International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
NOAA Fisheries manages Atlantic U.S. fisheries for tuna, swordfish, and billfish under the authority of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). ATCA authorizes NOAA Fisheries to create regulations, as necessary and appropriate, to implement conservation and management recommendations adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). 
Learn more about the U.S. ICCAT Advisory Committee.
Statistical Document Programs
ICCAT implements a bluefin tuna catch document program and swordfish and frozen bigeye tuna statistical document trade monitoring programs. These programs assist in identifying countries that might be fishing in a manner that undermines the effectiveness of international conservation and management measures. The consignment document acts as a passport for international shipments of these species. Because imports of these fish from all oceans are closely monitored, U.S. programs also support the trade monitoring programs of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna. The United States reports to ICCAT annually for bluefin tuna and biannually for swordfish and bigeye tuna.
Past News and Updates
| 3/31/2016 | NOAA Fisheries Announces a Final Rule to Implement the ICCAT Electronic Bluefin Tuna Catch Documentation System Listserv Notice | Federal Register Notice | eBCD System Information |
| 10/08/2015 | NOAA Fisheries Announces a Proposed Rule to Implement the ICCAT Electronic Bluefin Tuna Catch Documentation System Listserv Notice | Federal Register Notice | Public Hearing Presentation |
| 12/05/2014 | Final Rule Addressing the Transshipment of Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS), Inspection of Vessels Landing HMS in Foreign Ports, and Unique Vessel Identifiers for Commercially Permitted Vessels ≥ 20 Meters Federal Register Notice | Listserv Notice |
| 09/11/2014 | NOAA Fisheries Announces a Proposed Rule Addressing the Transshipment of Atlantic HMS, Inspection of Vessels Landing HMS in Foreign Ports, and Unique Vessel Identifiers Federal Register Notice | Listserv Notice |
| 06/26/2012 | NOAA Fisheries Announces a Proposed Rule Regarding the Trade of Highly Migratory Species Federal Register Notice | Listserv Notice |
| 12/06/2004 | Final Rule Implementing ICCAT Trade Measures Federal Register Notice | Listserv Notice Final Environmental Assessment |
| 11/20/2002 | Final Rule Implementing 2000 ICCAT Recommendations Federal Register Notice Final Environmental Assessment |
