Abstract:
The term bycatch commonly refers to that part of a fisher's catch which is not targeted. The importance of red,ucing bycatch and minimizing ecological impacts of fishing operations has been emphasized by scientists and fishery managers, and recognized by fishermen. FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries has given priority status to development and improvement of fishing technology that eliminates bycatch and selectively target fish in a way that promotes sustainability and conservation. Any device that can be used to reduce or exclude bycatch is generally known as bycatch reduction device {BRO). BROs that have rigid structures in their construction are designated as hard BROs. In this paper, significance of hard BROs in bycatch reduction in trawls and different hard BROs in vogue in world fisheries, are reviewed. Flat grid, bent grid, slotted grid, oval grid, hooped and fixed angle grid BROs, BROs with rigid escape slots, semi-flexible BROs and combination BROs are discussed.
