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Published: September 30, 2009
Updated: September 30, 2009
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NOAA Fisheries Service currently requires the use of chain-mat modified dredge gear in the Atlantic sea scallop fishery south of 41[deg] 9.0' North latitude from May 1 through November 30 each year. This gear is necessary to help reduce mortality and injury to endangered and threatened sea turtles captured in this fishery and to conserve sea turtles listed under the Endangered Species Act. NOAA has issued a new final rule to make minor modifications to these chain-mat requirements. This rule clarifies where on the dredge the chain mat must be hung, excludes the sweep from the requirement that the side of each opening in the chain mat be less than or equal to 14 inches; and adds definitions of the sweep and the diamonds, which are terms used to describe parts of the scallop dredge gear. These changes take effect October 14, 2009.

For more information, contact Ellen.Keane@noaa.gov.

source: NOAA Fish News
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