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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-AH89 Publication ID: Spring 1997 
Title: Identification of Special Sea Turtle Conservation Areas and Appropriate Conservation Measures 
Abstract: NMFS is issuing a final rule to amend the regulations protecting sea turtles. The final rule: Removes the approval of the Morrison, Parrish, and Taylor soft turtle excluder devices (TEDs), effective April 1, 1997; removes the approval of all soft TEDs, effective 1 year after the final rule is published; requires that TEDs be installed in try nets with a headrope length greater than 12 ft (3.6 m) and a footrope length greater than 15 ft (4.6 m), effective 1 year after the final rule is published; establishes Shrimp Fishery Sea Turtle Conservation Areas (SFSTCAs); and, within the SFSTCAs, removes the approval of all soft TEDs, imposes the new TED requirement for try nets, and modifies the requirements for bottom-opening hard TEDs. This final rule is necessary to enhance the effectiveness of the regulations protecting sea turtles in reducing sea turtle mortality resulting from shrimp trawling in the Atlantic and Gulf Areas in the southeastern United States. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Completed Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 227    50 CFR 217   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 1531 et seq   
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
ANPRM  09/13/1995  60 FR 47544   
ANPRM Comment Period End  11/13/1995    
NPRM  04/27/1996  61 FR 18102   
NPRM Comment Period End  07/15/1996    
Final Action  12/19/1996  61 FR 66933   
Final Action Effective  12/19/1996  61 FR 66933   
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
Agency Contact:
Kathryn Conant
Habitat Specialist, NMFS, Office of Habitat Conservation
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1315 East-West Highway,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone:301 713-2325
Fax:301 713-1043
Email: kathryn.conant@noaa.gov