International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; High Seas Transshipment Prohibitions

Résumé

NMFS is considering promulgating regulations under the authority of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (WCPFC Implementation Act) to prohibit the transshipment of highly migratory species (HMS) on the high seas to or from certain types of U.S. vessels that operate in the area of application of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention). These regulations would implement certain decisions of the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Commission or WCPFC) in order to meet the obligations of the United States under the Convention. NMFS issues this advance notice of proposed rulemaking to solicit information and comments about HMS transshipment activities by U.S. vessels, and the potential effects of a prohibition on high seas transshipments in the Convention Area.