The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMF has ordered a 6-month emergency closure of the Bottom Longline fishery in the Gulf of Mexico to protect imperiled sea turtles from capture and death in the fishery. During the closure, which will prohibit fishing in waters less than 50 fathoms (300 feet), NMFS will determine whether and how the fishery can operate while ensuring the survival of the turtles over the long term.

NMFS is closing the fishery in shallow waters because its data indicate the fishery had captured more than 8 times the number of sea turtles authorized previously by NMFS in its 2005 biological opinion. A Federal Register notice that will be published on Friday, May 1st, explains that further bottom longline fishing could jeopardize the existence of loggerhead sea turtles “unless action is taken to reduce the fishery’s impact on this threatened species.”

The Caribbean Conservation Corporation, Earthjustice, Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife and other groups sued NMFS in mid-April to seek protection for these imperiled animals and requested the emergency closure implemented today by NMFS.

“Today is a great victory for those who believe in protecting sea turtles from unnecessary harm and illegal capture to ensure their continued survival in the wild,” said Marydele Donnelly, International Policy Director with Caribbean Conservation Corporation. “We commend NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco for setting a new course for NMFS that relies on sound science to manage our oceans and protect marine wildlife for the future of all Americans.”

“After unconscionable delays and what could be the deaths of thousands of sea turtles, it’s great to know that protections are on the way,” said Donnelly. “We’ve witnessed an alarming decline in loggerhead turtle nesting in Florida of over 40% during the last decade; without a doubt, fisheries are the culprit in these declines. This closure begins to address one of the greatest threats to sea turtles in the United States and improves this species’ chance at survival.”

Details on Emergency Closure:

• Following the conservation organizations’ lawsuit filed April 15 and renewed action by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to support an emergency closure in mid-April, NMFS is closing the bottom longline fishery for up to 180 days.
• The closure will become effective May 16, 2009 (15 days after publication in the Federal Register) to provide two weeks for fishing trips that are now occurring to receive notice and reduce disruption on the fishery for already initiated trips.
• During this closure, NMFS states that it plans to complete a new biological opinion that will evaluate the impact of the fishery and insure that it is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the sea turtle species captured in it. It will also consider measures that could be used to reduce turtle capture and killing by the fishery, to allow it to reopen at a future date.
• NMFS also states that it is working with the Gulf Council to implement “long-term measures to reduce bycatch of sea turtles in the eastern Gulf of Mexico” which “are needed to provide protection for loggerhead sea turtles” in particular due to the long-term decline in their nesting population in Florida. Such long-term measures for consideration on a permanent basis would be implemented after a period of public notice during which all interested citizens would have full opportunity to comment.
• NMFS provides notice that it may renew the closure for a longer period of time if necessary for NMFS to fulfill its legal obligations under the Endangered Species Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Act to prevent further harm to threatened and endangered sea turtles.