cable TED
![]()
![]()
![]()
Catch Retention Testing
- Target catch: Between 19-77% loss. High variability between tows due to sampling design and high volume catch in the fishery. Croaker catches of over 20,000 pounds were landed with the cable TED installed.
- Other bycatch (e.g., large rays, sharks): Ten times lower with cable TED installed
TII Cable TED
Catch Retention Testing
- Target catch: 16% loss (tested in Suriname)
- Other bycatch: Significantly reduced
![]()
![]()
Flexible Flatbar Flynet TED
![]()
![]()
Catch Retention Testing
- Target catch: Non-statistically significant 4% loss of croaker
- Other target catch: Significant loss of other target species (e.g., bluefish and menhaden)
- Other bycatch: Significantly reduced
Data loggers
Trawl tow durations of less than one hour are expected to result in low turtle mortality. Tow duration data loggers measure the amount of time the net is in the water beyond a certain depth. The logger, which is attached to the trawl door, is ruggedized to withstand marine conditions and handling on deck. The data logger indicates when tow durations have been exceeded, allowing for monitoring and enforcement.
Feasibility Testing
Data loggers were found to reliably record and monitor limited tow durations and withstand fishing conditions. We are continuing to test the latest technology to ensure that the monitoring and enforcement of limited tow durations is feasible.
References
Your Feedback Is Important
What Else Are We Considering?
Help us by providing information!
Feedback Received
The Fishadelphia team. Credit: Dr. Talia Young.
Right whale #3853 swimming north offshore of South Carolina on Jan. 20, 2011 with a series of fresh propeller wounds running across its back. The whale was observed 5 days previously offshore of Georgia without propeller wounds. It is unknown whether the whale survived its wounds or not, as it has not been re-sighted since. Vessel collisions are a leading cause of right whale mortality. Credit: EcoHealth Alliance (NOAA permit #594-1759).
North Atlantic right whale Catalog #3560 ‘Snow Cone’ sighted December 2, 2021 entangled and with a new calf. Photo credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission taken under NOAA permit 20556.
Four North Atllantic right whales.