Meetings Scheduled For Sea Turtle Regulation Changes

[NCangler]

MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has scheduled two public meetings to discuss possible future changes to federal regulations for turtle excluder devices (TEDs).

NOAA Fisheries is considering expanding the areas and gears in which TEDs are required. A TED is a type of trapdoor used in shrimp trawls to allow sea turtles, inadvertently caught in the nets, to escape.

The federal agency initially issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking Feb. 15 requesting public comments within 30 days, but has since extended the comment period to May 18.

DMF is seeking public input as it prepares the state’s position on the proposals. Fishermen participating in ocean trawl fisheries, as well as the general public, are encouraged to attend the meetings.

The meetings are scheduled for:

April 24 – 7 p.m.
Roanoke Island Festival Park
Manteo

May 1 – 7 p.m.
Center for Marine Sciences and Technology
303 College Circle, Room 205
Morehead City

For more information, contact Red Munden, N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, at (252) 726-7021 or (800) 682-2632.