Louisiana Fisheries
Current NewsAbout UsBiological InfoManagement InfoHabitat Info
Louisiana Fisherman Professionalism ProgramAquaculture InfoLegal & Socio-Economic Issues
Fisheries & PeopleResources & PublicationsFisheries FAQsSearch
LSU AgCenter Louisiana Sea Grant Louisiana Fisheries Louisiana Fisheries

Home > Current News > 2005

News: 2005

Louisiana Shrimpers Receive Temporary Turtle Excluder Device (TED) Exemption Following Hurricane Katrina
Posted: 10/3/05

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has granted shrimp trawlers a temporary 30-day exemption from federal Turtle Excluder Device (TED) requirements in certain state and federal waters off Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Shrimp trawlers fishing in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana waters westward to the boundary of Vermilion and Cameron Parish at longitude 92 degrees and 37 minutes West and extending 50 nautical miles offshore are now exempt from federal TED requirements through Oct. 22, 2005. In lieu of TEDs, this authorization requires shrimp trawlers to restrict tow times to 55 minutes 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 Oct. 22, 2005, 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."

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 and LDWF marine fisheries biologists have reported 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 storm. The debris has severely impacted both shrimp catch and TED performance and has damaged fishing gear as well.

Back to Main

 


Louisiana Fisheries Louisiana Sea Grant LSU AgCenter