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Pacific Ocean Fisheries and Agreements

Pacific Islands

About

In the Pacific Islands region, NOAA Fisheries and other government agencies share responsibility for negotiating and implementing international fisheries agreements encompassing the western and central Pacific Ocean.

Targeted and bycatch species migrate across the high seas and the exclusive economic zones in various countries. These countries, including the United States, cooperatively manage international Pacific Ocean fisheries, particularly highly migratory species such as tuna and billfish, through several multilateral fisheries agreements. 

More Information

Actions

Current Recently Finalized Historical Actions

Temporary Closure of the U.S. Purse Seine Fishery on the High Seas

NOAA Fisheries announces the closure of the U.S. purse seine fishery on the high seas in the area of application of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention Area
Temporary Rule
,
Pacific Islands
Effective
09/18/2018

Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the U.S. Purse Seine Fishery in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean

NOAA Fisheries is intending to develop an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to meet requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act for the continued authorization of the U.S. purse seine fishery in the western and central Pacific Ocean under
Notice
,
Pacific Islands
Published
08/23/2018

Submit Comments for Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Area of Overlapping Jurisdiction in the Pacific Ocean

Overlap Between the Convention Areas of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. NOAA Fisheries publishes an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to seek public input about management of U.S
Notice
Published
05/10/2018
There are no recently finalized actions associated with this management plan.

Fishing Effort Limits for U.S. Purse Seine Vessels in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean

This interim final rule establishes limits on fishing effort by U.S. purse seine vessels in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and on the high seas between the latitudes of 20° N. and 20° S. in the area of application of the Convention on the
Interim Rule
,
Pacific Islands
Effective
07/31/2019

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), fi
Final Rule
Effective
08/30/2018

Fishing Restrictions for Tropical Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean for 2018 to 2020

NOAA Fisheries is issuing regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act to implement Resolution C-17-02 (Conservation Measures for Tropical Tunas in the Eastern Pacific Ocean During 2018-2020 and Amendment to Resolution C-17-01), which was adopted at the 92n
Final Rule
,
Pacific Islands
Published
04/11/2018

Fishing Effort and Catch Limits and Other Restrictions and Requirements for Highly Migratory Species

A final rule to establish a framework to specify limits on fishing effort and catches, other fisheries restrictions and requirements.
Final Rule
,
Pacific Islands
Published
10/01/2015

Last updated by Pacific Islands Regional Office on 04/29/2022