Reduction of Marine Mammal Fishery Interactions through Trawl Technique and Component Material Improvements
Implementing Organization
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; State of Mississippi
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$3,090,000
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees (NRDA)
Funding Program
Natural Resource Damage Assessment NRDA
Details
Project Category
Environmental
Project Actions
Species Restoration
Targeted Resources
Marine Mammals
Project Description
The project is intended to provide restoration benefits to Gulf of Mexico common bottlenose dolphins by decreasing the number of interactions and mortality in commercial shrimp skimmer trawls in Mississippi state waters, while maintaining catch efficiency and fishing performance/usability. The project team will work with researchers and the fishing community to evaluate the performance and usability of both trawl coves and trawls constructed of alternative trawl net material and gear configurations for reduced dolphin interactions and fishing performance. Drones and acoustic underwater cameras will also be explored for use in observing dolphin behavior during trawling operations.
Contact
Chris Wells(601) 961-5545
cwells@mdeq.ms.gov
Project Website
None
For official trustee information regarding the Deepwater Horizon NRDA, including information regarding the NRDA process and the status of projects, see https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/