NMFS issues this temporary rule for a period of 30 days, to allow shrimp fishermen to use limited tow times as an alternative to Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in state and Federal waters offshore of Louisiana (from the Mississippi/Louisiana boundary to the Texas/ Louisiana boundary) extending offshore 20 nautical miles. This action is necessary because environmental conditions resulting from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike are preventing some fishermen from using TEDs effectively.