International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Fish Aggregating Device Design and Reporting Requirements in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

Résumé

NMFS proposes regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950 (TCA), as amended, to implement two resolutions adopted at the 101st meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in August 2023. These resolutions include Resolution C-23-03 ("Amendment to Resolution C-99-07 on Fish Aggregating Devices") and Resolution C- 23-04 ("On the Design and Biodegradability of Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (DFADs) in the IATTC Area of Competence"). The proposed rule would modify regulations for the design of fish aggregating devices (FADs) in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) to require non-entangling and biodegradable materials. Furthermore, the proposed rule would require that data related to the recovery of FADs for the purpose of final disposal or recycling in the EPO be collected by vessel owners and operators, and submitted to the IATTC, unless that information is already collected and submitted to the IATTC by an observer.