2023 Annual Determination To Implement the Sea Turtle Observer Requirement

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) hereby publishes the final Annual Determination (AD) for 2023, pursuant to its authority under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Through the AD, NMFS identifies U.S. fisheries operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific Ocean in which participants will be required to take fisheries observers upon NMFS' request. The purpose of observing identified fisheries is to learn more about sea turtle bycatch in a given fishery, evaluate measures to prevent or reduce sea turtle takes, and implement the prohibition against sea turtle takes. Fisheries identified on the 2023 AD (see Table 1) will be required to carry observers upon NMFS' request, and will remain on the AD for a 5-year period until December 31, 2027.