Brett's research program focuses on the study of bycatch – the incidental capture of non-target organisms that occurs during the process of fishing. He is interested in the role that Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs) and other technology can play in solving the global problem of bycatch, and how technological solutions compare in effectiveness to more conventional management strategies. Brett's case study system is the British Columbia spot prawn trap fishery, an industry lauded for its sustainable catches.