Reporting of Sea Turtle Incidental Takes in Virginia Chesapeake Bay Pound Net Operations

This request is for extension of a current information collection. This action would continue the reporting measure requiring all Virginia Chesapeake Bay pound net fishermen to report interactions with endangered and threatened sea turtles, found both live and dead, in their pound net operations. This reporting is required under Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulations, and is necessary to ensure sea turtles are being conserved and protected, as mandated by the ESA. When a live or dead sea turtle is discovered during a pound net trip, the Virginia pound net fisherman is required to report the incidental take to National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and, if necessary, the appropriate rehabilitation and stranding network. This information will be used to monitor the level of incidental take in the state-managed Virginia pound net fishery and ensure that the seasonal pound net leader restrictions (50 CFR 223.206(d)(10)) are adequately protecting listed sea turtles.

The latest form for Reporting of Sea Turtle Incidental Takes in Virginia Chesapeake Bay Pound Net Operations expires 2026-04-30 and can be found here.