Sea Turtle Bycatch Results
Amendment 49: Modify Sea Turtle Release Gear and the Reef Fish Framework Procedure
The final rule for Amendment 49 adds three newly approved sea turtle release devices and updates the regulations to simplify and clarify the specifications for other release gear requirements. The new devices and updates provide more options to fulfill…
Effective
Atlantic Sea Scallop Turtle Deflector Dredge and Chain Mat Regulated Areas
To protect sea turtles, chain mats and Turtle Deflector Dredges (TDDs) must be used when fishing for scallops in waters west of 71° W. long., from the shoreline to the outer boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone, from May 1 through November 30…
Effective
Amendment of Virginia Pound Net Regulations
NOAA Fisheries issues this final rule amending the Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Plan (BDTRP) and its implementing regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The rule requires the year-round use of modified pound net leaders for…
Effective
Revised Limits on Sea Turtle Interactions in Hawaii Shallow-set Longline Fishery
In this final rule, NOAA Fisheries revises the annual number of incidental interactions allowed between the Hawaii-based shallow-set pelagic longline fishery, and leatherback and North Pacific loggerhead sea turtles. NOAA Fisheries also makes…
Effective
Revisions to Turtle Excluder Device Requirements
This rule revises the turtle excluder device (TED) requirements to allow the use of new materials and to modify existing approved TED designs. Specifically, this rule allows using flat bar, rectangular pipe, and oval pipe as construction material in…
Effective