Implementing Recent Decisions of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission

NOAA Fisheries publishes a final rule to implement recent decisions of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. These regulations implement catch limits for the U.S. longline fleet operating in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO), fishing effort limits for the U.S. WCPO purse seine fleet, restrictions on the use of fish aggregating devices for the purse seine fleet, and a prohibition on transshipments in the Eastern High Seas Special Management Area.

Effective August 30, 2018, the daily purse seine fishing effort reporting requirement for Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. Purse seine vessel owners and operators must report purse fishing effort daily only if and when directed by NOAA Fisheries.

NOAA Fisheries announced approval by the Office of Management and Budget of a collection-of-information requirement which was contained in regulations implementing recent decisions of the WCPFC. The intent of this final rule is to inform the public of the effectiveness of the collection-of-information requirement associated with daily purse seine fishing effort reports included in the final rule.