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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BM23 Publication ID: Spring 2025 
Title: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Electronic Reporting Requirements 
Abstract:

Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) are managed under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., and the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), id. 971 et seq., the implementing statute for binding recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. NMFS proposed modifying and/or expanding reporting requirements for Atlantic HMS, including reporting by commercial, for-hire, and private recreational vessel owners and dealers. Specifically, the proposed action considered requiring vessel owners, who currently report in existing paper commercial logbooks (i.e., Atlantic HMS logbook and the Southeast Coastal Fisheries Logbook Program), to report electronically. NMFS also proposed implementing new logbook requirements for vessel owners holding HMS Charter/Headboat permits or Atlantic Tunas General category permits, Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category permits, and/or Swordfish General Commercial permits. The proposed action considered modifying reporting options for private recreational vessel owners holding HMS Angling permits. Additionally, the proposed rule considered requiring HMS dealers to report individual fish weights for additional species (i.e., Atlantic bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack (BAYS) tunas, swordfish, and pelagic sharks). Under the proposed rule, all HMS reporting would become electronic, using systems or applications approved by NMFS for Atlantic HMS. Finally, the proposed action proposed technical changes to clarify certain HMS regulations. This action is being taken pursuant to the rulemaking authority under section 304(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. 16 U.S.C. 1854(c). The proposed rule comment period ended in January 2025. The comments received provide helpful feedback on the potential proposed measures, which are under consideration by the Agency. The Agency's final actions for this rulemaking will be based in part on feedback and public comments received on the proposed rule.

 
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 
EO 14192 Designation: Not subject to, not significant 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635   
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.    16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
ANPRM  05/12/2023  88 FR 30699   
ANPRM Comment Period End  08/18/2023 
NPRM  09/06/2024  89 FR 72796   
NPRM Comment Period End  01/06/2025 
Final Action  05/00/2026 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: YES  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes 
Agency Contact:
Kelly Denit
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362,
Silver Spring, MD 20901
Phone:301 427-8500
Email: kelly.denit@noaa.gov