Sea Turtle Conservation; Shrimp Trawling Requirements

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issues an interim final rule to add the double cover flap Turtle Excluder Device (TED) to the list of hard TEDs approved for use by shrimp trawlers operating in the Atlantic Ocean off the southeastern United States and in the Gulf of Mexico and as a TED approved for use without modification in a closed portion of the leatherback conservation zone. NMFS is adding this TED to these lists because upon completion of the testing protocols the TED has been found to meet all criteria for approval. The intent of this rule is to provide an additional option by which fishermen can comply with the requirement that all nets rigged for fishing in the Atlantic or Gulf Areas have an approved TED installed for use.