# Presentation: 752804

## Gear Authorization for Atlantic Tunas & Sea Turtle Control Device

- Highly Migratory Species Management Division
- Advisory Panel Meeting
- April 2008

## Green-Stick Gear Authorization

- Alternative A1:  	No action/status quo.
*Alternative A2:**	**Authorize green-stick gear for **	**	**	**harvest of Atlantic tunas by  **	**	**	**	*_*Atlantic Tunas General*_* category **	**	**	**permitted vessels.  (Preferred **	**	**	**Alternative)*

## Green-Stick Gear Authorization

*Alternative A3:**	**Authorize green-stick gear for **	**	**	**harvest of Atlantic tunas by *_*HMS*_* **	**	**	*_*Charter/Headboat*_* permitted **	**	**	**	**vessels.  (Preferred Alternative)*
*Alternative A4:**	**Authorize green-stick gear for **	**	**	**harvest of Atlantic BAYS tunas, **	**	**	**and BFT within existing target **	**	**	**catch requirements, by *_*Atlantic*_* **	**	**	*_*Tunas Longline*_* category **	**	**	**	**permitted vessels. (Preferred **	**	**	**Alternative)*

## Green-Stick Gear Definition

- Actively trolled mainline attached to a vessel and suspended above the surface of the water
- No more than 10 hooks or gangions
- Retrieved by hand or mechanical means
- Not a pelagic or bottom longline

## Green-Stick Gear Data

- NMFS considered several methods of green-stick gear specific data collection.  We want your input...
- Observers
- Vessel Logbooks
- Trip Tickets/Dealer Reporting
- Special Studies

## Harpoon Authorization

- Alternative B1:	(No action/status quo)
*Alternative B2:**	**Authorize harpoon for Atlantic **	**	**	**tunas fishing by HMS CHB **	**	**	**	**permitted vessels. (Preferred **	**	**	**Alternative)*

## Harpoon Authorization

- Alternative B2a:	Authorize harpoon for Atlantic 			tunas fishing by HMS CHB 				permitted vessels on all trips.
*Alternative B2b:**	**Authorize harpoon for Atlantic **	**	**	**tunas fishing by HMS CHB **	**	**	**	**permitted vessels on non-for-hire **	**	**	**trips only. (Preferred Alternative)*

## Sea Turtle Control Device

- Alternative C1:	(No action/status quo)
*Alternative C2:**	**Require possession and use of a **	**	**	**sea turtle control device as an **	**	**	**addition to the already existing **	**	**	**requirements for sea turtle **	**	**	**	**bycatch mitigation gear. **	**	**	**	**(Preferred Alternative)*
- 				- Turtle tether or ninja sticks

## Turtle Tether & Ninja Sticks

## Timeline for Rulemaking

- Proposed rule published later this month.
- Public comment period and hearings:
- 	Late April – May 2008
- Final Rule Expected:  Summer 2008

## Public Comments

- Please identify comments with “0648-AV92"
- Federal eRulemaking Portal - _[http://](http://www.regulations.gov/)__[www.regulations.gov](http://www.regulations.gov/)_
- Fax: 727-824-5398
- Mail: Randy Blankinship, Highly Migratory Species Management Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701

## Slide 12

## Green-Stick Gear Definition

- “Green-stick gear means an actively trolled mainline attached to a vessel and elevated or suspended above the surface of the water with no more than 10 hooks or gangions attached to the mainline.  The suspended line, attached gangions and/or hooks, and catch may be retrieved collectively by hand or mechanical means.  Green-stick does not constitute a pelagic longline or a bottom longline as defined in this section or as described at § 635.21(c) or § 635.21(d), respectively.”

## Green-Stick Gear