# Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Pelagic and Bottom Longline Fisheries; Gear Authorization and Turtle Control Devices
> **Rule** · Final rule. · Published 2008-09-23 · Effective 2008-10-23 · 73 FR 54721
## Document
- **Document number:** E8-22261
- **Category:** catch-limit
- **Region:** atlantic hms
- **Species:** tuna
- **Federal Register citation:** 73 FR 54721
- **Publication date:** 2008-09-23
- **Effective date:** 2008-10-23
- **NOAA docket:** Docket No. 070801432-8663-02
## Abstract

NMFS authorizes green[dash]stick gear for the harvest of Atlantic tunas, including bluefin tuna (BFT), and requires a sea turtle control device in Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) pelagic longline (PLL) and bottom longline (BLL) fisheries. At this time, NMFS is not authorizing harpoon gear for the harvest of Atlantic tunas in the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat (CHB) category as originally proposed. The purpose of this final rule is to ensure fishermen harvest Atlantic tunas within quotas, size limits, or other established limitations and to distinguish green[dash]stick fishing gear from current definitions of other authorized gear types. This final rule also addresses use of sea turtle control devices in the PLL and BLL fisheries to achieve and maintain low post[dash]release mortality of sea turtles thus maintaining consistency with the 2004 Biological Opinion (BiOp) for the Atlantic PLL fishery and to increase safety at sea for fishermen when handling sea turtles caught or entangled in longline fishing gear. NMFS also has revised its list of equipment models that NMFS has approved as meeting the minimum design specifications for the careful release of sea turtles caught in hook and line fisheries.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2008/09/23/E8-22261/atlantic-highly-migratory-species-atlantic-tuna-fisheries-pelagic-and-bottom-longline-fisheries-gear)
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