International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2022-2024 In-Season Action Announcement Procedures for Commercial Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

NMFS is issuing regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, as amended (TCA), to revise in-season action announcement procedures for the commercial fisheries for Pacific bluefin tuna.

This final rule amends procedures to add notice of in-season action by direct emails to the affected public in addition to publication in the Federal Register. In-season actions will be effective upon the earlier of either receipt of the notice by email or publication of the notice in the Federal Register. In-season actions will also be posted on the NMFS website.

This rule adds a provision to the in-season action procedures to allow any Pacific bluefin tuna already on board a fishing vessel on the effective date of a notice of in-season action to be retained on board and landed or transshipped within 24 hours of the effective date of the in-season action. See our page for up-to-date information on Pacific bluefin tuna commercial harvest status.