FB18-054                                

FISHERY BULLETIN ISSUE DATE: August 10, 2018

CONTACT: Charlie Bergmann (228) 238-4109

 

WHAT/WHEN:

  • NOAA Fisheries requires sea turtle safe handling and release gear be on board federally permitted commercial and for-hire vessels in the Gulf of Mexico reef fish fishery. The objective of this requirement is to increase fisherman and sea turtle safety in the event a sea turtle is incidentally captured.
  • There are also sea turtle handling protocols designed to ensure safe and proper techniques to remove fishing gear from incidentally captured sea turtles.
  • NOAA Fisheries is providing outreach opportunities during which staff will review the gear  requirements and handling protocols.
  • Dockside outreach will be held inthelocations listed below at local marinas.  If you would like to request an activity at your marina, please contact Charlie Bergmann at (228) 238-4109 or [email protected].
  • The outreach sessions do not substitute for the Highly Migratory Species Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification workshops that are required for shark and swordfish limited access permit holders that fish with longline or gillnet gear.
  • Additional information on sea turtle safe handling and release gear and protocols are available at:

https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/turtle_sawfish_release/index.html

 

Date Location
August 19-20 Panama City
August 20-21 Yankee Town – Hernando Beach
August 21-22 Hudson – Clearwater
August 22-23 Clearwater – St. Pete Beach
August 23-24 Ruskin – Sarasota
August 24-25 Sarasota – Boca Grande
August 25-26 Boca Grande – Port Charlotte
August 26-27 Port Charlotte – Bonita Beach
August 27-28 Bonita Beach – Everglade City