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Home > Current News > 2008

News: 2008

Louisiana Shrimpers Receive New Temporary Turtle Excluder Device (TED) Exemption Limited to Certain State and Federal Waters
Posted: 10/31/08

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has granted shrimp trawlers a temporary 30-day exemption from federal Turtle Excluder Device (TED) requirements in state and federal waters from the western end of Timbalier Island at approximately 90 degrees 33 minutes west longitude eastward to the Plaquemines/Jefferson Parish line at approximately 89 degrees 54 minutes west longitude and extending 15 nautical miles seaward.

Shrimp trawlers fishing in these waters are now exempt from federal TED requirements through 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 28, 2008. In lieu of TED’s, this authorization requires shrimp trawlers to restrict tow times to 55 minutes through Oct. 31 and to 75 minutes thereafter. Tow times are measured from the time trawl doors enter the water until they are retrieved from the water according to NMFS.

This exemption from federal TED requirements will expire at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 28, 2008, unless otherwise extended by NMFS. Federal regulations provide for the use of limited tow times as an alternative to the use of TEDs if determined "that the presence of debris or other special environmental conditions in a particular area makes trawling with TED-equipped nets impracticable."

This action follows NMFS consideration of a request made by LDWF to further extend an earlier temporary TED exemption which included state and federal waters from the Mississsippi/Louisiana state line to the Louisiana/Texas state line seaward a distance of 20 miles which will expire on Nov. 26, 2008.

Shrimp trawlers who continue to use legal TEDs in the affected areas do not have to limit their tow times. NMFS encourages shrimp trawlers in the affected areas to continue to use TEDs if possible, however, shrimpers choosing to use tow-time limitations may not simply sew the TED flaps shut; they must remove the TEDs from the trawls.

NMFS will continue to monitor this situation. If monitoring indicates that debris is no longer a problem, then this authorization will be shortened. If debris continues to be a problem after the dates above, this authorization may be extended. Fishermen should monitor NOAA weather radio for announcements or contact the NMFS Southeast Regional Office at 727 824-5312.

Louisiana shrimp fishermen continue to report the presence of large amounts of storm related debris throughout the impacted area. This debris primarily consists not only of man-made debris but matted grasses, rooted clumps of marsh vegetation, Roseau cane and branches uprooted and displaced by the storms. The debris has severely impacted both shrimp catch and TED performance and has damaged fishing gear as well.

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