The 1/5 scale–down model of the Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) from an Argentinean demersal trawl was tested in a circulating water channel. The BRD is designed to help small Hake (merluza, merluccius hubbsi) to escape from a trawl. It is settled in front of a trawl codend, and is equipped with selection grids that help small fish to escape from the gear and guiding panels that help fish to meet with the grids. Bars of the grids are wires covered by the PVC and other parts of the BRD are made of net. When the velocity was less than 0.65 m/sec (2.81 Kont when translated to real towing speed) which is slow speed compared with real towing speed, position between an upper guiding panel and an upper selection grid were good to help small fish to escape. When the velocity was more than 0.8 m/sec (3.41 Knot when translated to real towing speed) which is similar to and faster than real towing speed, it was considered that small fish may have difficulties in escaping because the gap was not enough between an upper guiding panel and an upper selection grid. The lower selection grid was sat on the bottom of the tank without an angle due to the weight that it carries. Improvements were proposed to position the panels and the grids better.

• 차봉진(국립수산과학원 시스템공학과) | Bong–Jin CHA (Fisheries System Engineering Division, National Fisheries Research & Development Institute, Busan 619–902, Korea) Corresponding author
• 로쓰리카르도(아르헨티나 국립수산과학원) | Ricardo ROTH (Fishing Gear Development, Methods of Capture and Technology Transference Program, National Institute for Fishery Research and Development)
• 조삼광(국립수산과학원 시스템공학과) | Sam–Kang CHO (Fisheries System Engineering Division, National Fisheries Research & Development Institute, Busan 619–902, Korea)