The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued an emergency closure of the bottom longline sector of the Gulf of Mexico reef fish fishery today in an effort to protect sea turtles from injury and death.
The closure, effective May 18 to October 28 of this year, will prohibit bottom longline fishing gear in eastern Gulf waters shallower than 50 fathoms. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council voted in January to request that NOAA issue an emergency rule to take immediate action to protect threatened sea turtle populations that are caught and killed by this fishery.
The Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) are currently developing a long-term solution that will take effect after the six month closure has ended.