Objective: continue work to find and promote a better bycatch reduction device for use in the federal shrimp trawl industries in the gulf of mexico

Methodology: project team will engage with all levels of the gulf of mexico shrimp industry to promote proper use of current certified bycatch reduction devices, and if/when, promote use of newly certified bycatch reduction devices through outreach events, social media, and other outreach and education avenues. Rationale: NOAA deepwater horizon funds are seeking to increase pelagic fish populations and have chosen to use the GOM shrimp trawl industry as a vector by which this impact may be implemented. The shrimpers use the currently required bycatch reduction devices, but most only use one or two of the five options. This project aims to increase those options without increasing federal requirements. Furthermore, engagement with the industry throughout this process, including opinions fisheries data collected, aid in buy-in for project goals and hopefully uptake of new devices. Therefore, the critical role of outreach and education is filled via the sea grant engagement model. Data sharing plan: this project will generate no environmental data. All data collected as part of this contract will be shared between louisiana and texas sea grants, and with our federal partners at NOAA. Any data collected will be updated to the shared resource drive within six (6) months of its collection.