Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Pelagic Longline Fishery; Shark Gillnet Fishery; Sea Turtle and Whale Protection Measures

This final rule implements measures required by the June 14, 2001, Biological Opinion (BiOp) on Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) fisheries. In the HMS pelagic longline fishery, NOAA Fisheries is closing the northeast distant statistical reporting (NED) area, requiring the length of any gangion to be 10 percent longer than the length of any floatline if the total length of any gangion plus the total length of any floatline is less than 100 meters, and prohibiting vessels from having hooks on board other than corrodible, non- stainless steel hooks. In the HMS shark gillnet fishery, both the observer and vessel operator must look for whales, the vessel operator must contact NOAA Fisheries if a listed whale is taken, and shark gillnet fishermen must conduct net checks every 0.5 to 2 hours to look for and remove any sea turtles or marine mammals from their gear. This final rule also requires all HMS bottom and pelagic longline vessels to post sea turtle handling and release guidelines in the wheelhouse. The intent of these actions is to reduce the incidental catch and post- release mortality of sea turtles and other protected species in HMS fisheries.