What are BRDs?

Photo Credit: Melanie Thorn

Bycatch Reduction Devices, or BRDs, are added onto crab pots to prevent bycatch of Diamondback Terrapins. A common cause of death for diamondback terrapins is drowning in crab pots.

To learn more about BRDs explore the resources below.

BRDs Come in All Shapes & Sizes

Check your state regulations to see which BRD you need for your crab pot

What is bycatch?

Bycatch is the accidental capture of marine life while fishing or crabbing.

Using BRDs

Attach a BRD to each funnel (opening) on the commercial crab pot. Secure them with cable ties.

BRD Brochure

Make Your Own BRD

Why is it important to reduce bycatch and lost gear?

Lost fishing gear can still fish!

Lost or derelict crab pots will continue to catch marine life. Inserting a BRD onto each funnel opening will prevent bycatch while the pot is active, and if it is lost.

Lost crab pots also negatively impact blue crab fisheries. Blue crabs alongside bycatch like terrapins can die in lost gear. This can decrease the overall population of blue crabs.

Ghost Pot Recovery

Efforts to retrieve lost and derelict fishing gear is proven to increase the harvest of blue crabs and allow commercial crabbers to recover their lost pots, which otherwise would have been an economic loss.

Recovery Efforts and Testimonials