# 2020 Annual Determination To Implement the Sea Turtle Observer Requirement
> **Rule** · Final determination. · Published 2020-08-31 · Effective 2020-09-30 · 85 FR 53684
## Document
- **Document number:** 2020-17201
- **Category:** endangered-species
- **Species:** sea turtle
- **Federal Register citation:** 85 FR 53684
- **Publication date:** 2020-08-31
- **Effective date:** 2020-09-30
- **NOAA docket:** Docket No. 200731-0203
## Abstract

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes the final Annual Determination (AD) for 2020, pursuant to its authority under the Endangered Species Act (ESA or 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 fisheries 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 2020 AD (see Table 1) will remain on the AD for a five-year period from the effective date of the final determination and will be required to carry observers upon NMFS' request.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/08/31/2020-17201/2020-annual-determination-to-implement-the-sea-turtle-observer-requirement)
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