Voluntary Modifications to Commercial Shrimp Lazy Lines to Reduce Dolphin Entanglements
Implementing Organization
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$3,179,088
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
This project will benefit Gulf of Mexico bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) by decreasing the number of entanglements and associated mortality of dolphins in the lazy lines of commercial shrimp vessels. From 1993 to 2019, the majority of observed dolphin mortalities in the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery were caused by entanglement in lazy lines. Lazy lines are attached at the cod end of the net and float free during active trawling. As the net is hauled back, they are retrieved with a boat or grappling hook to guide and bring the full net back on board. Lazy lines are commonly made from polypropylene material, and are left relatively slack and loose in the water, which can readily loop and entangle a dolphin. Prior research has identified alternative materials for lazy lines that could less readily loop and entangle dolphins, and these materials show promise for additional testing. These materials are also likely to appeal to commercial shrimpers because these materials could help the shrimpers avoid dolphin entanglements without interfering with their fishing activity or reducing their catch. Phase 1 of the project will identify the most effective methods to reduce this entanglement with the following activities: * Support researchers and the fishing community cooperatively testing performance and usability of previously identified alternative lazy line materials; * Select the most effective and efficient material that maintains successful fishing while also decreasing the potential for lethal dolphin entanglements as determined by in-water testing; and * Develop a plan to maximize voluntary fleet-wide adoption of the i...click on "More Info" link below
Contact
Elizabeth Fetherston(727) 551-5796
Elizabeth.fetherston@noaa.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/