Reef Fish Amendment 49 Modifications to Sea Turtle Release Gear and Framework Procedure for the Reef Fish Fishery

The purpose is to allow the use of three new sea turtle release gear types and establish a new length limit for a currently required gear to release incidentally hooked sea turtles and other protected species. Further, the purpose is to streamline the process for allowing federal commercial and charter vessel/headboat reef fish permit holders to use additional gear types and handling procedures for incidentally hooked sea turtles and other protected species after they are approved by the SEFSC.