NMFS Issues Final Rule for Highly Migratory Species in Western and Central Pacific Ocean

Summary

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a final rule and specifications to implement conservation and management measures for highly migratory fish species in the western and central Pacific Ocean, in accordance with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (WCPFC Implementation Act). The rule establishes limits on fishing effort and catches, as well as spatial and temporal restrictions on fishing activities, and requires U.S. fishing vessels to obtain International Maritime Organization (IMO) numbers and install vessel monitoring system units.