NOAA Fisheries has been investigating gear modifications to reduce mortality of incidentally bycaught sea turtles in Atlantic trawl fisheries. While final operational feasibility research is completed, we have been collecting information from the public to inform future management measures.
|
Given the results of previous research, we are considering:
- Requiring TEDs with a large escape opening in trawls that target Atlantic croaker, weakfish, and longfin squid to reduce injury and mortality resulting from accidental capture in these fisheries.
- Moving the current northern boundary of the TED requirements in the summer flounder fishery (i.e., the Summer Flounder Fishery-Sea Turtle Protection Area) to a point farther north to more comprehensively address capture in this fishery.
- Amending the TED requirements for the summer flounder fishery to require a larger escape opening to allow the release of larger hard-shelled and leatherback sea turtles.
- Adding an option requiring limited tow durations, if feasible and enforceable, in lieu of TEDs in these fisheries to provide flexibility to the fisheries.
Where can you find more information?
Written comments may be submitted to nmfs.gar.turtletrawl@noaa.gov. The comment period closes on May 31, 2022, but any additional input will be accepted at the same email address as we move forward. Background information, descriptions of gear designs, research results, type of information needed, and recordings from informational webinars can be found on our website.
|
