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The Newsletter of the Diamondback Terrapin Working Group Volume 5 Issue 2
Winter 2020
The unintended capture, or bycatch, of diamondback terrapins in
commercial and recreational blue crab fisheries is one of the leading
causes of terrapin population declines. Terrapins that are captured
in fully submerged crab traps cannot reach the surface to breath and
may drown in a matter of minutes to hours. A Bycatch Reduction
Device (BRD) installed in the funnel opening of a crab trap prevents
terrapins from entering the trap by reducing the dimensions of the
funnel opening. BRDs are typically rectangular in shape and can be
constructed from plastic or heavy gauge wire. These devices are
inexpensive, easily installed, and proven to be effective at reducing
terrapin bycatch. Even so, BRDs face strong resistance from crabbers
due to the perceived effects on crab catch. Alterations in BRD
configuration or placement could alleviate some of the fishing
community concerns regarding BRD impacts on crab catch and
additional research and development of BRD designs is ongoing. The
large majority of studies to assess the effectiveness of BRDs have
shown no significant effect on crab catch and significant reductions in
terrapin bycatch. Given the strong evidence for the negative impacts
of fisheries interactions on terrapin populations and the effectiveness
of BRDs in reducing terrapin bycatch, a group of DTWG Officers and
Regional Representatives drafted a Position Statement on The
Negative Effects of Blue Crab Traps/Pots on Diamondback Terrapin
Populations and the Use of Bycatch Reduction Devices as a Practical,
Inexpensive Solution. The Position Statement was forwarded to the
DTWG Membership for an electronic vote in September 2020. The
Position Statement was supported unanimously by all 30 Members
who participated in the vote, and the Position Statement was
officially adopted in November 2020. You may access the Position
Statement on the DTWG website. Thank you to all