International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries

NMFS issues a final rule to implement the 2002 management measures to prevent overfishing of eastern tropical Pacific(ETP) tuna stocks pursuant to recommendations by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). These measures have been approved by the Department of State (DOS) under the terms of the Tuna Conventions Act. The purse seine fishery for tuna in the Convention Area will be closed the month of December, 2002. This action is taken to limit total fishing mortality caused by purse seine fishing in the Convention Area and thus prevent overfishing and maintain the tuna stocks at sustainable levels. In addition, the current bycatch reduction pilot program scheduled to run through 2002 is extended through 2004.