
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 30, 1994                    TAG: 9406300580 
SECTION: LOCAL                     PAGE: B4    EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA  
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: 940630                                 LENGTH: WASHINGTON, D.C.

FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY SHRIMPERS IN AREA DON'T NEED TEDS NOW

{LEAD} Because of high concentrations of algae in a small area off North Carolina, shrimpers in the area will be allowed to use limited tow times instead of turtle excluder devices, federal officials said Tuesday.

The exemption from the Department of Commerce's rules is effective immediately.

{REST} It is available to shrimpers who register with the National Marine Fisheries Service to trawl under specific tow time limits without TEDs between Rich Inlet and Brown's Inlet.

The high accumulation of algae found in the 30-mile-long, one-mile-wide area frequently clogs the excluder devices and makes shrimping inefficient, according to fisheries service officials.

Shrimpers will be allowed a 30-minute tow time through Aug. 15; a 55-minute tow time from Aug. 16 through Oct. 30; and a 75-minute tow time from Nov. 1 through Nov.30.

And if required to do so, shrimpers must carry a fisheries service-approved observer.

NMFS may impose more restrictive times, require TED-use in the area and take other conservation measures deemed necessary if the agency finds that threatened and endangered sea turtles require added protection, according to fisheries officials.

To register for the North Carolina tow limit, contact the NMFS's Southeast Regional Office in St. Petersburg, Fla. at (813) 893-3366.

by CNB