Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

• Frequently Asked Questions for Amendment 18A (including requirements for Vessel Monitoring Systems and Seaturtle Bycatch Release Gear)

• Frequently Asked Questions for Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Bycatch Release Gear

• Frequently Asked Questions for Vessel Monitoring Systems

Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Handling and Release Requirements

• Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release with Minimal Injury

• Placard: Sea Turtle Handling/Release Placard

• Fishery Bulletin

• Demonstration videos along with more detailed descriptions of sea turtle handling guidelines can be found at the Web sites below. Spanish and Vietnamese translations of the protocol and demonstration videos can also be found online at these Web sites.

  • http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/seaturtlefisheriesobservers.jsp

  • http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/hmsdocument_files/protected_species.htm

Vessels Monitoring System Program

• Link to VMS webpage

Amendment 18A Documents

• Amendment 18A (including requirements for Vessel Monitoring Systems and Seaturtle Bycatch Release Gear)

• Federal Register Notice for Amendment 18A

• Fishery Bulletin for Amendment 18A