Frequently Asked Questions: Release Protocols for Endangered Species Act-Listed Sea Turtles and Smalltooth Sawfish

January 2020

ESA-listed sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish can be injured or killed as a result of being mishandled when caught.  NOAA Fisheries has identified ways to reduce the stress for hook-and-line caught and released sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish. These measures, if followed, can increase the chance of survival for these species.

Who needs sea turtle release gear on board their vessel in the hook-and-line fishery in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Regions?

• Turtle release gear is required on all:
  • Permitted commercial and for-hire Gulf of Mexico reef fish vessels.
  • Permitted commercial and for-hire South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper vessels.

Are the hook-and-line fishery regulations concerning sea turtle release gear the same for the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Regions?

• Yes, regulations can be found at 50 CFR Part 622 Appendix F

Are there other fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Regions that also have sea turtle requirements?

• Yes.  The Highly Migratory Species (tunas, billfish, and sharks) and commercial South Atlantic Dolphin and Wahoo fisheries.
• Although many regulations are the same, there are some differences.
• More information on Highly Migratory Species regulations
• Requirements for permitted commercial South Atlantic Dolphin and Wahoo vessels with longlines on board can be found at 50 CFR part 622.273.

What does the ESA-listed sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish release protocol require for the reef fish and snapper-grouper fisheries?

• Vessels with commercial and for-hire reef fish and snapper-grouper permits are required to have the proper sea turtle release gear in accordance with their vessel freeboard height, less than or equal to 4 ft. or greater than 4 ft., and must possess onboard a copy of the most recent version of the document entitled “Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release With Minimal Injury”, and the Placard for sea turtle handling and release guidelines.
• The Protocol must be on board and available for reference inside the wheelhouse, or within a waterproof case if the vessel has no wheelhouse.
• The Placard must be posted at all times inside the wheelhouse, or within an easily viewable area if the vessel has no wheelhouse.

What specific release gear are required for permitted vessels in the Gulf of Mexico reef fish and South Atlantic snapper-grouper fisheries?

• A permitted vessel with a freeboard height equal to four feet or less must have on board a:
  • Dip net (handle must be 6 ft or 150 percent of freeboard height, whichever is greater)
  • Dedicated cushioned support device*
  • Short handled dehooker for internal hooks
  • Short-handled dehooker for external hooks o Long-nose or needle-nose pliers
  • Bolt cutter
  • Monofilament line cutter
  • At least two types of the following mouth openers/mouth gags
    • Block of hard wood
    • Set of 3 canine mouth gags
    • Set of 2 sturdy dog chew bones
    • Set of 2 rope loops covered in protective tubing
    • Hank of rope
    • Set of 4 PVC splice couplings
    • Large avian oral speculum
• A permitted vessel with a freeboard height of greater than four feet must have on board a:
  • Long-handled line cutter (handle must be 6 ft or 150 percent of freeboard height, whichever is greater)
  • Long-handled dehooker for internal hooks (handle must be 6 ft or 150 percent of freeboard height, whichever is greater)
  • Long-handled device to pull an “inverted V” (handle must be 6 ft or 150 percent of freeboard height, whichever is greater)
  • Dip net (handle must be 6 ft or 150 percent of freeboard height, whichever is greater)
  • Dedicated cushioned support device*
  • Short-handled dehooker for internal hooks
  • Short-handled dehooker for external hooks
  • Long-nose or needle-nose pliers
  • Bolt cutter
  • Monofilament line cutter
  • At least two types of the following mouth openers/mouth gags
    • Block of hard wood
    • Set of 3 canine mouth gags
    • Set of 2 sturdy dog chew bones
    • Set of 2 rope loops covered in protective tubing
    • Hank of rope
    • Set of 4 PVC splice couplings
    • Large avian oral speculum

*A cushioned support device is an auto tire or any other comparable, cushioned, elevated surface that allows boated sea turtles to be immobilized as specified in 50 CFR Part 622 Appendix F.  Alternatives to tires include dedicated life rings, seat cushions, life jackets, and life vests.

How do I measure the freeboard to tell if it is greater or less than four feet?

• Freeboard is defined as the working distance between the top rail of the gunwale to the water's surface, and will vary based on the vessel design.

How much will this gear cost and where can I get it?

• The total cost for release gear for a vessel with a freeboard height of less than or equal to four feet is estimated to be between $214 and $635.
• The total cost for release gear for a vessel with a freeboard height of greater than four feet is estimated to be between $486 and $1236.
• These costs may be less for some vessels because some gear may already be on board. For example, a short-handled dehooker fitting the requirements may already be on board.
• Personal preference for more expensive gear brands will put fishermen at the higher end of the release gear price range.
• Much of the gear may be fabricated by the fisherman to reduce costs. Design standards are available here.
• Descriptions of turtle release gear, a list of NOAA Fisheries-approved gear, and where to find them.

How do I release a sea turtle or smalltooth sawfish that is hooked or entangled with my gear?

• Vessels subject to these sea turtle and smalltooth sawfish release protocols must possess, and the crew must use, approved sea turtle handling and release gear in compliance with NOAA Fisheries careful release protocols.
• The required handling and release gear are fully described in a document entitled “Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release with Minimal Injury.”
• Sea turtle and smalltooth sawfish handling and release guideline placards must be posted inside the wheelhouse or in an easily viewable area if the vessel has no wheelhouse.

When should I boat a sea turtle?

• A sea turtle should not be boated if it is too large to safely be brought onto the vessel, or if sea conditions prevent the turtle from being safely boated.
• Turtles should be boated using a NOAA Fisheries approved dip net and not pulled into the vessel using the line the turtle has been caught with.
• Pulling on the line could cause serious injury to the turtle, particularly if the turtle has swallowed the hook.
• Handling the turtle once boated should follow procedures provided in the document “Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release with Minimal Injury.”

What do I do if I encounter a dead sea turtle in my gear?

• If a sea turtle dies from gear interaction, the animal should be released or removed from the gear as if it were alive.
• The sea turtle should not be kept on board.

What if I catch a smalltooth sawfish?

• Smalltooth sawfish should be released by keeping the fish in the water and cutting the line as close to the hook as possible.
• If it can be done safely, untangle the line if it is wrapped around the saw.
• Do not handle the animal or attempt to remove any hooks on the saw, except with a long-handled dehooker.
• It is encouraged to report smalltooth sawfish sightings and interactions to the International Sawfish Database.

Where can I find out more about how these regulations were developed and the rationale behind them?

• The need for regulations is often identified in biological opinions for different fisheries conducted by NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division.
• For the Gulf of Mexico, sea turtle and smalltooth sawfish regulations were originally developed in Amendment 18A to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources in the Gulf of Mexico.
• For the South Atlantic, sea turtle and smalltooth sawfish regulations were originally developed in Amendments 15B and 23 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region.
• The Gulf Council developed and NOAA Fisheries implemented Reef Fish Amendment 49.  The South Atlantic Council developed and NOAA Fisheries implemented Snapper Grouper Amendment 42.