International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Changes to Purse Seine Fish Aggregating Device Closure Periods

Résumé

NMFS seeks comments on this proposed rule issued under authority of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (WCPFC Implementation Act). The proposed rule would implement a recent decision of the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC or Commission). This decision shortens the duration of fish aggregating device (FAD) closure periods for the U.S. purse seine fishery. This action is necessary to satisfy the obligations of the United States under the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Species in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention), to which it is a formal signatory to the Convention (Contracting Party).