CONTACT: Chris Smith,       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Public Affairs Officer      May 8, 1998 
Gene Proulx, 
Special Agent in Charge, 
Southeast Enforcement Division        

The National Marine Fisheries Service will follow a community oriented education policy in enforcing Bycatch Reduction Device Regulations for the first two weeks after they are implemented. From May 14 until May 28, 1998 Coast Guard and NMFS enforcement agents will issue verbal warnings for initial BRD violations. This policy, intended to help shrimpers come into compliance with the new regulations, was announced today by Gene Proulx, special agent-in-charge of the NMFS Southeast Enforcement Division.

"The education period is intended to encourage fishermen and vessel owners to seek technical assistance if they have any questions about how the devices should be installed. However, fishermen should make every effort to comply with the BRD regulations by May 14 because additional enforcement action may be taken for violations occurring after the initial verbal warning," said Proulx.

In recent months NMFS has made information about BRD installation available to shrimp fisherman through a variety of sources. These include: direct mailings; conducting workshops; the NFMS Internet site (http://caldera.sero.nmfs.gov); and disseminating announcements through the news media. By May 10, every Gulf fisherman who holds a state shrimp license should receive a copy of a brochure that provides detailed instructions about how to install the Gulf Fisheye BRD via first class mail. The brochure has also been posted on the NMFS Internet site: http://caldera.sero.nmfs.gov. Fishermen who have not yet obtained this information should contact their nearest NMFS Law Enforcement Office, NMFS Port Agent, Coast Guard Station, Sea Grant Extension Agent, state shrimping association or agency with jurisdiction over marine resources to view a video tape and obtain a copy of the brochure.

Fishermen who need contact information for their area should call:

For the nearest NMFS Enforcement Office: (813) 570-5344
NMFS Port Agent: (813) 570-5305,
Coast Guard Station: (504) 589-6189
Sea Grant Extension Agent: (301) 713-2431.

State offices with jurisdiction over marine resources are:

The Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources: (334) 968-7576
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection: (850) 488-6058
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries: (504) 765-2800
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources: (601) 385-5860
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: (512) 389-4857

This and other Southeast Regional news releases are available on the SERO Internet home page: http://caldera.sero.nmfs.gov.

NMFS is an agency of the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NMFS conducts scientific research and provides services and products to support fisheries management, fisheries development, trade and industry assistance, enforcement, and protected species and habitat conservation programs.