International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries

Samenvatting

NMFS proposes this rule to implement the 2002 management measures to prevent overfishing of eastern tropical Pacific ocean (ETP) tuna stocks, pursuant to recommendations by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) that have been approved by the Department of State (DOS) under the terms of the Tuna Conventions Act. The purse seine fishery for tuna in the Convention Area would be closed for the month of December, 2002. This action is taken to limit total fishing mortality caused by purse seine fishing in the Convention Area and thus prevent overfishing and maintain the tuna stocks at levels that support healthy fisheries. In addition, the current bycatch reduction pilot program scheduled to run through 2002 would be extended through 2004.