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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BA66 Publication ID: Spring 2011 
Title: ●Management Measures for Tuna Fisheries Operating in the Eastern Pacific Ocean  
Abstract: NMFS proposes regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, as amended, to implement decisions of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). At its eighty-first meeting, in September 2010, the IATTC adopted the following three recommendations: (1) Recommendation on Tuna Conservation 2011-2013 (C-10-01); (2) Recommendation on Seabirds (C-10-02); and (3) Recommendation Prohibiting Fishing on Data Buoys (C-10-03). The United States already has domestic seabird conservation measures in place for U.S. longline fisheries that operate in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) that satisfy the requirements under Recommendation C-10-02. Thus, this rule would implement IATTC Recommendations C-10-01 and C-10-03, and update vessel monitoring system (VMS) requirements in the EPO in accordance with IATTC Resolution C-04-06. This rule would amend current tuna conservation measures in the longline and purse seine fisheries by (1) reducing the duration of the purse seine closure period in the EPO from 73 to 62 days in 2011 and continuing this purse seine closure period in 2012 and 2013; (2) allowing vessel owners to choose between two closure periods each year rather than requiring the entire U.S. fleet to adhere to one closure period; (3) continuing the 500 metric ton bigeye tuna quota for large-scale longline vessels for 2011-2013; (4) renewing the tuna retention program in the purse seine fishery (5) prohibiting tuna fishing vessels from fishing within one nautical mile of data buoys in the EPO; and (6) requiring tuna fishing vessels over 24 meters in length to install and operate VMS. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: First time 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 USC 951 to 961 and 971 et seq   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  06/00/2011    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes  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: Yes 
Agency Contact:
Mark Helvey
Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Southwest Region, 501 West Ocean Boulevard,
Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone:562 980-4040
Fax:562 980-4047
Email: mark.helvey@noaa.gov