Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan

The Take Reduction Team, under section 118 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), is charged with developing a take reduction plan (Plan) to reduce bycatch of pilot whales in the Atlantic pelagic longline fishery to a level approaching a zero mortality and serious injury rate within 5 years of implementation of the plan.

National

Current Action

NOAA Fisheries is accepting public comments on a proposed rule to amend the Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan. The comment period closes on February 16, 2021.

Overview

The Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan (Plan or PLTRP) currently contains both regulatory and non-regulatory management measures to reduce mortality and serious injury of pilot whales (Globicephala spp.) and Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), in the Atlantic portion of the Category I Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline fishery (hereinafter called Atlantic pelagic longline fishery).

The Plan

NOAA Fisheries published a final rule to implement the Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan on May 19, 2009. The Plan includes a special research area, gear modifications, outreach material, observer coverage, and captains' communications.

Final Rule (74 FR 23349)
References Cited in the Final Rule (PDF)
Environmental Assessment, Regulatory Impact Review, and Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (PDF)

NOAA Fisheries published the proposed rule to implement the Plan on June 24, 2008:

Proposed Rule (73 FR 35623)
Proposed Rule References (PDF)
DRAFT Environmental Assessment, Regulatory Impact Review, and Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (PDF).

The PLTRT submitted to NOAA Fisheries a Draft PLTRP on June 8, 2006. The Draft PLTRP included recommendations for take reduction measures, as well as research needs and other non-regulatory measures.

Draft Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan (PDF, 103 pages)

Team Meetings and Key Outcome Memos

February 2021 - webinar/teleconference
September 2020 - webinar/teleconference
- Key Outcomes Memorandum (PDF, 6 pages)
September 2019 - webinar/teleconference
- Key Outcomes Memorandum (PDF, 6 pages)
October 2016 - webinar/teleconference
- Key Outcomes Memorandum [pdf]
September 2016 - webinar/teleconference
- Key Outcomes Memorandum [pdf]
December 2015 - Virginia Beach, VA
- Key Outcomes Memorandum [pdf]
March 2015 - webinar/teleconference
- Key Outcomes Memorandum [pdf]
June 2014 - webinar/teleconference
- Key Outcomes Memorandum [pdf]
August 2012- St. Petersburg, FL
- Key Outcomes Memorandum [pdf]
September 2010 - webinar/teleconference
- Key Outcomes Memorandum [pdf]
April 2006 - St. Petersburg, FL
- Key Outcomes Memorandum [pdf]
January 2006 - Miami, FL
- Key Outcomes Memorandum [pdf]
September 2005 - Falls Church, VA
- Key Outcomes Memorandum [pdf]
June 2005 - Bethesda, MD
- Key Outcomes Memorandum [pdf]

Additional PLTRP Documents

Team Members
Marine Mammal Handling/Release Guidelines - A Quick Reference for Atlantic Pelagic Longline Gear (English) (PDF, 2 pages)
Marine Mammal Handling/Release Guidelines - A Quick Reference for Atlantic Pelagic Longline Gear (Vietnamese) (PDF, 2 pages)
Compliance Guide for the Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan (PDF, 4 pages)
Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Team Ground Rules (PDF, 4 pages)

Bycatch Reports (SEFSC)

2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
Reports prior to 2013 can be found in the NOAA Institutional Repository

Background

NOAA Fisheries settled a lawsuit with several environmental organizations in 2003, which resulted in an agreement to convene the PLTRT in June 2005. For more information, please see the Federal Register notice announcing the Team. In accordance with the long-term goal of section 118(f)(2) of the MMPA, NOAA Fisheries directed the Team to develop and submit a draft Take Reduction Plan to the agency within 11 months that focused on reducing incidental mortalities and serious injuries of pilot whales and Risso’s dolphins to a level approaching the insignificance threshold within five years of implementation of the Plan. The PLTRT reached consensus at the May 2006 meeting, and on June 8, 2006, submitted to NOAA Fisheries a Draft PLTRP. Based on the Draft PLTRP, NOAA Fisheries published a proposed rule (73 FR 35623, June 24, 2008) and final rule (74 FR 23349, May 19, 2009) implementing the PLTRP, which became effective on June 18, 2009 (50 CFR 229.36).