Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Reauthorized

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International Provisions

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act (MSRA) contains a number of new provisions that will significantly shape the focus of fisheries management in the coming years. Importantly, the MSRA pays an unprecedented level of attention to international fisheries. The overarching approach is a call for the Secretary of Commerce to work multilaterally through various fora, such as Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMOs), to address illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing and bycatch of protected living marine resources (PLMRs). The National Marine Fisheries Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Fisheries) is the implementing agency within the Department of Commerce for the authorities and responsibilities under the MSRA.

News

• On January 13, 2009, NOAA submitted the first ever report to Congress identifying nations whose fishing vessels were engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in 2007 or 2008. This report opens the way for consultations between the U.S. government and officials of each of the six nations to encourage them to take corrective action to stop IUU fishing by their vessels. Click here for the press release.

Rules and Notices

• NMFS proposes to implement identification and certification procedures to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities and bycatch of protected living marine resources (PLMRs) pursuant to the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (Moratorium Protection Act), as amended by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act. This rule will publish in the Federal Register on Wednesday, January 14, 2009. Click here for the "as filed" version of this rule.

• NMFS solicits information from public on nations whose vessels are engaged in IUU fishing and bycatch of PLMRs (Through Apr 21, 2008) (PDF)

• Advance notice of proposed rulemaking -- Bycatch of Protected Living Marine Resources and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing on the High Seas (PDF) 
• Comments Received at Public Meetings (PDF)
• Public Comments Received Electronically (PDF)
• Public Listening Session presentation (PDF)

• Definition of Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) Fishing (PDF)

Related Documents

Draft Environmental Assessment, Regulatory Impact Review, and Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for a Proposed Rule to establish identification and certification procedures for nations under the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act, as amended by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act.

• Appendices to the EA/RIR/RFA: National Plan of Action of the United States of America to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported Fishing

NMFS Releases Progress Report on Implementation of International Provisions Under MSRA (PDF)

NMFS Provides Guidance to Heads of U.S. Delegations (PDF)