International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Fishing Restrictions and Observer Requirements in Purse Seine Fisheries for 2009-2011

NMFS announces that the catch retention requirements for U.S. purse seine fishing vessels operating 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) will be applicable from 00:00 on June 14, 2010, Universal Coordinated Time (UTC). In accordance with regulations, the requirements will be applicable until 24:00 on December 31, 2011, UTC, or until nullified by a notification in the Federal Register. This action is being taken to implement, for U.S. fishing vessels, the catch retention measures adopted by the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC) at its regular annual session in December 2008. The action will have the effect of requiring that U.S. purse seine vessels do not discard any bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna, or skipjack tuna at sea within the Convention Area, except in certain specified circumstances.