50 CFR § 300.330-300.341 - International Fisheries Regulations - High Seas Fisheries.

This Subpart of the International Fisheries Regulations implements the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act of 1995, which requires the Secretary to license U.S. vessels fishing on the high seas and to ensure that such vessels do not operate in contravention of international conservation and management measures recognized by the United States. It identifies fisheries that are authorized on the high seas and provides for control measures in respect of fishing on the high seas by U.S. vessels. NMFS will add a fishery to, or delete a fishery from, the list in paragraph (a) of this section. NMFS may add or delete fisheries from the list after completing any analyses required under the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and other applicable laws. Bottom fishing may be permitted on the high seas when authorized by international conservation and management measures recognized by the United States. Any Regional Administrator or the Office Director may issue vessel permits required under this Subpart. The Subpart also defines prohibitions and provides with respect to, among other things: vessel identification, data collecting and reporting, observers and transshipment of fish. Permits issued under this Subpart do not authorize vessels or persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to take marine mammals or Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed species.