All Protected Resources Regulations & Actions
5-Year Review of North Pacific Distinct Population Segment of Loggerhead Sea Turtle
NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services are jointly responsible for the protection and conservation of all sea turtles under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Under section 4(c)(2) of the Endangered Species Act, we are required to…
Published
04/07/2020
Notice of Initiation of a 5-Year Review of Northwest Atlantic Ocean and Seven Foreign Distinct Population Segments of Loggerhead Sea Turtle
NOAA Fisheries and U.S. FWS announce the initiation of a 5-year review for the following distinct population segments (DPS) of loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta): The Mediterranean Sea DPS, the Northeast Atlantic Ocean DPS, the North Indian Ocean…
Published
12/26/2019
Atlantic Sea Scallop Turtle Deflector Dredge and Chain Mat Regulated Areas
To protect sea turtles, chain mats and Turtle Deflector Dredges (TDDs) must be used when fishing for scallops in waters west of 71° W. long., from the shoreline to the outer boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone, from May 1 through November 30. The…
Effective
05/01/2015
Revised Limits on Sea Turtle Interactions in Hawaii Shallow-set Longline Fishery
In this final rule, NOAA Fisheries revises the annual number of incidental interactions allowed between the Hawaii-based shallow-set pelagic longline fishery, and leatherback and North Pacific loggerhead sea turtles. NOAA Fisheries also makes…
Effective
11/05/2012
Revisions to Turtle Excluder Device Requirements
This rule revises the turtle excluder device (TED) requirements to allow the use of new materials and to modify existing approved TED designs. Specifically, this rule allows using flat bar, rectangular pipe, and oval pipe as construction material in…
Effective
06/20/2012
Turtle Excluder Device Double Cover Flap Modification Final Rule
NOAA Fisheries is amending the turtle excluder device (TED) regulations that require most shrimp trawlers to use TEDs in the southeastern Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico to reduce the incidental capture of endangered and threatened sea turtles during…
Effective
05/27/2004
Turtle Excluder Device Opening Final Rule
NOAA Fisheries is amending the turtle excluder device (TED) regulations to enhance their effectiveness in reducing sea turtle mortality resulting from trawling in the southeastern United States. NOAA Fisheries has determined that:
- some current…
Effective
04/15/2003
Sea Turtle Handling and Resuscitation Requirements
Any sea turtle taken incidentally during the course of fishing or scientific research activities must be handled with due care to prevent injury, observed for activity, resuscitated if comatose or inactive, and returned to the water according to the…
Effective
12/01/2001
Regulations to Protect Sea Turtles from Shrimp Trawlers and Other Fisheries
MFS amends the sea turtle conservation measures and the interim final rule currently in effect. As of December 1, 1992, this final rule requires shrimp trawlers to comply with sea turtle conservation measures throughout the year in all areas. Where…
Effective
12/01/1992