Final Annual Determination for 2021

NOAA Fisheries will not identify additional fisheries to observe on the 2021 Annual Determination (AD), pursuant to its authority under the Endangered Species Act. Through the AD, NMFS identifies U.S. fisheries operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific Ocean that will be required to take observers upon NMFS’ request. The purpose of observing identified fisheries is to learn more about sea turtle bycatch in a given fishery, evaluate measures to prevent or reduce sea turtle bycatch, and implement the prohibition against sea turtle takes. Fisheries identified on the 2018 and 2020 ADs remain on the AD for a 5-year period and are required to carry observers upon NMFS’ request until December 31, 2022, and September 29, 2025 respectively.