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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 Commissions area of competence, including a provision that requires Commission members to prohibit vessels (other than purse seine vessels, which are prohibited from transshipping anywhere at sea) flying their flags from transshipping on the high seas in the Convention Area, subject to certain considerations. This rulemaking would implement the Commissions decision on high seas transshipments.

Overall Description of Deadline: Pursuant to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act, the Secretary of Commerce is authorized to implement the decisions of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (Commission). The Commission decision to be implemented through this rulemaking includes provisions that went into effect in 2010, which requires an effective date for this rule as soon as possible to satisfy belated U.S. international obligations.