International trade · 07/06/2011

American Samoa Longline Gear Modifications To Reduce Turtle Interactions

The Western Pacific Pelagic Fisheries is proposing a rule to reduce turtle interactions in the Pacific Ocean by requiring specific gear configurations for longline fishing vessels, including those based in American Samoa and those over 40 ft in length, while fishing south of the Equator. The rule aims to set longline hooks at depths of 100 meters or deeper to minimize interactions with Pacific green sea turtles.