RECENT NEWS

NMFS Announces a Public Outreach Meeting to Provide Information on the Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan, Final Rule, and Regulatory Requirements to Reduce Serious Injury and Mortality of Pilot Whales and Risso’s Dolphins August 31, 2009

Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Team (PLTRT) website
Final Rule for PLTRT May 15, 2009
Compliace Guide for PLTRT

NMFS Reminds Fishermen to Avoid Harassment and Possible Injury to Large Whales Commonly Seen by Vessels Engaged in Tuna Fishing September 4, 2008

Reminder to All Pelagic Longline Fishermen Participating in Fisheries for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Sept 25, 2007

NMFS Announces Availability of a Revised List of Approved Dehooking Equipment in the Pelagic and Bottom Longline Fisheries- Email Notice and Federal Register Notice Feb 15, 2007 The list of required gear is provided below

REQUIRED GEAR

• Table 1. NMFS Approved Models for Equipment Needed for the Careful Release of Sea Turtles Caught in Hook and Line Fisheries
  
• NOAA Tech Memo 580. Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release with Minimal Injury
  

Sea Turtle Handling/Release Placards*

Turtle Release Training Video

Point of Contact for Further Information

Circle &“J” Hooks and “Drop-Back Time”: A Comparative Hook Performance Study of the South Florida Recreational Live Bait Fishery for Sailfish -- Powerpoint Presentation by E. D. Prince, D. Snodgrass, E. S. Orbesen, J. Schratwieser, & J. E. Serafy

Reduction of Sea Turtle Bycatch and Bycatch Mortality in the Pelagic Longline Fishery

Reduction of Sea Turtle Bycatch and Bycatch Mortality in the Pelagic Longline Fishery - Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (entire document)
Individual Sections -- Select from the List Below Cover Abstract and Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Summary of the Alternatives Chapter 3: Description of the Affected Environment Chapter 4: Environmental Consequences of Alternatives Chapter 5: Mitigation and Unavoidable Adverse Impacts Chapter 6: Economic Evaluation Chapter 7: Regulatory Impact Review Chapter 8: Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) Chapter 9: Community Profiles Chapter 10: Essential Fish Habitat Chapter 11: Other Considerations Chapter 12: List of Preparers Chapter 13: List of Agencies, Organizations, and Persons Consulted Appendix A1 Appendix A2 Appendix A3 Appendix B1 Appendix B2 Appendix C1
June 22, 2008.

Hard copies are available by contacting Karyl Brewster-Geisz.