South Australian fishers are at the forefront of gear trials as part of a new project looking to evaluate the pros and cons of quad rig trawl systems. They’ll be comparing the quad rig to the traditionally used double rig systems.

Working alongside researchers and others, the fishers will explore the efficiency of quad rig trawl in increase fishing yield, value, and profitability. It will also test changes to the codend and trawl body to improve selectivity, including the use of LED lights, to reduce bycatch and minimise prawn loss. A cost benefit analysis will quantify the economic and productivity outcomes of prawn trawl gear modifications The findings could be extended to other Australian prawn trawl fisheries with similar needs.

Reckon this quad rig trawl could work for your fishery?

Kick the idea around with other fishers in our Wharf Talk (Channel 16) forum.

Project details are available at: FRDC Project 2023-039: Assessing the effectiveness of LEDs, T90 cod-end/grid trawl systems and net modifications for reducing bycatch and improving efficiency and selectivity of catches in South Australian prawn fisheries

Image Credit: Adapted from Scott-Denton et al., 2010

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