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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-AV12 Publication ID: Spring 2015 
Title: High Seas Fishing Compliance Act; Amendment of Regulations 
Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service proposes regulatory changes to improve the administration of the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act (HSFCA) program and facilitate the monitoring of U.S. flag vessels operating on the high seas. The action includes, for all high seas fishing vessels, adjustments to permitting and reporting requirements to provide for reviews of high seas fishing activities under environmental laws, particularly the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act, prior to permitting such activities. It also includes requirements for the installation and operation of vessel monitoring system units, placement of observers on vessels, and reporting of transshipments on the high seas to fill, for high seas areas, gaps in the monitoring, control, and surveillance requirements not covered by other fisheries-related regulations. Although other existing regulations govern certain fishing activities on the high seas to varying degrees, this rule would establish a minimum standard to facilitate monitoring and surveillance of all U.S. vessels operating on the high seas. Establishing a minimum standard, and closing regulatory gaps, would facilitate enforcement of international conservation and management measures with respect to U.S. flag vessels. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300   
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 5501 et seq.   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  07/00/2015 
Final Action  10/00/2015 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
International Impacts: This regulatory action will be likely to have international trade and investment effects, or otherwise be of international interest.
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
John Henderschedt
Director, Office for International Affairs and Seafood Inspection
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1315 East-West Highway, Room 10362,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone:301 427-8314
Email:  john.henderschedt@noaa.gov