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 the hook-and-line and trawl 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)
Smalltooth Sawfish Handling and Release for Commercial Fisheries (PDF,1 page)
Required Sea Turtle Handing and Resuscitation Procedures for Shrimp Trawls (PDF, 1 page)
Giant Manta Ray Handling and Release for Shrimp Trawls (PDF, 1 page)
Hook and Line Fisheries Release and Reporting Placards
Frequently Asked Questions Hook-and-Line Fishery
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 Placard (English) (Spanish) (Vietnamese)
Smalltooth Sawfish Handling and Release for Commercial Fisheries (PDF,1 page)
Giant Manta Ray Release and Reporting Placard (PDF, 1 page)
Release Tools
More Information
To reach Sustainable Fisheries staff, please call 727-824-5305.
Gulf of Mexico Kelli O'Donnell Kelli.ODonnell@noaa.gov
South Atlantic Branch Homepage
South Atlantic Frank Helies Frank.Helies@noaa.gov
Gulf of Mexico Branch Homepage
To reach Protected Resources staff, please call 727-824-5312.
Michael Barnette Michael.Barnette@noaa.gov
Protected Resources Division Homepage
Oceanic whitetip shark. Hawaiʻi longline fishermen use leaders to connect weighed branch lines and baited hooks. A new rule prohibits steel wire leaders in the Hawaiʻi deep-set longline fishery, starting May 31, 2022. The rule aims to increase the survival of hooked oceanic whitetip sharks caught as bycatch in the Pacific Islands region. Credit: Andy Mann
Right whale #3853 swimming north offshore of South Carolina on Jan. 20, 2011 with a series of fresh propeller wounds running across its back. The whale was observed 5 days previously offshore of Georgia without propeller wounds. It is unknown whether the whale survived its wounds or not, as it has not been re-sighted since. Vessel collisions are a leading cause of right whale mortality. Credit: EcoHealth Alliance (NOAA permit #594-1759).
North Atlantic right whale Catalog #3560 ‘Snow Cone’ sighted December 2, 2021 entangled and with a new calf. Photo credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission taken under NOAA permit 20556.
Barotrauma expands gasses in a fish causing the air bladder and other organs to expand as well, making it difficult for fish to swim after release. Credit: NOAA Fisheries, Florida SeaGrant