International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2025-2026 Commercial Fishing Restrictions for Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

Samenvatting

NMFS is proposing regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, as amended (TCA), to implement Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) Resolution C-24-02 (Measures for the Conservation and Management of Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean) adopted by the IATTC in September 2024. This proposed rule would implement annual and trip limits on United States commercial catch of Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) (PBF) in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) for 2025-2026. This action is necessary to conserve PBF and for the United States to satisfy its obligations as a member of the IATTC. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), NMFS also announces the availability of a draft environmental assessment (EA) that analyzes the potential effects of the associated proposed rule.