# Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Plan; Sea Turtle Conservation; Modification to Fishing Activities
> **Rule** · Final rule. · Published 2015-02-09 · Effective 2015-03-11 · 80 FR 6925
## Document
- **Document number:** 2015-02607
- **Category:** endangered-species
- **Species:** dolphin
- **Federal Register citation:** 80 FR 6925
- **Publication date:** 2015-02-09
- **Effective date:** 2015-03-11
- **NOAA docket:** Docket No. 110812495-4999-03
## Abstract

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issues this final rule amending the Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Plan (BDTRP) and its implementing regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The rule requires the year-round use of modified pound net leaders for offshore Virginia pound nets in specified waters of the lower mainstem Chesapeake Bay and coastal state waters. Virginia pound net-related definitions, gear prohibitions, and non-regulatory measures are also finalized. This final rule is based on consensus recommendations of the Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Team (BDTRT). For consistency, NMFS also amends current regulations and definitions for Virginia pound nets under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for sea turtle conservation.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/02/09/2015-02607/taking-of-marine-mammals-incidental-to-commercial-fishing-operations-bottlenose-dolphin-take)
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