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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BA49 Publication ID: Spring 2011 
Title: ●Fisheries in the Eastern Pacific Ocean; Pelagic Fisheries; Vessel Identification Requirements 
Abstract: This rule would allow vessels that fish for highly migratory species (HMS) on the high seas off the U.S. West Coast to be marked with the vessel's International Telecommunication Union Radio Call Sign (IRCS). The revisions would also provide that if an IRCS has not been assigned to the vessel, the marking may consist of the vessel's Federal, state, or tribal official number, preceded by the characters "USA." The intent of the proposed action is to bring the existing vessel identification requirements at 50 CFR 660.704 [general HMS fisheries regulations under a fishery management plan] and 300.173 [regulations governing fishing under the U.S.-Canada Albacore Treaty] into conformity with the binding vessel identification requirements adopted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), and which were imposed in early 2010 on U.S. fishing vessels fishing in the Convention Area under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention (75 FR 3335, January 21, 2010). This action would allow U.S. HMS fishing vessels in the Eastern Pacific that also fish in the WCPFC Convention Area to comply with a consistent vessel marking and identification scheme and avoid the burden of switching vessel markings when crossing between ocean areas. Vessels could opt to continue using their current vessel identification (the only vessels likely to make this choice are those that do not fish in the WCPFC Convention Area). 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Info./Admin./Other 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300.173    50 CFR 660.704   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq    16 USC 2431 et seq    16 USC 7001 et seq    31 USC 9701 et seq   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  04/05/2011  76 FR 18706   
NPRM Comment Period End  05/05/2011    
Final Action  07/00/2011    
Final Rule Effective  08/00/2011    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Heidi Hermsmeyer
IATTC Coordinator
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
501 West Ocean Boulevard,
Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone:562 980-4036
Fax:562 980-4047
Email: heidi.hermsmeyer@noaa.gov