Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Certification of Bycatch Reduction Devices

In accordance with the framework procedure for adjusting management measures of the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), NMFS establishes procedures for the testing and certification of bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) for use in shrimp trawls in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Gulf of Mexico. Consistent with these procedures, NMFS certifies the Jones- Davis and Gulf fisheye BRDs for use in the Gulf of Mexico. NMFS also establishes the specifications for the Jones-Davis, Gulf fisheye, and fisheye BRDs. The intended effect is to foster the development and provide for the certification of additional BRDs.