Oceana has applauded the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for approving new regulations for the Atlantic scallop fishery that requires modified fishing gear where endangered sea turtles are present.
The new fishing gear, called a Turtle Deflector Dredge (TDD), is shown to push sea turtles out of harm’s way. TDDs are expected to reduce sea turtle mortality by at least 56% when compared to former dredges that force them into heavy chain bags where they were dragged and often drowned.
“Oceana is relieved that after 10 years of requests, NMFS has finally taken action to reduce the scallop fisheries deadly interaction with threatened sea turtles,” said Gib Brogan, Oceana’s Northeast representative. “We support TDD’s as a solution to sea turtle bycatch in the scallop fishery and commend the industry and its research partners for their work to develop this new gear.”
This decision will come into effect on 6 May 6 2012 and will be required from 1 May-31 October in all waters West of 71 degrees W. longitude (near Dartmouth, MA), including the entire Mid-Atlantic. The Atlantic scallop fishery will have one year to meet these requirements after they go into effect.
“The government’s job does not end by approving these new regulations,” said Mr Brogan. “NMFS must remain vigilant in making sure that TDD’s are used properly and that they are successful in decreasing sea turtle mortality.”
