The US government is reminding shrimp harvesters in the Gulf of Mexico and southeast Atlantic that boats must now have escape hatches for sea turtles installed in their nets, the Associated Press reports. Boats that are at least 40 feet long (12.2 meters) and use skimmer nets must now use turtle excluder devices (TED), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said. "Vessel owners who haven't yet acquired TEDs should consider getting orders in well in advance of their planned fishing trips to make sure they don't experience delays," NOAA said The devices have been required for decades in the larger, more common, offshore nets called otter trawls. Skimmer trawl vessels less than 40 feet (12.2 meters) that lack TEDs must limit tow times to 55 minutes from April 1 through Oct. 31 and 75 minutes from Nov. 1 through March 31 [...]
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