May 3, 2018 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT/WHEN:

• NOAA Fisheries requires sea turtle safe handling and release gear be onboard federally-permitted commercial and for-hire vessels in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery to increase fisherman and sea turtle safety if incidentally captured; there are also sea turtle handling protocols that describe the proper techniques for removing fishing gear.
• NOAA Fisheries will be holding workshops and dockside outreach in the locations listed below.
• During the outreach opportunities, NOAA Fisheries personnel will review the gear requirements and handling protocols.
• For more information, contact Charlie Bergmann at (228) 238-4109 or charles.bergmann@noaa.gov.
• Additional information on sea turtle safe handling and release gear and protocols are available at the following:

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/turtle_sawfish_release/index.html.

Note: Workshops will take place May 7-15, 2018 in Florida. See the complete Fishery Bulletin from NOAA Fisheries for a list of dates, times, and locations for the workshops.