IMPACT OF TURTLE EXCLUDER DEVICES ON SHRIMPING.

SEC. 212. IMPACT OF TURTLE EXCLUDER DEVICES ON SHRIMPING.(a) In General.—The Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere shall execute an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct, jointly, a multi-year, comprehensive in-water study designed—(1) to measure accurately the efforts and effects of shrimp fishery efforts to utilize turtle excluder devices;(2) to analyze the impact of those efforts on sea turtle mortality, including interaction between turtles and shrimp trawlers in the inshore, nearshore, and offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico and similar geographical locations in the waters of the Southeastern United States; and(3) to evaluate innovative technologies to increase shrimp retention in turtle excluder devices while ensuring the protection of endangered and threatened sea turtles.(b) Observers.—In conducting the study, the Undersecretary shall ensure that observers are placed onboard commercial shrimp fishing vessels where appropriate or necessary.120 STAT. 3619(c) Interim Reports.—During the course of the study and until a final report is submitted to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Resources, the National Academy of Sciences shall transmit interim reports to the Committees biannually containing a summary of preliminary findings and conclusions from the study.