bycatch international activities
International Activities
Annual Report to Congress on U.S. Fisheries Bycatch Reduction Standards and Measures (4/29/08)
This report identifies relevant bycatch standards and measures adopted in 2007 under fishery management plans addressing fish stocks also harvested by foreign fishermen.
International Call for Information on Nationals with Vessels Engaged in Bycatch or Illegal Fishing (4/29/08)
NOAA Fisheries is seeking information regarding regarding nations whose vessels are engaged in illegal, unregulated, or unreported fishing or engaged in bycatch of protected living marine resources. Such information will be reviewed for the purposes of the identification of nations pursuant to the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act. Information must be received by April 21, 2008, and can be submitted by mail to the NOAA Fisheries Office of International Affairs.
NOAA Fisheries International Sea Turtle Activities Website (11/13/07)
The NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office maintains several websites that describe in detail efforts to conserve sea turtles in the central and western Pacific, including in Palau, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Affirmative Ruling Renewed for Mexico's Tuna Fisheries
NOAA Fisheries has renewed the affirmative finding for the Government of Mexico under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This affirmative finding will allow yellowfin tuna harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program by Mexican-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Mexican jurisdiction to be imported into the United States. This finding will remain valid through March 31, 2010, subject to subsequent annual reviews by NOAA Fisheries Service.
IATTC Passes Sea Turtle Mitigation Measure Resolution 
The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) held its 75th annual meeting on June 25-29, 2007, in Cancun, Mexico. The IATTC adopted several resolutions, including a U.S. proposal to strengthen sea turtle mitigation measures. This resolution requires the implementation of FAO Guidelines to reduce sea turtle bycatch, injury and mortality and, if practicable, to bring aboard and resuscitate any comatose sea turtles. Purse seine vessels are directed to avoid setting on sea turtles and release all sea turtles observed to be entangled in Fish Aggregating Devices. Longline vessels are required to carry sea turtle release gear for prompt release of incidentally caught sea turtles. Parties are also directed to conduct research on fishing methods to identify means of further reducing sea turtle bycatch.
U.N. General Assembly Calls for "Immediate Action" to Protect Deep Sea Ecosystems from Harmful Fishing Practices
Deploring the fact that overfishing, illegal catches, wasteful methods, and destructive techniques were leading to the rapid depletion of fish stocks and spoiling fragile marine habitats in many parts of the world, the United Nations General Assembly on December 8, 2006, called on States to take “immediate action”, individually and through regional organizations, to sustainably manage fish stocks, and protect vulnerable deep sea ecosystems from harmful fishing practices.
United Nations Concludes Negotiations on Fisheries Resolution
Negotiations at UN Headquarters on the draft 2006 fisheries resolution have concluded after a challenging and productive debate. The resolution's draft text includes management provisions for both regional fishery management organizations and individual nations to prevent bottom fishing from causing harm to vulnerable marine ecosystems. It will be presented to the full General Assembly on December 7, 2006, for a final decision. For more information, contact Liz.English@noaa.gov.
President Issues Guidance on Promoting Sustainable Fisheries and Ending Destructive Fishing Practices
On October 3, President Bush issued a memorandum to Secretary of State Rice and Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez promoting the sustainable management of global fisheries resources and habitats. Further, President Bush called for collaboration with regional fisheries management organizations and fishing nations to end destructive fishing practices, including those that have adverse effects on vulnerable ecosystems such as cold water corals and sponges.
Four Nations Discuss Management of High Seas Bottom Trawling in the North Western Pacific Ocean
Japan's Ministry of Forestry and Fisheries hosted delegations from Japan, Korea, Russia, and the United States, August 22-24 in Tokyo to discuss possible arrangements for the management of high seas bottom trawl fisheries in the North Western Pacific Ocean. The focus of the meeting
was the Emperor Seamount Chain, which extends from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to the tip of the Aleutian Island Chain, in particular, the seamounts located south of 45 degrees North Latitude. Approximately ten to fifteen vessels from Japan , Korea and Russia have fished in the
area in recent years. U.S. vessels have not fished these areas. For more information, contact Liz.English@noaa.gov.
New Information on Seabird Conservation
Click here to view a new presentation from NOAA Fisheries Service on the International Plan of Action for Seabirds, which describes implementation by regional fisheries management organizations.
NOAA Fisheries Service Renews Affirmative Finding under the MMPA for the Government of Ecuador
This affirmative finding will allow yellowfin tuna harvested in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program by Mexican-flag or Spanish-flag purse seine vessels, or purse seine vessels operating under Mexican or Spanish jurisdiction to be imported into the United States. These renewals are effective from April 1, 2006, through March 31, 2007.
NOAA Fisheries Service Renews Affirmative Finding under the MMPA for the Governments of Spain and Mexico
This affirmative finding will allow yellowfin tuna harvested in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program by Ecuadorian-flag purse seine vessels, or purse seine vessels operating under Ecuadorian jurisdiction to be imported into the United States. This renewal is effective from April 1, 2006, through March 31, 2007.
Western and Central Pacific
Fisheries Commission Adopts Measures to Reduce Bycatch
The first substantive meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission
was held in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, December 12-16. The United
States successfully proposed bycatch resolutions for both sea turtles and seabirds.
Report
of the 2005 U.S. Fisheries Bycatch Reduction Standards and measures
Relevant to Section 202(h) of the M-SFCMA
Section 202(h)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) calls for the Secretary of State, in cooperation with
the Secretary of Commerce, to seek an international agreement to establish standards
and measures for bycatch reduction that are comparable to U.S. standards in any
fishery regulated under the Magnuson-Stevens Act for which an international agreement
is necessary and appropriate. The National Marine Fisheries Service holds consultations
with the Department of State annually, consistent with this statute. This annual
report to Congress is based on the findings of that consultation.
Shark Finning Ban Adopted in
the Northwest Atlantic
The latest in a series of international agreements to ban shark finning - the
practice of slicing off a shark's fins and discarding the carcass - has been
adopted by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization. The agreement also
calls for research on fishing gear modifications to reduce unwanted bycatch of
sharks, and identification of areas that serve as nurseries for juvenile sharks.
Summary
of International Activities Related to Reduction of Bycatch of Sea
Turtles in Longline Fisheries (.PDF)
This table is not an exhaustive compendium of all global research relative to
sea turtle longline interactions but rather summarizes activities undertaken
by involved NOAA Fisheries staff and partnering research entities.
Report
of the 2004 U.S. Fisheries Bycatch Reduction Standards and measures
Relevant to Section 202(h) of the M-SFCMA
Section 202(h)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) calls for the Secretary of State, in cooperation with
the Secretary of Commerce, to seek an international agreement to establish standards
and measures for bycatch reduction that are comparable to U.S. standards in any
fishery regulated under the Magnuson-Stevens Act for which an international agreement
is necessary and appropriate. NOAA Fisheries holds consultations with the Department
of State annually, consistent with this statute. The annual report to Congress
is based on the findings of that consultation.
FAO International Plan of Action on Seabirds Directs States with longline fisheries to develop national plans and prescribe measures to reduce incidental catch of seabirds, if an assessment of these fisheries indicates that a problem exists.
U.S. National Plan of Action on Seabirds Presents a national framework whereby the United States addresses seabird bycatch in its own longline fisheries and addresses the issue of seabird bycatch internationally in a variety of fora.
International Fishers Forum The primary mission of the most recent forum was to convene an international meeting of fishermen to address possible solutions to incidental bycatch of sea turtles and seabirds by longline fishing gear.
CCAMLR site on "Incidental Effects of Fishing"
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
United Nations Accord on Straddling Fish Stock and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks
The FAO International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks
The FAO International Plan of Action for the Management of Fishing Capacity
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas is an inter-governmental fishery
organization responsible for the conservation of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and its adjacent seas.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) APEC was established as an informatl dialogue group in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence among Asia-Pacific
economies and has since become the primary regional vehicle for promoting open trade and practical economic cooperation.
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