Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals; Yellowfin Tuna Purse Seine Fishing

Resumo

NMFS issues this final rule to codify the definition of ``import'' as used in the regulations restricting imports into the United States of yellowfin tuna and certain other fish and fish products for purposes of limiting mortality to marine mammals taken during commercial fishing operations. The definition clarifies that a fish importation occurs under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), when fish or fish products are released for entry into a nation by that nation's customs authority, and not simply upon physical entry into its territory.