TED Requirements for Skimmer Trawls:
In an effort to strengthen sea turtle conservation efforts, NOAA Fisheries is offering a reminder to the shrimp industry of current TED requirements. A TED is a device that allows sea turtles to escape from trawl nets, and their use is required by regulations implemented under the Endangered Species Act. TEDs aid in the protection and recovery of sea turtle populations by reducing their incidental bycatch and mortality in southeastern U.S. shrimp fisheries.
Currently, all vessels using otter trawls and all vessels 40 feet and greater in length using skimmer trawls must have properly installed TEDs in their nets. Vessel length is the length specified on the vessel’s state vessel registration or U.S. Coast Guard vessel documentation required to be onboard the vessel while fishing. Skimmer trawl vessels less than 40 feet in length may also choose to use properly installed TEDs, but if they do not, those vessels must still comply with maximum tow time limits (i.e., 55 minutes from April 1 through October 31 and 75 minutes from November 1 through March 31, as measured from the time the codend enters the water until the time the codend is emptied of catch on deck). Other limited exemptions from the TED requirements can be found at 50 CFR 223.206(d)(2)(ii).
Important Note: TEDs are made to order and this does take time. Vessel owners who haven’t yet acquired TEDs should consider getting orders in well in advance of their planned fishing trips to make sure they don’t experience delays.
We Can Help:
To schedule a courtesy compliance TED check please contact the Gear Monitoring Team at [email protected], Canh Nguyen (228) 355-8372, Jason Letort (228) 355-8667, or Jeff Gearhart (228) 369-4265.
Upcoming TED Workshops and Additional Information:
The Gear Monitoring Team will be conducting additional workshops and training sessions for skimmer trawl fishers. Information on these sessions will be posted on our website: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/bycatch/turtle-excluder-device-regulations.
TED Manufacturers: (updated 2/10/22)
Due to questions coming into our Southeast Fishery Science Center’s Gear Monitoring Team, we also want to provide a list of skimmer trawl TED manufacturers. NOAA Fisheries is not recommending any specific manufacturer. The list below is intended to inform the industry and public of existing skimmer trawl TED manufacturers. The list is not exhaustive and will be updated if additional manufacturers are identified.
Louisiana
Alario Brothers Marine Supply
894 Ave A
Westwego, LA 70094
Eva Alario (504) 341-1843
Bob’s Net Shop
5170 Rogers St
Lafitte, LA 70067
Bobby Boudreaux (504) 689-3592
Chine’s Cajun Net Shop Inc
1901 N Bayou Dr
Golden Meadow, LA 70357
Chine (985) 475-6788
Cutoff Net Shop
175 W 80th Street
Cutoff, LA 70345
Troy Terrebonne (985) 637-8046
Fishermen’s Net & Supply Co
4540 Downman Rd
New Orleans, LA 70126
Warren Delacroix (504) 244-8767
The Net Doctor
5325 Bayouside Drive
Chauvin, LA 70344
(985) 804-4501
Toni’s Marine Supplies
598 Destrahan Avenue
Harvey, LA 70058
Thomas Nguyen (504) 347-1254
Touchard Marine Supply
403 LA-14
Delcambre, LA 70528
Clark Touchard (337) 685-2715
Mississippi
Southern Supply Company
326 Howard Ave
Biloxi, MS 39530
John Nguyen (228) 435-4401
Alabama
Nelson’s Net Shop
16746 Kennedy Rd
Bon Secour, AL 36511
Shell Nelson (251) 949-7325
Brunson Net & Supply Co Inc
17778 US-98
Foley, AL 36535
(251) 943-6911
North Carolina
Gordon’s Net Works
1571 Bricklanding Rd SW
South Brunswick, NC 28470
(910) 754-9713
