Requirements to Document U.S. Flag Fishing Industry Vessels of 100 Feet or Greater in Registered Length and To Hold a Preferred Mortgage on Such Vessels

The Maritime Administration ("MARAD, we, our, or us") is amending its regulations that implement the U.S. citizenship requirements and mortgage requirements set forth in the American Fisheries Act of 1998 ("AFA") for vessels of 100 feet or greater in registered length for which a fishery endorsement to the vessel's documentation is sought. Section 2202 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2001, amended the AFA on July 24, 2001. This rule implements the new statutory requirements for the owners of fishing vessels, fish processing vessels and fish tender vessels of 100 feet or greater in registered length (collectively referred to as "fishing industry vessels"), amends the requirements to hold a preferred mortgage on such fishing industry vessels, and makes other minor amendments to the regulations to address issues that arose during the early stages of MARAD's implementation of the new AFA regulations.