NOAA Fisheries has proposed regulations that would implement provisions adopted by the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. The United States is a Contracting Party to the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean; this rule would satisfy international obligations under the Convention. Issues addressed in the proposed rule include: authorization to fish, a vessel monitoring system, scientific observer programs, transshipment restrictions, reporting and recordkeeping, compliance with the laws of other nations, facilitation of enforcement and inspection, and confidentiality of information.
Comments on this proposed rule may be submitted at www.regulations.gov until June 22, 2009. For more information, contact Tom Graham at 808-944-2219.