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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BA85 Publication ID: Spring 2011 
Title: ●Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Requirements for Transshipping and Bunkering, Notification of Entry and Exit Into High Seas Special Management Area, and Discards 
Abstract: Pursuant to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act, the Secretary of Commerce is authorized to implement regulations to carry out the obligations of the United States under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention (Convention), including the implementation of decisions of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (Commission). At its Sixth Regular Session, in December 2009, the Commission adopted provisions for transshipments of highly migratory species (HMS) fish in the Commission's area of competence and of HMS fish caught in the Commission's area of competence but transshipped elsewhere, as well as provisions regarding bunkering and other support activities with certain vessels and provisions regarding the reporting of discards from purse seine fishing vessels. At its Seventh Regular Session, in December 2010, the Commission adopted provisions for a high seas special management area. This rule would implement these decisions adopted by the Commission by establishing the following requirements: Reporting requirements for transshipments of HMS fish in the Commission's area of competence and of fish caught in the Commission's area of competence but transshipped elsewhere; requirements to provide prior notice of transshipments on the high seas; requirements to provide notice of emergency transshipments that would otherwise be prohibited; requirements for observer coverage for transshipments at sea; prohibitions on transshipments and bunkering and other support activities with certain foreign-flagged vessels; requirements to provide notice before entering and exiting a high seas special management area; reporting requirements for discards of catch from purse seine vessels; and requirements regarding net sharing between purse seine vessels. 
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 6901 et seq   
Legal Deadline:
Action Source Description Date
NPRM  Statutory  Rules implementing the WCPFC Implementation Act must be effective as soon as possible to satisfy the United State's international obligations.  05/13/2011 
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  10/00/2011    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Dr. Charles Karnella
Pacific Islands Area Office
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Suite 1110, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard,
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700
Phone:808 973-2985
Fax:808 973-2941
Email: charles.karnella@noaa.gov