Prototype Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) Proof of Concept Data

The data set contains data from the initial “Proof of Concept” research and development phase of shrimp trawl Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) conducted off of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama by the Harvesting Systems Unit of NOAA Fisheries Service, Mississippi Laboratories. Prototype BRD designs are tested during paired comparisons where the catch of the BRD test net is compared to a net with no BRD (control). The dataset contains the tow information, catch, and length frequency data obtained during the trials. Proof of concept testing generally has a low number of trials and often the BRDs are altered slightly between tows. BRD designs that show promise are provided to the NOAA Fisheries Service Shrimp Trawl Observer Program for full certification tests. Data collected during the certification tests are housed in the observer program database.