Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Team Webinar

The Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Team (PLTRT) is a multi-stakeholder team, established by NOAA Fisheries under section 118 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, that works to reduce bycatch of pilot whales in the Atlantic Pelagic Longline fishery. 

NOAA Fisheries is proposing to amend the regulations implementing the Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan. The proposed rule would (1) remove the CHSRA and its special observer and research participation requirements; (2) modify the mainline length requirements for the EEZ portion of the Mid-Atlantic Bight to limit total length of active gear in the water and reduce soak times associated with pelagic longline sets that have multiple mainlines; and (3) implement terminal gear (hook and gangion) requirements in order to make the hooks the weakest part of the terminal gear (so that the hooks straighten before the gangion breaks) in the EEZ portion of the Northeast Coastal, Mid-Atlantic Bight, South Atlantic Bight, and Florida East Coast statistical areas. The actions in the proposed rule were based on consensus recommendations made by the PLTRT. NOAA Fisheries is also proposing to remove long-finned pilot whales and Risso’s dolphins from the scope of the Plan as average annual mortality and serious injury incidental to the Atlantic pelagic longline is below the insignificance threshold of 10 percent of the PBR level for both species.

Comments are due by midnight on Feb 16, 2021 and can be submitted at regulations.gov under identification number NOAA-NMFS-2016-0105.

Virtual Meeting Information

Registration link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3907870346400514059

In order to join the PLTRT webinar, you must register at the link.  

TIPS:

• Put your affiliation after your last name.
• Once you register, you will receive an email with the link to join the webinar and instructions for audio.