Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Team (2005-present)

CONCUR is facilitating the Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Team (PLTRT) for the National Marine Fisheries Service. The aim is to complete a regulatory negotiation to reduce take of protected pilot whales and Risso’s dolphin species. Team members include representatives of the longline fleet from Maine to Florida, state and regional fisheries organizations, national marine conservation organizations, and senior NMFS staff.

Starting in 2005, CONCUR worked directly with NMFS to convene the team, conduct an initial assessment, draft groundrules, outline a work program, facilitate brainstorming and text drafting sessions, and manage all logistical arrangements necessary to support the PLTRT. The PLTRT reached agreement on all substantive issues including a mix of regulatory and non-regulatory take reduction measures. The draft rule was published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2008. The final rule was published May 19, 2009, and went into effect June 18, 2009. With the publication of this rule, the PLTRT moves into a new monitoring phase to determine the effectiveness of the developed measures in reducing pilot whale and Risso’s dolphin bycatch. CONCUR expects to facilitate ongoing Team deliberations related to pilot whale stock structure and new findings from gear and biological research related to the PLTRT.