Turtle Excluder Device Compliance Information
In order for TEDs to be effective, compliance within the fishing industry is paramount. To ensure strong levels of compliance, our Gear Management Team and Office of Law Enforcement regularly conduct courtesy boardings and TED workshops. In addition, the resources below can help fishermen comply with the TED regulations.
NOAA conducting TED patrols.
NOAA Fisheries TED Compliance Policy
Final TED Compliance Policy (PDF, 7 pages)
Virtual TED Installation Webinars and Workshops (Skimmer Trawls)
The webinars are scheduled twice a month on Tuesday mornings starting at 9:00AM - 10:30AM CST. Webinars are scheduled for May 18, June 1, June 15, July 13, and July 27, 2021.
In addition, virtual workshops will be held one Friday a month starting at 9:00AM - 10:30AM CST. Virtual workshops are scheduled for May 14, June 25, and July 30, 2021. The full schedule and registration information can be found here.
Guide for Checking 44-Inch Single Flap TED on Skimmer Trawl Vessels 40 Ft. or Greater (PDF, 2 pages)
Compliance Guidance
The following documents are provided to assist fishers in complying with fisheries regulations regarding the use of TEDs.
Any of the following TED openings may be fished inshore. However, only the 71-Inch TED Opening and the Double-Cover TED Opening are permissible offshore. Please refer to 50 CFR 222.102 (PDF, 7 pages) for further definitions of inshore and offshore waters.
How to Check a 44-Inch TED Opening
- Instructions for the 44-Inch Inshore Turtle Escape Opening for Single-Grid Hard TEDs (PDF, 4 pages)
- Guide for Checking 44-Inch Inshore TED Opening (PDF, 1 page)
- Vietnamese Guide: Bản Chỉ-Dẩn Việc Kiểm-Xoát cho Bộ-Phận-Lộc-Rùa có Vành-Nắp 44 IN (PDF, 1 page)
How to Check a 71-Inch TED Opening
- Instructions for the 71-Inch Offshore Turtle Escape Opening for Single-Grid Hard TEDs (PDF, 4 pages)
- Guide for Checking 71-Inch TED Opening (PDF, 1 page)
- Spanish Guide: Guía para Inspeccionar Abertura del DET de 71 pulgadas (PDF, 1 page)
- Vietnamese Guide: Bản Chỉ-Dẩn Việc Kiểm-Xoát cho Bộ-Phận-Lộc-Rùa có Vành-Nắp 71 IN (PDF, 1 page)
How to Check a Double Cover TED Opening
- Instructions for Checking Double-Cover TED Opening (PDF, 6 pages)
- Guide for Checking Double-Cover TED Opening (PDF, 1 page)
- Spanish Guide: Guía para Inspeccionar Abertura del DET de Cobertua Doble (PDF, 1 page)
- Vietnamese Guide: Bản Chỉ-Dẩn Việc Kiểm-Xoát cho Bộ-Phận-Lộc-Rùa có Vành-Nắp-Đôi (PDF, 1 page)
Knot Orientation on TED Flaps
- Proper Knot Orientation (PDF, 2 pages)
Workshops and Technical Assistance
In an effort to assist the commercial fishing industry in complying with fisheries regulations, our Harvesting Systems Unit engages in gear technology transfer workshops, educational demonstrations, and technical assistance.
Sea Turtle Capture Rates and TED Effectiveness in the Southeast Shrimp Otter Trawl Fleet
- Monthly Southeastern Shrimp Trawl Observer Program - Sea Turtle Interactions (2011 - 2015) (PDF, 20 pages)
- Monthly Southeastern Shrimp Otter Trawl TED Inspections, Compliance, Sea Turtle Capture Rates, and TED Effectiveness (April 2014 - December 2018) (PDF, 3 pages)