Dolphin-Safe Certification
Regulations governing the activities of any exporter, transhipper, importer, processor, or wholesaler/distributor of any tuna or tuna products have been published in the Federal Register. Information submitted under this program will be treated as confidential in accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216-100 "Protection of Confidential Fisheries Statistics." Please see the links below for more details on programmatic regulations:
Final Rules in the Federal Register
- Enhanced Document Requirements and Captain Training Requirements to Support Use of the Dolphin Safe Label on Tuna Products - Interim Final Rule (March 22, 2016)
- Enhanced Document Requirements To Support Use of the Dolphin Safe Label on Tuna Products (July 9, 2013)
- Revisions to Regulations for Vessels Authorized to Fish for Tuna and Tuna-like Species in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean and to Requirements for the Submission of Fisheries Certificates of Origin (January 13, 2009)
- Tuna Purse Seine Vessels in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean (April 12, 2005)
- Tuna Purse Seine Vessels in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean (September 13, 2004)
CFR
- 50 CFR 216.24(f): Taking and related acts incidental to commercial fishing operations by tuna purse seine vessels in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean
- 50 CFR 216 Subpart H: Dolphin Safe Tuna Labeling
U. S. Production
Tuna canners must submit a report of all tuna received at their facility in each calendar month. Data elements include the dolphin-safe status, species, condition, ocean area of capture, catcher vessel, gear type, trip dates and quantity. An annual report covers the entire U.S. industry.
Every U.S. tuna purse seine vessel greater than 400 short tons carrying capacity fishing in the ETP must have an IATTC approved observer onboard to oversee every fishing trip. The vessel owners or management of such vessels are responsible for notifying NMFS of the location and expected time of arrival for each completed ETP trip. Upon request, the TTVP will issue a dolphin-safe certificate bearing the Official Mark.
- Annual Report on U.S. Tuna Cannery Receipts
- Dolphin-safe FAQs for the American Samoa Longline Fishery
Imports
The dolphin-safe status of all frozen and processed tuna products is to be declared on a NOAA Form 370 (Fisheries Certificate of Origin) for each and every imported shipment. This form is not required for fresh tuna. Additional information on the NOAA Form 370 requirements can be found by clicking the NOAA Form 370 page below.
- Fisheries Certificate of Origin (NOAA Form 370 Information)
- NOAA Form 370 [pdf]
- Captain's Statement Templates
- Online Compliance Guide for the Importation of Tuna
- Harmonized Tariff Schedule for Selected Tuna & Tuna Products
- Harmonized Tariff Schedule Numbers for Products of Italian Origin
- Tuna Dolphin Embargo Status
- Import Statistics
Updated: July 29, 2016
