Double Cover Flap TED Gains Approval From NOAA

On May 14, 2001, NOAA Fisheries issued an interim final rule to add the double cover flap Turtle Excluder Device (TED) to the list of hard TEDs approved for use by shrimp trawlers operating in the Atlantic Ocean off the southeastern United States and in the Gulf of Mexico.

This TED is designed to exclude large debris and turtles better than existing standard TEDs, while maintaining the shrimpers' catch.

The double cover flap TED also is approved for use without modification when the leather back contingency plan has been implemented due to high concentrations of leather back turtles in a specific area.

Fishermen who use the TED will not have to worry about changing TEDs if they fish in areas where the leather back contingency plan could be implemented.
Most existing hard TEDs can be easily and inexpensively modified to use the double cover flap.
Over the coming weeks, NOAA Fisheries will provide technical materials and training to fishermen interested in using the double cover flap TED.

For more information, contact: Robert Hoffman, (727) 570-5312; or John Mitchell, (228) 762-4591 x295. You may also e-mail: Robert.Hoffman@noaa.gov or John.Mitchell@noaa.gov.

This report taken from NOAA Fishnews.