ADOPTING TURTLE EXCLUDER DEVICES IN AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED-STATES -WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES IN TECHNOLOGY-TRANSFER, PROMOTION, AND ACCEPTANCE

Turtle excluder devices (TEDs) are being trialed on a voluntary basis in many Australian prawn (shrimp) trawl fisheries to reduce sea turtle captures. Analysis of TED introductions into shrimp trawl fisheries o f the United States provided major insights into why conflicts occurre d between shrimpers, conservationists, and government agencies. A conf lict over the introduction and subsequent regulation of TEDs occurred because the ''problem'' and the ''solution'' were perceived differentl y by the various stakeholders. Attempts to negotiate and mediate the c onflict broke down, resulting in litigation against the U.S. governmen t by conservationists and shrimpers. Litigation was not an efficient r esolution to the sea turtle-TED-trawl conflict but it appears that lit igation was the only remaining path of resolution once the issue becam e polarized. We review two major Australian trawl fisheries to identif y any significant differences in circumstances that may affect TED acc eptance. Australian trawl fisheries are structured differently and goo d communication occurs between industry and researchers. TEDs are bein g introduced as mature technology. Furthermore, bycatch issues are of increasing concern to all stakeholders. These factors, combined with i nsights derived from previous conflicts concerning TEDs in the United Stares, increase the possibilities that TEDs will be introduced to Aus tralian fishers with better acceptance.