50 CFR § 300.210-300.228 - International Fisheries Regulations - Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species.

This Subpart of the International Fisheries Regulations implements provisions of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act and the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC) and applies to persons and vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Only a fishing vessel that has a valid high seas fishing permit is eligible to receive a WCPFC Area Endorsement. The owner and operator of a fishing vessel of the United States with a WCPFC Area Endorsement or for which a WCPFC Area Endorsement is required: (a) May not use the vessel for fishing, retaining fish on board, or landing fish in areas under the jurisdiction of a nation other than the United States unless any license, permit, or other authorization that may be required by such other nation for such activity has been issued with respect to the vessel; (b) shall, when the vessel is in the Convention Area in areas under the jurisdiction of a member of the Commission other than the United States, operate the vessel in compliance with, and ensure its crew complies with, the applicable national laws of such member. Other provisions of this Subpart concern, among other things: vessel information to be provided to the Pacific Islands Regional Administrator; observers; transshipping, bunkering and net sharing; vessel identification; reporting and recordkeeping requirements; use of vessel monitoring system; prohibitions and restrictions regarding fishing and related activities, in particular longline and purse seine fishing; entrance of the Eastern High Seas Special Management Area; protection of certain sharks. To implement conservation and management measures adopted by the Commission, the Pacific Islands Regional Administrator may specify limits on catch or fishing effort by fishing vessels of the United States in the Convention Area.