NMFS Proposes Changes to Regulations on Illegal Fishing
The National Marine Fisheries Service is proposing to amend its regulations to implement recently passed laws against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The proposed rule would revise the regulatory definition of IUU fishing, revise regulatory penalty provisions, amend procedures for identifying and certifying nations that have vessels engaged in IUU fishing, reduce the period of validity for certain vessel permits and expand the information required to be submitted by foreign fishing vessels requesting entry into U.S. ports.
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Changes to the definition of IUU fishing in the proposed rule would include adding a provision that says fishing in waters under the jurisdiction of another country, without permission of that country or in contravention of its laws and regulations, constitutes IUU fishing. Another change to the definition means fishing beyond a vessel’s national waters using forced labor would also be considered IUU Fishing.
The proposed rule also would amend existing procedures for certifying countries to clarify the effect of a negative certification, including the duration of a negative certification, denial of port privileges and import restrictions on fish or fish products from negatively certified countries. Comments on the proposed rule are due Sept. 6.