Sea Turtle, Smalltooth Sawfish, and Giant Manta Ray Release Guidance and Reporting for Commercial Fisheries

Sea turtles, smalltooth sawfish, and giant manta ray, which are all listed under the Endangered Species Act, can be injured or killed as a result of being mishandled when caught. NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Regional Office has identified ways to reduce the stress for sea turtles, smalltooth sawfish, and manta rays caught in trawl and hook-and-line gears. These measures, if followed, can increase the chance of survival for these species.

Release gear, protocols, and safe handling placards are required for permitted reef fish and snapper-grouper vessels.

Shrimp Fisheries Release and Reporting Placards

• Turtle Excluder Device (TED) Information for Commercial Shrimp Fisheries 
• Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release with Minimal Injury (NOAA Technical Memorandum 735)
• Sea Turtle Handling and Resuscitation Procedures for Shrimp Trawls (PDF, 1 page)
• Smalltooth Sawfish Handling, Release, and Reporting for Commercial Fisheries: English | Spanish | Vietnamese (PDFs)
• Giant Manta Ray Handling and Release for Shrimp Trawls:  English | Spanish | Vietnamese (PDFs)

Hook-and-Line Fisheries Release and Reporting Placards

• Hook-and-Line Fishery Frequently Asked Questions 
• Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release with Minimal Injury (NOAA Technical Memorandum 735)
• Design Standards and Equipment for Careful Release of Sea Turtles Caught in Hook-and-Line Fisheries (NOAA Technical Memorandum 738)
• Sea Turtle Handling and Release Placards (Hook-and-Line): English | Spanish | Vietnamese (PDFs)
• Smalltooth Sawfish Handling, Release, and Reporting for Commercial Fisheries
• Giant Manta Ray Handling and Release for Hook-and-Line Gears

Release Gear and Tools

• Approved Models and Equipment for Careful Release of Sea Turtles Caught in Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery and South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Fishery

More Information

• Additional Guidance for Sea Turtle Handling, Resuscitation, and Transfer (PDF, 1 page)
• Amendment 49 to the Reef Fish Fishery Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of the Gulf of Mexico
• Amendment 42 to the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan of the South Atlantic
• FB19-027 NOAA Fisheries Announces New Modifications to Sea Turtle Release Gear for the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery (effective 6/17/2019)
• FB19-078 NOAA Fisheries Announces New Modifications to Sea Turtle Release Gear for the South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery (effective 1/8/2020)

Contacts

For questions about release gear, please contact:

• Lesley Stokes (Lesley.Stokes@noaa.gov), Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center

For questions about commercial fishing requirements, please contact:

• Gulf of Mexico Fisheries: Kelli O'Donnell (Kelli.ODonnell@noaa.gov)
• South Atlantic Fisheries: Frank Helies (Frank.Helies@noaa.gov)
• Or call: (727) 824-5305

For questions about protected species, please contact:

• Michael Barnette (Michael.Barnette@noaa.gov)
• Or call: (727) 824-5312