Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Sea Turtle Conservation Requirements; Taking of Threatened or Endangered Species Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations

NMFS is issuing an interim final rule to prohibit fishing with drift gillnets in the California/Oregon (CA/OR) drift gillnet fishery from August 15 through November 15 in state and federal waters in Monterey Bay, CA and vicinity, north to the 45 deg. N lat. intersect of the Oregon coast. NMFS has determined that the incidental take level of leatherback sea turtles by this fishery is dependent on the area and season being fished. The time and area closure will result in a take level reduction by the fishery and is necessary to avoid the likelihood of the CA/OR drift gillnet fishery jeopardizing the continued existence of the leatherback sea turtle population.