NEW ORLEANS (AP) – More shrimp fishermen would have to use nets equipped with turtle escape hatches, to prevent sea turtle deaths, under proposed new federal rules released on Thursday.
The National Marine Fisheries Service wants to require more shrimp fishermen to use “turtle excluder devices.” The devices are metal grates that allow turtles to escape the boats’ nets.
The new rules would apply mostly in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, home to a major part of America’s largest shrimp fishery in the Gulf of Mexico.
“This will allow the fishery to continue to operate and produce seafood, and it will aid our path down the recovery of the sea turtle population,” said Roy Crabtree, Southeast regional administrator for the fisheries service.
Shrimp fishermen, many of whom are already subject to similar rules, have long been preparing for more turtle protections, said Acy Cooper, president of the Louisiana Shrimp Association. He said his association wants to scrutinize the proposal before taking a position on it.