N.M.F.S.
Authorizes Additional Turtle Excluder Device (TED) Exemption
Posted:
2/20/06
In response
to requests made by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries and marine resource agencies in other Gulf states,
the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has authorized
a temporary extension exempting shrimp trawlers from federal
Turtle Excluder Device (TED) requirements in certain state
and federal waters.
Shrimp
trawlers fishing in inshore and offshore waters from the Florida/Alabama
border, westward to the Louisiana/Texas border, and offshore
a distance of 10 nautical miles are exempt from federal TED
requirements through March 18, 2006. However, due to the reported
decrease in storm-related debris in federal offshore waters,
this authorization extends no further than 10 nautical miles
seaward from the coast.
In lieu
of TEDs, this authorization requires shrimp trawlers to restrict
tow times to 75 minutes. Tow times are measured from the time
trawl doors enter the water until they are retrieved from
the water according to NMFS.
This exemption
from federal TED requirements is valid through 11:59 p.m.
on March 18, 2006, unless otherwise extended by NMFS. Federal
regulations provide for the use of limited tow times as an
alternative to the use of TEDs if determined "that the
presence of debris or other special environmental conditions
in a particular area makes trawling with TED-equipped nets
impracticable."
Debris
associated with the hurricanes continues to impact both shrimp
catch and TED performance and has damaged fishing gear as
well. NMFS encourages shrimp trawlers in the affected areas
to continue to use TEDs if possible. NMFS' studies have shown
that the problem of clogging by seagrass, algae, or by other
debris is not unique to TED-equipped nets. When fishermen
trawl in problem areas, they may experience clogging with
or without TEDs. Shrimp trawlers who continue to use legal
TEDs in the affected areas do not have to limit their tow
times. However, shrimpers choosing to use tow-time limitations
may not simply sew the TED flaps shut; they must remove the
TEDs from the trawls.
NMFS will
continue to monitor debris problems. If monitoring indicates
that debris is no longer a problem, then this authorization
may be shortened. If debris continues to be a problem after
the dates above, this authorization may be extended. Fishermen
should monitor NOAA weather radio for announcements or contact
the NMFS Southeast Regional Office at 727-824-5312.
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