Shrimp_TurtleExcluderDevices_Boudreaux_Deyaun_LagunaVistaTX_24February2000_Reel2082.mp3

Deyaun Boudreaux [00:00:01] We're required to have turtle excluder devices in our nets, and we believe that they exclude turtles. They were originally developed as a trawl efficiency device because the shrimp fishery wants a clean catch.

Deyaun Boudreaux [00:00:22] There is good reason to exclude everything but the shrimp. If you're catching a lot of shrimp and you have things other than shrimp in your net, it can lower the quality of the shrimp naturally because they're so delicate they can be broken or otherwise damaged by too much of other things that you don't want.

Deyaun Boudreaux [00:00:44] So we're all for efficiency in the trawl. Now they've been refined and changed into turtle excluder devices. They do cause a shrimp loss. We have figured out including the cost of the equipment, the drag, the extra drag on the engine because of of the, this extra piece of gear and its weight and the shrimp loss. And for us to do this costs about $40,000 per vessel per year.

Deyaun Boudreaux [00:01:20] But there it's a regulation. And like every other American, we want to see the sea turtles survive. And as long as it's a regulation, we will comply.

Deyaun Boudreaux [00:01:35] Things are happening that that indicate that the sea turtles are gaining in numbers in the Gulf of Mexico. The surveys, the nestings, the number of hatchlings all indicate that the sea turtle's numbers are improving.

Deyaun Boudreaux [00:01:53] And it's impossible to know whether or not the excluder device has contributed or whether protection of the nesting area has been the key factor.

Deyaun Boudreaux [00:02:06] But whatever is going on, we feel encouraged and we know that we've been a part of the effort.