Final Annual Determination for 2020

NOAA Fisheries publishes the final Annual Determination (AD) for 2020, pursuant to its authority under the Endangered Species Act. Through the AD, NOAA Fisheries identifies U.S. fisheries operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific Ocean that will be required to take fisheries observers upon NOAA Fisheries' request. The purpose of observing identified fisheries is to learn more about sea turtle bycatch in a given fishery, evaluate measures to prevent or reduce sea turtle bycatch, and implement the prohibition against sea turtle takes. Fisheries identified on the 2020 AD will remain on the AD for a five-year period from the effective date of the final determination and will be required to carry observers upon NOAA Fisheries' request.