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.
Final TED Compliance Policy (PDF, 7 pages)
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)
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.
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.
A map showing turtle effigy and turtle carcass drift track comparison. The reasoning behind using effigies was to develop a product that mimicked how a sea turtle carcass drifts in order to repeat the study in other locations without the use of actual sea turtle carcasses. Here you can see an effigy follows the same drift pattern as two sea turtle carcasses.
North Atlantic right whale mom and calf, Photo credit: Blue World Research Institute
