On January 23, 2020 the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) published a proposed rule “2020 Annual Determination To Implement the Sea Turtle Observer Requirement”, 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 that will be required to take fisheries observers upon NMFS’ request.
See the Federal Register notice published January 23, 2020 on the proposed rule and instructions on how to comment. NMFS is accepting comments on the proposed rule; comments must be received by February 24, 2020.
For further information, please contact Dan Lawson, NMFS West Coast Region, at 562-980-3209.