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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BI78 Publication ID: Spring 2021 
Title: International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Fishing Restrictions in Purse Seine Fisheries 
Abstract:

This rulemaking action would domestically implement recent management measures and other decisions adopted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) related to limiting purse seine fishing effort in 2019 in order to ensure the sustainability of bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack tuna in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). Such measures are similar in nature to those set by the WCPFC in the past. As before, NMFS is undertaking this rulemaking with respect to U.S. purse seine vessels fishing in the WCPO under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.) in order to meet the responsibilities of the United States as a member of the WCPFC. In doing so, this action would place fishing effort limits on the U.S. purse seine fleet fishing in the WCPO for the high seas and the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) so that if the limits are reached in the calendar year, the fleet would be unable to fish on the high seas or U.S. EEZ for the rest of the calendar year. Specifically, this action could establish a combined limit for purse seiners fishing in the Effort Limit Area for Purse Seine (or ELAPS), which comprises the areas of the high seas and U.S. EEZ between 20 degrees N. latitude and 20 degrees S. latitude in the WCPFC Convention Area.

 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300   
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Interim Final Rule  07/31/2019  84 FR 37145   
Interim Final Rule Effective  07/31/2019 
Interim Final Rule Comment Period End  08/30/2019 
Second Interim Final Rule  05/00/2021 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Michael Tosatto
Regional Administrator, Pacific Islands Region
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176,
Honolulu, HI 96818
Phone:808 725-5000
Email: michael.tosatto@noaa.gov