Louisiana Sea Grant Co-hosts Turtle Excluder Devices Compliance Workshops, Saved Commercial Fishermen $120,000 in Potential Fines

May 24, 2022

Gary Graham shows shrimp fisherman how to inspect the TED on his trawl net. Photo credit: Texas Sea Grant

Turtle excluder devices (TEDs) are required by law on all shrimp fishing vessels to reduce negative impacts on endangered species. Louisiana Sea Grant and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Gear Management Team provide hands on voluntary training for crew members to gain more knowledge about TEDs, how they are to be constructed, how to check and measure them, and how to assist others in fixing any discrepancies.

During these annual workshops, 30 to 40 shrimp boats with approximately 100 to 120 TEDs are checked for compliance. Most vessels reported no issues. In 2017, only three shrimp boats had minor issues with their turtle exclusion devices. Corrections of these issues on vessels through this workshop saved commercial fishing vessel owners $120,000 in potential fines.

Group of people removing ghost nets from a beach.

Alabama

Biden-Harris administration invests $27 million to support community-driven marine debris solutions through Investing in America agenda

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This funding will support innovative research and foster local coalitions to address urgent marine debris issues by using NOAA Sea Grant’s partnered approach to bring science together with communities for solutions that work.

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