50 CFR § 635.1-635.71 - Atlantic Highly Migratory Species.

The Regulations in this Part of Title 50 of the Federal Code of Regulations govern the conservation and management of Atlantic tunas, Atlantic billfish, Atlantic sharks, and Atlantic swordfish under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 (ATCA). They implement the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan and its amendments. The Regulations provide for, among other things, permits and fees, recordkeeping and reporting, vessel and gear identification, at-sea observer coverage, electronic monitoring, restrictions on the use of gear, restrictions regarding (landing) quotas, etc., size, transfer at sea and transshipment, bycatch, denial of import of IUU fishery products, transfer at sea and transshipment. North Atlantic swordfish are managed under the authority of both ATCA and the Magnuson-Stevens Act. South Atlantic swordfish are managed under the sole authority of ATCA. The provisions concerning sharks govern conservation and management of sharks in the management unit, under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
In accordance with Regulations issued under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, it is unlawful for a commercial fishing vessel, a vessel owner, or a master or operator of a vessel to engage in fisheries for highly migratory species in the Atlantic Ocean, unless the vessel owner or authorized representative has complied with specified requirements including, but not limited to, registration, exemption certificates, decals, and reports, as contained in Part 229 of Title 50.