Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Amendment to the Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan

Issuing agencies

Abstract

NMFS is amending the regulations implementing the Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan (hereinafter called the PLTRP or the Plan) to reduce mortality and serious injury of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) incidental to the Atlantic portion of the Category I Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline fishery (hereinafter called Atlantic pelagic longline fishery) to meet the long-term goal of the Plan as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The amendments to the PLTRP are based on consensus recommendations submitted by the Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Team (hereinafter called the PLTRT or the Team) and include both regulatory and non-regulatory management measures. Additionally, NMFS is removing Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) and long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas melas) from the purpose and scope of the Plan.