Changes to regulations pursuant to the FMP
| Year | Effective Date (Y/M/D) | Title | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 23/06/07 | Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan for West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Authorization of Deep-Set Buoy Gear | 88 FR 29545 |
| 2020 | 20/03/09 | Protected Species Hard Caps for the California/Oregon Large-Mesh Drift Gillnet Fishery (This rule was vacated in 2021 by court order.) | 85 FR 7246 |
| 2018 | 18/06/06 | Based on recommendations from the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), NMFS is issuing regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to implement Amendment 4 to the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Highly Migratory Species (HMS FMP). | 83 FR 19981 |
| 2018 | 18/04/13 | California Drift Gillnet Fishery; Implementation of a Federal Limited Entry Drift Gillnet Permit | 83 FR 11146 |
| 2015 | 15/08/05 | Revision to Prohibited Species Regulations | 80 FR 46519 |
| 2015 | 15/07/30 | Recreational Fishing Restrictions for Pacific Bluefin Tuna | 80 FR 44887 |
| 2014 | 14/N/A | Control Date for Large-Mesh Drift Gillnet Limited Entry Program | 79 FR 64161 |
| 2012 | 12/04/18 | Swordfish Retention Limits | 77 FR 15973 |
| 2011 | 11/10/13 | Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures | 76 FR 56327 |
| 2009 | 09/09/29 | Collection of a permit fee for vessel owners participating in commercial and charter recreational fishing for highly migratory species (HMS) in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the West Coast of California, Oregon, and Washington. | 74 FR 37177 |
| 2007 | 0711/14 | Daily bag limits for sport-caught albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) and bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off California | 72 FR 58258 |
| 2007 | 07/09/05 | Amend vessel identification regulations of the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS) | 72 FR 43563 |
| 2007 | 07/06/08 | Amend text in the regulations governing closures of the drift gillnet fishery in the Pacific Loggerhead Conservation Area during El Nino events | 72 FR 31756 |
| 2007 | 07/04/11 | Revise the method for renewing and replacing permits issued under the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS) | 72 FR 10935 |
| 2004 | 04/05/07 | Implement the approved portions of the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (FMP) | 69 FR 18443 |
International management
Regional fishery management organizations (RFMOs) are responsible for the conservation and management of fisheries for tunas and other species taken by tuna-fishing vessels both outside and within areas of national jurisdiction. These organizations agree to measures, usually by consensus, which are implemented by member countries for their flag vessels. In the Pacific Ocean the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) establish measures within their respective Convention Areas, as illustrated in the figure below. Notice that there is an area of overlap between the two Convention areas in the South Pacific.
West Coast fisheries are more directly affected by IATTC measures since vessels mostly fish within that Convention Area. However, the WCPFC is especially active in managing northern stocks (those predominately occurring north of 20° North latitude). In the case of Pacific bluefin tuna and North Pacific albacore, tuna scientists recognize a single North Pacific stock occurring in both convention areas. Furthermore, under domestic law the Chair of the Pacific Council, or his or her designee, is allocated a spot as a Commissioner for the United States Section to the WCPFC. This provides a direct advisory role for the Pacific Council in policies and proposals that the U.S. may advocate in the WCPFC. The Council frequently provides advice to U.S. delegations to these RFMOs and Council staff attends their meetings.
IATTC and WCPFC outcomes
Resolutions adopted at the 100th Regular Meeting of the IATTC (August 1-5, 2022)
- C-22-01 Application of Antigua Convention Article XV paragraph 4
- C-22-02 Compliance (replaces C-11-07)
- C-22-03 Transshipments (replaces C-12-07)
- C-22-04 North Albacore Harvest Strategy
- C-22-05 Closure periods
- C-22-06 Terms of reference for a Working Group on Ecosystem and Bycatch
- C-22-07 Establishment of an Ad Hoc Working Group on Electronic Monitoring
- C-22-08 Financing FY 2023
Conservation measures adopted at the Nineteenth Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (November 27-December 3, 2022)
- CMM 22-01 Conservation and Management Measure on a Management Procedure for WCPO Skipjack Tuna
- CMM 22-02 Conservation and Management Measure for North Pacific Swordfish
- CMM 22-03 Conservation and Management Measure on Establishing a Harvest Strategy for key fisheries and stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean
- CMM 22-04 Conservation and Management Measure for Sharks
- CMM 22-05 Standards, specifications and procedures for the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Record of Fishing Vessels
- CMM 22-06 Conservation and Management Measure on daily catch and effort reporting
Regulations for international HMS fisheries and related activities in the Pacific
| Year | Effective Date (Y/M/D) | Region | Title | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2024/08/06 | WCPO | Changes to Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits in Longline Fisheries | 89 FR 63841 |
| 2024 | 2024/07/02 | EPO | Safe Handling and Release Practices for Sharks on Longline Vessels and Revision to Vessel Monitoring System Requirements in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 89 FR 54724 |
| 2023 | 2023/11/03 | EPO | Inseason Action for 2023-2024 Commercial Pacific Bluefin Tuna Biennial Catch Limit in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 88 FR 69098 |
| 2023 | 2023/06/12 | WCPO | Fish Aggregating Device Design Requirements in Purse Seine Fisheries, IMO Number Requirements, and Bycatch Restrictions | 88 FR 30671 |
| 2023 | 2023/02/27 | EPO | 2022-2024 In-Season Action Announcement Procedures for Commercial Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 88 FR 5273 |
| 2022 | 2022/08/12 | EPO | 2022-2024 Commercial Fishing Restrictions for Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 87 FR 47939 |
| 2022 | 2022/07/25 | EPO | Fishing Restrictions for Tropical Tuna and Silky Shark in the Eastern Pacific Ocean for 2022 and Beyond | 87 FR 40731 |
| 2022 | 22/06/07 | WCPO | Extension of Period To Implement Decisions of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic | 87 FR 34584 |
| 2022 | 22/07/07 | WCPO | Implementation of Emergency Decisions of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission | 87 FR 34580 |
| 2022 | 22/03/25 | EPO | Purse Seine Observer Exemptions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 87 FR 17018 |
| 2021 | 21/09/01 | WCPO | Extension of Emergency Decisions of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission | 86 FR 48916 |
| 2021 | 21/08/06 | WCPO | Requirements To Safeguard Fishery Observers | 86 FR 35653 |
| 2021 | 21/06/11 | WCPO | Implementation of Emergency Decisions of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (Interim Final Rule) | 86 FR 31178 |
| 2021 | 21/03/29 | EPO | Commercial Fishing Restrictions for Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 86 FR 16303 |
| 2021 | 21/03/23 | EPO, WCPO | Area of Overlap Between the Convention Areas of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission | 86 FR 15428 |
| 2021 | 21/01/19 | EPO | Fishing Restrictions for Tropical Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean for 2021 | 86 FR 5033 |
| 2020 | 20/07/22 | EPO | Area of Overlap Between the Convention Areas of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission | 85 FR 37376 |
| 2020 | 20/06/17 | EPO | Fishing Restrictions for Silky Shark, Fish Aggregating Devices, and Observer Safety in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 85 FR 29666 |
| 2020 | 20/02/13 | EPO | Procedures for the Active and Inactive Vessel Register; Correction | 85FR8198 |
| 2019 | 20/01/21 | EPO | Procedures for the Active and Inactive Vessel Register | 84 FR 70040 |
| 2019 | 19/10/09 | WCPO | Closure of Purse Seine Fishery in the ELAPS in 2019 | 84 FR 52035 |
| 2019 | 19/07/31 | WCPO | Fishing Restrictions in Purse Seine Fisheries | 84 FR 37145 |
| 2019 | 19/05/08 | EPO | 2019 and 2020 Commercial Fishing Restrictions for Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 84 FR 18409 |
| 2018 | 19/01/07 | EPO | Fishing Restrictions for Fish Aggregating Devices in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 83 FR 62732 |
| 2018 | 18/09/18 | WCPO | Closure of Purse Seine Fishery on the High Seas in 2018 | 83 FR 45849 |
| 2018 | 18/07/18 | WCPO | Fishing Limits in Purse Seine and Longline Fisheries, Restrictions on the Use of Fish Aggregating Devices in Purse Seine Fisheries, and Transshipment Prohibitions | 83 FR 33851 |
| 2018 | 19/01/01 | EPO | Fishing Restrictions for Tropical Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean for 2018 to 2020 | 83 FR 15503 |
| 2018 | 18/04/27 | EPO | Revised 2018 Commercial Fishing Restrictions for Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean; 2018 Catch Limit | 83 FR 13203 |
| 2017 | 18/01/01 | EPO | Restrictions on Fishing for Sharks in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 82 FR 56177 |
| 2017 | 17/09/29 | EPO | Revised 2017 Fishing Restrictions for Tropical Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 82 FR 45514 |
| 2017 | 17/09/08 | EPO | 2017 Bigeye Tuna Longline Fishery Closure in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 82 FR 41562 |
| 2017 | 17/08/27 | EPO | 2017 Commercial Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fishery Closure in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 82 FR 40720 |
| 2017 | 17/05/22 | EPO | 2017 and 2018 Commercial Fishing Restrictions for Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 82 FR 18704 |
| 2017 | 17/05/11 | EPO | Fishing Restrictions for Tropical Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 82 FR 17382 |
| 2016 | 17/01/01 | EPO | Silky Shark Fishing Restrictions and Fish Aggregating Device Data Collection and Identification | 81 FR 86966 |
| 2016 | 16/08/01 | EPO | Fishing Restrictions Regarding Mobulid Rays | 81 FR 50401 |
| 2016 | 16/07/25 | EPO | 2016 Bigeye Tuna Longline Fishery Closure in the Eastern Pacific Ocea | 81 FR 46614 |
| 2016 | 16/07/15 | WCPO | 2016 Bigeye Tuna Longline Fishery Closure | 81 FR 45982 |
| 2016 | 16/07/25 | WCPO | Purse Seine Observer Requirements, and Fishing Restrictions and Limits in Purse Seine and Longline Fisheries for 2016-2017 | 81 FR 41239 |
| 2016 | 16/06/16 | EPO | Response to Petition for Rulemaking | 81 FR 39213 |
| 2016 | 16/06/06 | EPO | Amend Regulations Implementing Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission Resolution C-02-03 | 81 FR 36183 |
| 2016 | 16/05/25 | WCPO | Fishing Effort Limits in Purse Seine Fisheries for 2016 | 81 FR 33147 |
| 2016 | 16/05/26 | EPO/WCPO | Fishing Restrictions for the Area of Overlap Between the Convention Areas of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission | 81 FR 24501 |
| 2016 | 16/02/14 | EPO | 2016 Commercial Pacific Bluefin Tuna Catch Limit in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 81 FR 2110 |
| 2016 | 16/02/13 | EPO | Vessel Register Required Information, International Maritime Organization Numbering Scheme | 81 FR 1878 |
| 2105 | 16/01/14 | High Seas Fishing Compliance Act; Permitting and Monitoring of U.S. High Seas Fishing Vessels | 80 FR 62488 | |
| 2105 | 16/01/01 | EPO | Establishment of Tuna Vessel Monitoring System in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 80 FR 60533 |
| 2105 | 15/11/30 | WCPO | Fishing Effort and Catch Limits and Other Restrictions and Requirements | 80 FR 59037 |
| 2105 | 15/08/25 | WCPO | Purse Seine Fishing Restrictions During Closure Periods | 80 FR 51478 |
| 2105 | 15/08/25 | WCPO | Fishing Effort Limits in Purse Seine Fisheries for 2015 | 80 FR 51476 |
| 2105 | 15/08/12 | EPO | 2015 Bigeye Tuna Longline Fishery Closure in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 80 FR 46515 |
| 2105 | 15/07/23 | WCPO | Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits in Longline Fisheries for 2015 | 80 FR 43634 |
| 2105 | 15/07/09 | EPO | 2015 and 2016 Commercial Fishing Restrictions for Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean | 80 FR 38986 |
| 2105 | 15/06/15 | WCPO | Closure of Purse Seine Fishery in the ELAPS in 2015 | 80 FR 32313 |
| 2105 | 15/05/21 | WCPO | Fishing Effort Limits in Purse Seine Fisheries for 2015 | 80 FR 29220 |
| 2105 | 15/03/23 | WCPO | Fishing Restrictions Regarding the Oceanic Whitetip Shark, the Whale Shark, and the Silky Shark | 80 FR 8807 |