To safeguard endangered sea turtles, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has partnered for the second consecutive year with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard. This collaboration focuses on the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, where they conducted a three-day operation to improve inspections of turtle excluder devices (TEDs).
TEDs are vital for the survival of sea turtles as they allow these creatures, inadvertently caught in shrimp nets, to escape safely. Before the implementation of TED requirements, it was estimated that around 11,000 sea turtles were lost annually to shrimping nets. The operation’s primary objective was to ensure that commercial shrimp boats were equipped with proper gear that complies with regulatory standards.
During this initiative, turtle biologists from NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Protected Resources National Sea Turtle Program educated participants on the life history of sea turtles and the current trends in local populations. A team of 24 officers was deployed across six vessels to patrol the sanctuary and surrounding waters. They conducted a series of on-board inspections, focusing primarily on vessels operating in the southern Gulf of Mexico’s federal waters. The teams also extended their patrol to areas within the sanctuary as adverse weather conditions set in. The shrimpers, mainly targeting pink shrimp, came from various ports from Texas to Florida.
To minimize disruptions to fishing operations, inspections were carried out when vessels were not actively fishing. Fishermen showed cooperation and were receptive to the inquiries and inspections conducted by the officers. Although most infractions were minor and corrected on-site, such as adjustments to the net flaps on the TEDs, more severe breaches involving the structural integrity of TED bars prompted formal investigations. Such defects can significantly decrease the chances of a turtle escaping unharmed.
This operation underscores the importance of combined efforts by federal and state agencies in preserving marine sanctuaries and protecting vulnerable marine species. Anyone witnessing or suspecting fishery violations can report them by texting 847411 (Tip411) with the keyword “FWC” or by calling the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922).
