Reproductive data from Atlantic sharpnose sharks were collected from specimens captured throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico on various research vessels. Data included those necessary to describe the size at maturity, reproductive cycle, mating period, gestation time and fecundity of the species.

Reproductive data from Squalus cubensis (Cuban dogfish) were opportunistically collected from 2005-2012. Data include those necessary to examine reproductive cycle, fecundity, gestation period, and size at maturity for the species.

Morphometric and meristic data from two species of rays within the genus Rhinoptera were collected to facilitate accurate identifications of the two species. Data were compared, based on genetic verification of specimens, to determine if both species (i.e. R. bonasus and R. brasiliensis) are present in the northern Gulf of Mexico and off the east coast of the United States. Specimens were obtained from a number of sources, including NOAA surveys, fishing tournaments and museum collections.

The April 18, 2014, Biological Opinion requires NOAA Fisheries Gear Monitoring Team to ensure compliance with Turtle Excluder Device (TED) regulations at a level that keeps overall average sea turtle catch rates (i.e., sea turtles that do not escape via the TED and are captured) in the shrimp otter trawl fleet at or below 12%. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) and Southeast Fisheries Science Center Mississippi Laboratory, inspect TEDs in otter trawls on shrimp vessels in the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico for their compliance with TED regulations.

The data set contains data from the initial “Proof of Concept” research and development phase of shrimp trawl Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) conducted off of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama by the Harvesting Systems Unit of NOAA Fisheries Service, Mississippi Laboratories. Prototype BRD designs are tested during paired comparisons where the catch of the BRD test net is compared to a net with no BRD (control). The dataset contains the tow information, catch, and length frequency data obtained during the trials.

Skimmer trawls are utilized throughout the southeastern United States to target penaeid shrimp (Penaeidae). Because the codends of these trawls can be readily retrieved, skimmer trawls are allowed to utilize restricted tow times (55 and 75 minute, seasonally) in lieu of Turtle Excluder Device (TED) requirements as a sea turtle bycatch mitigation measure. However, observations aboard commercial vessels indicate that tow times are often exceeded. In 2008, the Southeast Fisheries Science Center Mississippi Laboratories began investigating the feasibility of TED use in skimmer trawls.

Skimmer trawls are utilized throughout the southeastern United States to target penaeid shrimp (Penaeidae). Because the codends of these trawls can be readily retrieved, skimmer trawls are allowed to utilize restricted tow times (55 and 75 minute, seasonally) in lieu of Turtle Excluder Device (TED) requirements as a sea turtle bycatch mitigation measure. However, observations aboard commercial vessels indicate that tow times are often exceeded.

Since 1988, the Southeast Fisheries Science Center Mississippi Laboratories has conducted Turtle Excluder Device (TED) certification testing that utilizes captive-reared sea turtles obtained from the SEFSC, Galveston Laboratory. The objectives of the study are to evaluate candidate TEDs for sea turtle exclusion efficiency following a standardized small turtle testing protocol (Federal Register, Vol. 55, No. 195). The protocol consists of towing a 50 ft, western jib trawl directly astern of a vessel at a towing speed of 2.5 kts.

The Southeast Fisheries Science Center Mississippi Laboratories is responsible for new gear development and testing to reduce bycatch and incidental interactions of protected species. A gear repository and associated fishing gear database are maintained and updated quarterly to track all reported human interactions with sea turtles strandings. Fishing gear and other articles from human interactions are collected by the Southeast Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) and shipped to the gear repository for analysis and archiving.

The Southeast Fisheries Science Center Mississippi Laboratories is responsible for new gear development and testing to reduce bycatch and incidental interactions of protected species. In 2003, gear taken from a Bryde’s whale was sent for identification and to provide details on the possible origin of the interaction. This exercise prompted an initiative by the Southeast Regional Office and the SEFSC to develop a gear repository for the Southeast region. Soon thereafter a database was created to track all reported human interactions with marine mammals.