Annual Report to Congress Pursuant to the Shark Finning Prohibition Act

Section 6 of the Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-557) requires an annual report to Congress describing domestic and international efforts to implement the provisions of the Statute. The legislation amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to prohibit any person under U.S. jurisdiction from (i) engaging in the finning of sharks; (ii) possessing shark fins aboard a fishing vessel without the corresponding carcass; and (iii) landing shark fins without the corresponding carcass. The Act also requires the National Marine Fisheries Service to promulgate regulations to implement the prohibitions of the Act, initiate discussion with other nations to develop international agreements on shark finning and data collection, provide congress with annual reports describing efforts to carry out the Act, and establish research programs.
e-mail:Galen Tromble

• 2007 Report to Congress - Shark Finning
• 2006 Report to Congress - Shark Finning
• 2005 Report to Congress - Shark Finning

CCAMLR Final Rule governing Antarctic Marine Living Resources

Beginning September 24, 2007, a new CCAMLR Rule (8-23-07) imposes the mandatory use of electronic catch documents (ECD) for all import shipments of toothfish into the United States, including shipments of toothfish harvested by artisanal fishers. Paper-based catch documents for toothfish will no longer be accepted after September 23, 2007. The use of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources’ centralized vessel monitoring system (C-VMS) will also be a condition for the import of Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish (wherever harvested) into U.S. markets. The artisanal fleets of Peru and Chile are exempt from the C-VMS requirement. In addition, the CCAMLR rule exempts all fresh toothfish from the preapproval process and allows importers of frozen toothfish to submit the U.S. Customs 7501 entry number subsequent to initial application for preapproval; requires the use of a seal excluder device on U.S. krill vessels using trawl gear; expands requirements and prohibitions regarding scientific observers; identifies new information requirements for harvesting vessels; and adds or amends definitions in the CCAMLR regulations.

Establish a Longline Catcher Processor Fishing Capacity Reduction (Buyback) Program in the BSAI Non-Pollock Groundfish Fishery - Final Rule 9/29/06

This would be a $36 million voluntary buyback program designed by industry and implemented by NMFS regulations. The Freezer Longline Conservation Cooperative, representing industry, is to submit a Reduction Plan that includes Reduction Agreements and Contracts signed by subsector members submitting offers, for approval by the Secretary. After approval, NMFS will conduct a referendum to determine industry's willingness for fishermen remaining in the fishery to repay the 30-year loan that financed the buyback. A 2/3 majority vote in favor would bind all parties and complete the reduction process.

Status of U.S. Fisheries