[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 6, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57361-57382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28252]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Parts 285, 630, 644, and 678
[Docket No. 960808219-6219-01; I.D. 051096E]
RIN 0648-AI28
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries; Consolidation of
Regulations
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to consolidate four CFR parts containing
regulations for the conservation and management of Atlantic highly
migratory species (HMS) in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) into
one CFR part. Atlantic HMS include Atlantic tunas, swordfish,
billfishes, and sharks. The consolidation would reorganize the existing
regulations in a more logical and cohesive order, eliminate duplicative
and outdated provisions, and make editorial changes to achieve
readability, clarity, and uniformity. A number of substantive changes
are proposed to achieve consistency among common elements such as
permits and reporting. The purpose of this proposed rule is to make the
regulations more concise, better organized and, therefore, easier for
the public to use. This proposed action is part of the President's
Regulatory Reinvention Initiative.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 23, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Chris Rogers, Office of Fisheries
Conservation and Management, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver
Spring, MD 02910. Comments regarding burden-hour estimates or other
aspects of the collection-of-information requirement contained in this
proposed rule should be sent to Chris Rogers at the above address and
to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20503 (Attention: NOAA Desk
Officer).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Rogers, 301-713-2347.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In March 1995, President Clinton issued a directive to Federal
agencies regarding their responsibilities under his Regulatory
Reinvention Initiative. This initiative is part of the National
Performance Review and calls for comprehensive regulatory reform. The
President directed all agencies to undertake a review of all their
regulations, with an emphasis on eliminating or modifying those that
are obsolete, duplicative, or otherwise in need of reform. This
proposed rule is intended to carry out the President's directive with
respect to those regulations for the conservation and management of
Atlantic HMS in the EEZ, and, as applicable, regulatory areas beyond
the U.S. EEZ.
Consolidation of Regulations Into One CFR Part
Currently, regulations pertaining to management of Atlantic HMS are
contained in four separate parts of title 50 of the CFR. NMFS is
proposing to remove three of the parts (parts 285 (Atlantic Tuna
Fisheries), 644 (Atlantic Billfishes), and 678 (Atlantic Sharks)), and
to consolidate the regulations contained therein with the existing
regulations in part 630 (Atlantic Swordfish). These consolidated
regulations would provide the public with a single reference source for
the regulations applying to Atlantic HMS, which is more concise,
clearer, and easier to use than the existing regulations.
Reorganization and Removal of Obsolete or Duplicative Provisions
NMFS proposes to simplify and shorten the existing Atlantic HMS
regulations. Because portions of the existing regulations contain
identical or nearly identical provisions, this rule would restructure
text and eliminate the duplicative provisions. Regulatory language
would be revised to improve clarity and consistency. In addition,
obsolete provisions would be removed.
No substantive changes, except for those specifically identified
below, are intended:
1. Reporting requirements would be extended to apply to all
tournaments involving any Atlantic HMS, if selected for reporting by
the Regional Director. This change reflects the fact that catch by
anglers participating in tournaments may comprise any regulated HMS.
2. The incidental catch permit category for Atlantic tunas would be
eliminated and redefined as ``longline'' and ``drift gillnet'' to
reflect the existing authorization of directed longline and gillnet
fisheries for tunas other than bluefin tuna. Also, existing regulations
regarding incidental catch of bluefin tuna are unclear, causing some
fishermen to believe that target catch requirements can be met using
one gear while bluefin tuna is caught with another or to believe
incorrectly that certain types of gear are authorized for incidental
take of bluefin tuna. As a consequence of this reorganization, and to
address enforcement issues concerning unauthorized landing of bluefin
tuna under the bycatch quota, the allowance for incidental catch of
Atlantic bluefin tuna by vessels using fixed gear and traps would be
removed. In 1996, only 1 metric ton (less than 10 fish) was allocated
to this category; thus, eliminating the landing allowance for fixed
gear and traps would not have a significant impact.
3. Due to compliance and enforcement problems resulting from
misidentification of juvenile tunas, the applicability of Atlantic
tunas regulations would be extended to include blackfin tuna.
4. To achieve consistency between regulations applicable to all
HMS, the definition of rod and reel gear would be modified to include
the use of electrically operated reels. Although electric reels are
permitted under current billfish regulations, conflicts with the
consolidated regulations would arise when fishing for, or incidentally
taking, Atlantic tunas. Therefore, the broader definition would be made
applicable to all HMS.
[[Page 57362]]
5. To improve quota monitoring and catch data collection, the
exemption for holders of shark and swordfish permits from vessel and
dealer Atlantic tunas permit and reporting requirements, and the
handgear exemption for fishing vessels and dealers of Atlantic tunas,
shark and swordfish permits in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands,
would be eliminated. These exemptions were created because it was
presumed catch data could be accessed from other information collection
programs. However, it has not been possible to access this information
in a timely manner. Given the likelihood of continuing restricted
quotas for tunas, swordfish and sharks, accurate and timely reporting
of catch is necessary.
6. The permit category for bluefin tuna buy-boats would be
eliminated as obsolete. For the last several years, the catch limit for
General category vessels has been set at one fish per day, thus
precluding the need to offload bluefin tuna at sea. In addition,
compliance with applicable vessel and dealer reporting requirements
would be difficult to achieve under at-sea transfer conditions.
7. Current regulations allow applicants for swordfish or shark
permits up to 90 days to submit required information not supplied with
original applications. Such allowance is limited to 15 days for tuna
permits. To achieve consistency under this proposed consolidation, the
time period for consideration of incomplete Atlantic shark and
swordfish permit applications as abandoned would be reduced from 90
days to 15 days.
8. The time limit for submission of information changes for
Atlantic shark and swordfish permits would be reduced from 30 days to
15 days to achieve consistency with tuna permit regulations.
9. The 30-day allowance for swordfish and shark dealers to operate
under the permit of the previous business owner would be removed to
achieve consistency with tuna dealer permit regulations.
10. Regulations that are no longer necessary on tuna vessel
reporting, as approved under OMB control number 0648-0168, would be
replaced by the vessel logbook requirements approved under OMB control
number 0648-0016.
11. To facilitate enforcement and to achieve consistency with
regulations applicable to all HMS, the allowance to transfer HMS at sea
would be removed. This allowance was originally implemented for purse
seiners using transport vessels for cannery deliveries, a practice that
no longer occurs in the Atlantic Ocean. The allowance for at-sea
transfer of bluefin tuna among permitted purse seine vessels would
remain.
12. The distinction between selected and non-selected vessels for
the purposes of shark logbooks would be dropped, because all vessels
have been selected in recent years under the previously implemented
mandatory reporting requirement.
13. The time frame for reporting and submission of the biweekly
bluefin tuna dealer report would be adjusted to the time frame
applicable for the biweekly dealer report for swordfish, sharks, and
other Atlantic tunas.
14. The requirements for purse seine notification and request for
inspection would be standardized to achieve consistency with
requirements for bluefin tuna and other Atlantic tunas. Notification
would be set at 48 hours prior to sailing or landing, with automatic
waiver of inspection requirements if not undertaken within 48 hours of
notification.
15. Current regulations that prohibit sale of billfish are unclear
with respect to sale of related species (striped marlin, black marlin,
shortbill spearfish). The consolidation would clarify the regulatory
text to achieve consistency with the prohibition on sale as implemented
through the certificate of eligibility requirements for sale of
billfish and related species.
16. Regulations applicable to the swordfish donation program would
be removed as unnecessary codified text. Donation programs, for
swordfish or any of the regulated HMS, could be established and
adequately enforced under a specific letter of authorization.
17. The base level angling catch limit would be reduced to one per
angler per day for school/large school bluefin tuna and one per vessel
per day for small medium bluefin tuna. The authority to make inseason
adjustments to such limits would remain. Given fluctuations in annual
abundance and fishing effort, such a limit would have greater
applicability across years and would reduce the need for inseason
adjustments.
18. To reduce regulatory text that is often outdated and of limited
applicability, quotas and, as applicable, gear/time/area allocations
for HMS would no longer be codified but would be set and adjusted as
necessary in one or more annual notices. NMFS would follow the
procedures of the Shark Fishery Management Plan regarding adjustment of
management measures; quotas and TAC would be established by the annual
specifications procedure, whereas other measures would be established
by regulatory amendment.
19. Current regulations preclude a change of tuna permit category
after May 15. This restriction was imposed so that a vessel could not
fish in more than one quota category subsequent to the June 1
commencement of the Harpoon Boat and General category bluefin tuna
fishing seasons. Existing regulations have not prevented some vessel
operators from fishing under the bluefin tuna Incidental category prior
to May 15 and in the General category after June 1. Under this proposed
rule, Atlantic Tunas permit category changes would be limited to one
change each year, between January 1 and May 15. No permit changes would
be permitted from May 16 through December 31, regardless of sale of a
vessel. This would prevent commercial vessel operators from fishing for
bluefin tuna in more than one commercial quota category in a single
year.
Because the vessel permit requirement also applies to recreational
vessels and has recently been extended to include all Atlantic tunas,
changes to Angling category permits would be exempt from this
limitation. This exemption would prevent undue restrictions to
recreational anglers purchasing vessels after May 15.
20. To facilitate enforcement of minimum size and catch limit
regulations and to facilitate identification of species, it would be
required that all Atlantic tunas be landed with the tail attached.
21. To prevent overharvest of swordfish in the drift gillnet
fishery, advance notification of closure would be reduced to 3 days
from the current 14 days applicable to the longline and swordfish
fisheries. A prior rulemaking to address concerns of adequate notice to
longline fishermen was inadvertently applied to the drift gillnet
segment of the fishery, thus limiting NMFS' ability to monitor and
close the drift gillnet fishery in a timely manner.
22. The set-aside of swordfish quota for the harpoon segment of the
directed fishery would be removed, because it is unnecessary. A prior
rulemaking established the swordfish fishing year and first semiannual
quota period beginning June 1. When the fishing year and first
semiannual period began on January 1, a set-aside was needed because
the summer harpoon fishery could be precluded by a directed fishery
closure at the end of the period. The change in fishing year has
eliminated this problem.
23. The trip limit for vessels in a directed fishery for swordfish,
previously established on an annual basis, would be made permanent.
[[Page 57363]]
24. Gear restrictions applicable to specific categories of tuna
permits would be limited to fishing activity for bluefin tuna. In a
prior rulemaking, the requirement for tuna permits was extended from
bluefin tuna to all Atlantic tunas. Gear restrictions necessary to
implement category quotas for bluefin tuna were carried over to apply
to all Atlantic tunas. Because Atlantic tunas other than bluefin are
not subject to quotas, gear restrictions are not necessary.
Though not a substantive change, much of the regulatory text
regarding restrictions on imports would be removed as obsolete since
the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA) has been amended. The
Department of State will be consulted during the comment period for
this proposed rule, as necessary to comply with ATCA.
Request for Comments
NMFS specifically requests comments or suggestions for further
consolidation or elimination of obsolete or duplicative provisions
contained in the proposed revision to Atlantic HMS regulations.
Comments concerning the impacts of identified and, if applicable,
inadvertent substantive changes are also specifically requested (see
ADDRESSES).
Classification
This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes
of E.O. 12866.
The Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation of the
Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of
the Small Business Administration that this proposed rule, if adopted,
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities as follows:
The proposed rule would consolidate four CFR parts containing
regulations for the conservation and management of Atlantic highly
migratory species in the EEZ into one CFR part. Atlantic highly
migratory species include Atlantic tunas, swordfish, billfishes, and
sharks. The consolidation would reorganize the existing regulations
into a more logical and cohesive order, eliminate duplicative and
outdated provisions, and make editorial changes to achieve
readability, clarity, and uniformity. The purpose of this proposed
rule is to make the regulations more concise, better organized and,
therefore, easier for the public to use. The proposed consolidations
and revisions to the existing regulatory text would have little or
no impact on any small entities. The substantive changes proposed
are minimal, primarily affecting the applicability of permitting and
reporting requirements.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required
to respond to nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to
comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) unless that collection of information
displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.
This proposed rule contains collection-of-information requirements
subject to the PRA. The following requirements have already been
approved by OMB for U.S. fishing activities:
a. Atlantic tuna vessel permits in Sec. 630.4(a) (approved under
0648-0202) estimated at 30 minutes per permit action; and dealer
permits in Sec. 630.4(b) (approved under 0648-0202) estimated at 5
minutes per permit action.
b. Swordfish and shark vessel permits in Sec. 630.4(a) (approved
under 0648-0205) estimated at 20 minutes per permit action; and dealer
permits in Sec. 630.4(b) (approved under 0648-0205) estimated at 5
minutes per permit action.
c. Dealer reporting and recordkeeping requirements for Atlantic
tunas in Sec. 630.5 (approved under 0648-0239) estimated at 3 minutes
for daily reports, 14 minutes for Atlantic biweekly reports, and 1
minute to affix tags and label containers.
d. Dealer reporting and recordkeeping requirements for swordfish
and sharks in Sec. 630.5 (approved under 0648-0013 and 0648-0016)
estimated at 15 minutes per report.
e. Vessel reporting and recordkeeping requirements for swordfish
and sharks in Sec. 630.5 (approved under 0648-0016) estimated at 15
minutes per logbook entry and 16 minutes for the attachment of tally
sheets.
f. Notification of Panama Canal transit for tuna vessels in
Sec. 630.5 (approved under 0648-0168) estimated at 6 minutes per call.
g. Vessel identification requirements for permitted swordfish and
shark vessels in Sec. 630.6 (approved under 0648-0306) estimated at 45
minutes per vessel.
h. Notification for at-sea observer requirements for Atlantic tuna
vessels in Sec. 630.7 (approved under 0648-0202) estimated at 2 minutes
per response.
i. Tuna gear marking requirements in Sec. 630.21 (approved under
0648-0305) estimated at 15 minutes per action.
j. Tuna inspection requests in Sec. 630.22 (approved under 0648-
0202) estimated at 5 minutes per request.
k. Documentation requirements for sale of billfish in Sec. 630.23
(approved under 0648-0216) estimated at 20 minutes for dealers
purchasing from vessels and 2 minutes for subsequent purchasers.
l. Tuna tagging requirements in Sec. 630.24 (approved under 0648-
0239) estimated at 1 minute per occurrence.
m. Atlantic bluefin tuna catch and release program requirements in
Sec. 630.30 (approved under 0648-0247) estimated at 2 minutes per
tagging card.
n. Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document in Sec. 630.41 (approved under
0648-0040) estimated at 20 minutes per document.
In addition, this proposed rule would add, renew or expand certain
collection-of-information requirements as follows:
a. OMB approval (0648-0031) for shark and billfish tournament
reporting has expired. This requirement would be renewed and expanded
in Sec. 630.5 so that fishing tournament operators must report catch of
all HMS, estimated at 10 minutes per report.
b. Vessel logbook requirements in Sec. 630.5 (0648-0016) would be
expanded to include Atlantic tunas, estimated at 15 minutes per logbook
entry and 16 minutes for the attachment of tally sheets.
c. Notification of Panama Canal transit would be expanded to
include shark and swordfish vessels in Sec. 630.5 (approved under 0648-
0168) estimated at 6 minutes per call.
d. Notification for at-sea observer requirements would be expanded
to include swordfish and shark vessels in Sec. 630.7 (approved under
0648-0202) estimated at 2 minutes per response.
e. Gear marking requirements in Sec. 630.21 (0648-0305) would be
expanded to include permitted swordfish and shark gear, estimated at 15
minutes per action.
f. Angler reporting of trophy bluefin tuna in Sec. 629.4 is not
currently approved and is being submitted for approval at 3 minutes per
report.
NMFS is in the process of obtaining OMB approval for these new,
renewed and expanded requirements.
Send comments regarding any of these burden estimates or any other
aspect of these collection-of-information requirements including
suggestions on how to reduce or eliminate these burdens to NMFS and OMB
(see ADDRESSES).
List of Subjects
50 CFR Part 285
Fisheries, Fishing, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Treaties.
50 CFR Part 630
Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Treaties.
50 CFR Parts 644 and 678
Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
[[Page 57364]]
Dated: October 29, 1996.
Gary Matlock,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR parts 285, 630,
644, and 678 are proposed to be amended as follows:
1. Under the authority of 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 16 U.S.C. 1801
et seq., parts 285, 644, and 678 are removed.
2. Part 630 is revised to read as follows:
PART 630--ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES
Subpart A--General
Sec.
630.1 Purpose and scope.
630.2 Definitions.
630.3 Relation to other laws.
630.4 Permits and fees.
630.5 Recordkeeping and reporting.
630.6 Vessel identification.
630.7 At-sea observer coverage.
Subpart B--Management Measures
630.20 Fishing years and seasons.
630.21 Gear restrictions.
630.22 Purse seine vessel requirements.
630.23 Transfer, landing, and sale.
630.24 Fish marking requirements.
630.25 Size limits and size classes.
630.26 Incidental catch.
630.27 Harvest restrictions.
630.28 Quotas and closures.
630.29 Catch limits.
630.30 Catch and release.
630.31 Adjustment of management measures.
630.32 Specifically authorized activities.
Subpart C--Restrictions on Imports
630.40 Species subject to documentation requirements.
630.41 Documentation requirements.
630.42 Contents of documentation.
630.43 Validation requirements.
630.44 Ports of entry.
630.45 Other import restrictions.
Subpart D--International Port Inspection
630.50 Basis and purpose.
630.51 Authorized officer.
630.52 Vessels subject to inspection.
630.53 Reports.
Subpart E--Enforcement
630.70 Prohibitions.
630.71 Facilitation of enforcement.
630.72 Penalties.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Subpart A--General
Sec. 630.1 Purpose and scope.
The regulations in this part govern the conservation and management
of Atlantic tunas, swordfish, billfishes, and sharks under authority of
the Magnuson Act and Atlantic Tunas Convention Act.
(a) Magnuson Act. This part implements the Fishery Management Plans
for Atlantic Swordfish, Atlantic Billfishes, and Atlantic Sharks.
(b) Atlantic Tunas Convention Act. (1) This part implements ICCAT
Atlantic tunas and swordfish recommendations for persons and vessels
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(2) Regulations implemented under the ATCA do not apply to any
person or vessel authorized by ICCAT, or in writing by the Director, or
any state upon written authorization by the Director, to engage in
fishing for research purposes.
(3) Under section 9(d) of the ATCA, determinations made by NMFS
that the provisions of this part with respect to Atlantic tunas taken
under authority of the ATCA apply within the territorial sea of the
United States adjacent to, and within the boundaries of, the States of
Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North
Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Rhode
Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and the Commonwealths of Puerto
Rico and the Virgin Islands, and, with the exceptions of Secs. 630.22,
630.26(a) (1) and (2), and Secs. 630.28(a) (3) and (4), within the
territorial sea of the United States adjacent to, and within the
boundaries of, the State of Maine, continue in effect.
Sec. 630.2 Definitions.
In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson Act, the ATCA, and
Sec. 600.10 of this chapter, the terms used in this part have the
following meanings:
Angling means fishing for or catching of, or the attempted fishing
for or catching of, fish by any person (angler) with a hook attached to
a line that is hand held or by rod and reel made for this purpose.
ATCA means the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975, 16 U.S.C.
971-971h.
Atlantic bluefin tuna means the subspecies of bluefin tuna Thunnus
thynnus thynnus that is found in the Atlantic Ocean.
Atlantic bonito means Sarda chiliensis or Sarda.
Atlantic tunas means Atlantic albacore, bluefin, bigeye, skipjack,
blackfin and yellowfin tunas, and Atlantic bonito.
Bandit gear means vertical hook-and-line gear with rods attached to
a vessel, with no more than two hooks per line and with line retrieved
by manual, electric, or hydraulic reels.
Billfish means sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus; white marlin,
Tetrapturus albidus; blue marlin, Makaira nigricans; and longbill
spearfish, Tetrapturus pfluegeri.
Bluefin tuna means Thunnus thynnus in any ocean area.
BSD means the ICCAT Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document.
Carcass or dressed fish means a fish that has been gilled and/or
gutted and the head and some or all fins have been removed, but is
otherwise in whole condition.
Charter boat or charter vessel means a vessel less than 100 gross
tons (90.8 mt) that meets the requirements of the USCG to carry six or
fewer passengers for hire and that carries a passenger for hire at any
time during the calendar year.
Cleithrum to keel (CK) measurement means a curved measurement from
the cleithrum (semicircular bony structure at the posterior edge of the
gill opening) to the anterior portion of the caudal keel. Measurement
must be made at the point on the cleithrum that provides the shortest
possible CK measurement measured along the body contour.
Commercial fishing means fishing for purposes including sale,
barter or trade of any or all of the fish harvested.
Convention means the International Convention for the Conservation
of Atlantic Tunas, signed at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 14, 1966,
20 U.S.T. 2887, TIAS 6767, including any amendments or protocols
thereto, which are binding upon the United States.
Curved fork length (CFL) means a measurement of the length of
Atlantic tuna taken in a line tracing the contour of the body from the
tip of the upper jaw to the fork of the tail, which abuts the ventral
side of the pectoral fin and the ventral side of the caudal keel.
Dealer means any person, other than a consumer, who engages in any
activity, other than fishing, of industry, trade, or commerce,
including but not limited to the buying or selling of a regulated
species or parts thereof and activities conducted for the purpose of
facilitating such buying and selling.
Downrigger means a rod attached to a vessel and with a weight on a
cable that is in turn attached to hook-and-line gear to maintain lures
or bait at depth while trolling, and that has a release system to
retrieve the weight by rod and reel or by manual, electric, or
hydraulic winch after a fish strike on the hook-and-line.
Dressed weight means the weight of a fish after it has been gilled,
gutted, beheaded, and wholly or partially definned.
Drift gillnet, sometimes called a drift entanglement net or
driftnet, means a flat net, unattached to the ocean bottom, whether or
not attached to a vessel, designed to be suspended vertically in the
water to entangle the head or other
[[Page 57365]]
body parts of fish that attempt to pass through the meshes.
Eviscerated means removal of the alimentary organs only.
Fishing or to fish means the catching or fishing for, or the
attempted catching or fishing for, any species of fish covered by the
Convention or this Part, or any activities in support of fishing. For
the purposes of Atlantic billfishes and sharks, fishing under this
definition does not include scientific research conducted by a
scientific research vessel.
Fishing trip means the time period that begins when a fishing
vessel departs from a dock, berth, beach, seawall, ramp, or port to
carry out fishing operations and that terminates with a return to a
dock, berth, beach, seawall, ramp, or port to offload any or all catch.
Gangion or leader means one of the lines that bear hooks and that
is attached at intervals along the main line of a longline.
Handgear means handline, harpoon, or rod and reel.
Handline or handline gear means a fishing line set and pulled by
hand that remains attached to a fishing vessel during fishing and that
consists of one main line of variable length to which is attached one
or two leaders and hooks.
Harpoon or harpoon gear means fishing gear consisting of a pointed
dart or iron attached to a pole or stick and to the end of a line
several hundred feet in length, the other end of which is attached to a
floatation device, and that is propelled only by hand, not by
mechanical means.
Headboat means a vessel that holds a valid Certificate of
Inspection issued by the USCG to carry passengers for hire and that
carries a passenger for hire at any time during the calendar year.
ICCAT means the International Commission for the Conservation of
Atlantic Tunas.
Intermediate country means a country from which bluefin tuna or
bluefin tuna products that were previously imported by that nation are
exported to the United States. Shipments of bluefin tuna or bluefin
tuna products through a country on a through bill of lading or in
another manner that does not enter the shipments into that country as
an importation do not make that country an intermediate country under
this definition.
Land means to begin offloading fish, to offload fish, or to arrive
in port or at a dock, berth, beach, seawall, or ramp.
Large coastal species means any of the shark species, or a part
thereof, listed in paragraph (1)(i) of the definition of management
unit in this section.
Longline or longline gear means fishing gear that is set
horizontally, either anchored, attached to surface floats, or attached
to a vessel, that consists of a main or groundline with three or more
gangions and hooks and that is retrieved by hand or mechanical means.
Lower jaw-fork length (LJFL) means the straight-line measurement
from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the caudal fin.
Management unit (1) Relative to Atlantic sharks, means the
following species in the Western North Atlantic Ocean, including the
Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea:
(i) Large coastal species:
Basking Sharks--Cetorhinidae
Basking shark, Cetorhinus maximus.
Hammerhead Sharks--Sphyrnidae
Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran.
Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini.
Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena.
Mackerel Sharks--Lamnidae
White shark, Carcharodon carcharias.
Nurse Sharks--Ginglymostomatidae
Nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum.
Requiem Sharks--Carcharhinidae
Bignose shark, Carcharhinus altimus.
Blacktip shark, Carcharhinus limbatus.
Bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas.
Caribbean reef shark, Carcharhinus perezi.
Dusky shark, Carcharhinus obscurus.
Galapagos shark, Carcharhinus galapagensis.
Lemon shark, Negaprion brevirostris.
Narrowtooth shark, Carcharhinus brachyurus.
Night shark, Carcharhinus signatus.
Sandbar shark, Carcharhinus plumbeus.
Silky shark, Carcharhinus falciformis.
Spinner shark, Carcharhinus brevipinna.
Tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvieri.
Sand Tiger Sharks--Odontaspididae
Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai.
Sand tiger shark, Odontaspis taurus.
Whale Sharks--Rhincodontidae
Whale shark, Rhincodon typus.
(ii) Small coastal species:
Angel Sharks--Squatinidae
Atlantic angel shark, Squatina dumerili.
Hammerhead Sharks--Sphyrnidae
Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo.
Requiem Sharks--Carcharhinidae
Atlantic sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae.
Blacknose shark, Carcharhinus acronotus.
Caribbean sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon porosus.
Finetooth shark, Carcharhinus isodon.
Smalltail shark, Carcharhinus porosus.
(iii) Pelagic species:
Cow Sharks--Hexanchidae
Bigeye sixgill shark, Hexanchus vitulus.
Sevengill shark, Heptranchias perlo.
Sixgill shark, Hexanchus griseus.
Mackerel Sharks--Lamnidae
Longfin mako, Isurus paucus.
Porbeagle shark, Lamna nasus.
Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus.
Requiem Sharks--Carcharhinidae
Blue shark, Prionace glauca.
Oceanic whitetip shark, Carcharhinus longimanus.
Thresher Sharks--Alopiidae
Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus.
Thresher shark, Alopias vulpinus.
(2) Relative to Atlantic swordfish, means those swordfish in the
North Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea,
north of 5 deg. N. lat.
(3) Relative to Atlantic billfishes means:
(i) Those blue marlin and white marlin in the waters of the North
Atlantic Ocean (including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea)
north of 5 deg. N. lat.
(ii) Those sailfish in the waters of the North and South Atlantic
Oceans (including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea) west of
30 deg. W. long.
(iii) Those longbill spearfish in the waters of the entire North
and South Atlantic Oceans (including the Gulf of Mexico and the
Caribbean Sea).
Pectoral fin curved fork length (PFCFL) means a measurement of the
length of Atlantic tuna taken in a line tracing the contour of the body
along the middle of the lateral surface from the ventral insertion of
the pectoral fin of the beheaded fish to the fork of the tail.
Pelagic species means any of the shark species, or a part thereof,
listed in paragraph (1)(iii) of the definition of management unit in
this section.
Postmark means independently verifiable evidence of the date of
[[Page 57366]]
mailing, such as U.S. Postal Service postmark, United Parcel Service,
or other private carrier postmark, certified mail receipt, overnight
mail receipt or a receipt issued upon hand delivery to an authorized
representative of NMFS.
Recreational fishing means fishing for purposes not including sale
or barter of any or all of the fish harvested; and for purposes of
Atlantic swordfish, means the harvest of swordfish from a vessel with
only rod and reel fishing gear on board.
Regional Director, unless otherwise noted, means:
(1) For purposes of Atlantic tuna vessel and dealer permits, and
Atlantic bluefin tuna dealer reports, the Director, Northeast Region,
NMFS.
(2) For purposes of reporting of Atlantic tunas other than bluefin,
and for purposes of Atlantic swordfish, billfishes, and shark
regulations, the Director, Southeast Region, NMFS.
Regulated species means Atlantic albacore, bluefin, bigeye,
skipjack, blackfin and yellowfin tunas, Atlantic bonito, and the
following species as included in the respective management units:
Atlantic swordfish, sharks and billfishes.
Regulatory area means all waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including
adjacent seas, except the waters over which the individual states
exercise fishery management jurisdiction, unless NMFS has determined
otherwise in accordance with this part, as noted in Sec. 630.1(b)(3).
Related species, relative to Atlantic billfishes, means black
marlin, Makaira indica; striped marlin, Tetrapturus audax; or shortbill
spearfish, Tetrapturus angustirostris.
Reporting week means a period of time beginning at 0001 hours local
time on Sunday, and ending at 2400 hours local time the following
Saturday.
Rod and reel means vertical hook-and-line gear with a hand-held
(includes rod holder) fishing rod and with a manually or electrically
operated reel attached.
Round or round weight means a whole fish or the weight of a whole
fish before gilling, gutting, beheading, or any definning.
Science and Research Director means:
(1) For Atlantic tunas:
(i) For areas south of Virginia, the Director, Southeast Fisheries
Science Center, NMFS, or a designee.
(ii) For Virginia and areas to the north, the Director, Northeast
Fisheries Science Center, NMFS, or a designee.
(2) For Atlantic swordfish, billfishes, and sharks, the Director,
Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NMFS, or a designee, except as
otherwise noted.
Shark means any of the species listed in paragraph (1) of the
definition of management unit in this section, or a part thereof.
Small coastal species means any of the shark species, or a part
thereof, listed in paragraph (1)(ii) of the definition of management
unit in this section.
Tag means the numbered, flexible, self-locking ribbon issued by
NMFS for the identification of bluefin tuna under Sec. 630.24 or a tag
issued by any country in conjunction with a BSD.
Total length (TL) means the straight-line measurement from the tip
of the upper jaw to the plane of the more extended tip of the caudal
fin when in its natural position.
Tournament means any fishing competition involving Atlantic
billfishes, tunas, swordfish, or sharks in which participants must
register or otherwise enter or in which a prize or award is offered for
catching such fish.
Trip limit means the total allowable take of a regulated species
for a single trip.
Tuna means Atlantic albacore, bluefin, blackfin, bigeye, skipjack,
or yellowfin tunas, and Atlantic bonito.
Weighout slip means the document provided by the person weighing
shark carcasses and fins to the owner or operator of a permitted vessel
that records the weights of the shark carcasses and fins, prior to or
as part of, a commercial transaction involving such shark carcasses
and/or fins. Any document such as a ``tally slip,'' ``trip ticket,'' or
``sales receipt,'' that contains such information is considered a
weighout slip.
Sec. 630.3 Relation to other laws.
(a) The relation of this part to other laws is set forth in
Sec. 600.705 of this chapter and paragraphs (b) and (c) of this
section.
(b) In accordance with regulations issued under the Marine Mammal
Protection Act of 1972, as amended, it is unlawful for a commercial
fishing vessel, a vessel owner, or a master or operator of a vessel to
engage in a longline or gillnet swordfish or shark fishery in the
Atlantic Ocean (including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea) unless
the vessel owner or authorized representative has complied with
specified requirements including, but not limited to, registration,
exemption certificates, decals, and reports, as contained in part 229
of this title.
(c) Regulations governing fishing in the EEZ by vessels other than
vessels of the United States appear in part 600, subpart F, of this
chapter.
Sec. 630.4 Permits and fees.
(a) Vessel permits--(1) Applicability. (i) Consistent with the
restrictions and exemptions of this section, a vessel of the United
States that fishes for, takes, retains or possesses regulated species
as defined in this part, or that takes such species as bycatch,
regardless of whether retained, must have on board a valid vessel
permit issued for that species or management unit as defined in this
part. Such species or management units include Atlantic tunas, Atlantic
swordfish, and Atlantic sharks.
(ii) Persons may fish for, retain or possess regulated species only
under the quotas, catch limits, and size classes applicable to the
species permit and permit category of the carrying vessel.
(2) Atlantic tunas--(i) Permit categories. A permit for Atlantic
tunas will be issued to the owner of each vessel of the United States
that fishes for Atlantic tunas in one of the following categories:
General, Charter/Headboat, Angling, Harpoon Boat, Purse Seine, Longline
or Drift Gillnet. A permit will not be issued for more than one
category.
(ii) Operator licenses. When fishing for or possessing Atlantic
tunas, the operator of a vessel permitted for the Charter/Headboat
category must have on board a current copy of the operator's merchant
marine license or the operator's uninspected passenger vessel license.
(iii) Commercial fishing. A vessel conducting commercial fishing
for Atlantic tunas must have on board a valid vessel permit in the
commercial category appropriate for the gear type or method of fishing
being conducted. A vessel permitted in the Angling category is not
eligible to conduct commercial fishing for Atlantic tunas and Atlantic
tunas taken by anglers aboard such a vessel may not be sold.
(iv) Closed categories. A permit to catch and retain Atlantic tunas
under Sec. 630.28(a)(3) will be issued only to current owners of those
purse seine vessels, or their replacements, that were granted
allocations and landed Atlantic bluefin tuna in the fishery for
Atlantic bluefin tuna during 1995.
(v) Change of category. Except for purse seine vessels for which a
permit has been issued under paragraph (a)(2)(iv) of this section, an
owner may change the commercial category of the vessel's Atlantic tunas
permit to another commercial category a maximum of once per calendar
year by notifying the Regional Director in writing before May 15. After
May 15, the vessel's commercial permit category may not be changed to
another commercial category for the remainder of the calendar year,
regardless of any change in the vessel's ownership, unless there is
sufficient
[[Page 57367]]
evidence for the Regional Director to determine that an error involving
contradictory information was made on the application or renewal form
for the current permit. A vessel owner may change from a commercial
category to the Angling category at any time during the calendar year.
(3) Atlantic swordfish. The owner or operator of a vessel of the
United States, other than a vessel in the recreational fishery, that
fishes for or possesses swordfish in or from the North Atlantic Ocean,
including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, north of 5 deg. N.
lat., must obtain an Atlantic swordfish permit.
(4) Atlantic sharks--(i) General. As a prerequisite to sell shark
from the management unit or to be eligible for exemption from the catch
limits specified in Sec. 630.29(b)(2), an owner or operator of a vessel
that fishes in the EEZ must obtain an Atlantic sharks permit.
(ii) Eligibility. Shark fishery permits may be issued only to an
owner or operator of a vessel who certifies that during 1 of the 3
calendar years preceding the application--
(A) More than 50 percent of his or her earned income was derived
from commercial fishing or from charter or headboat operations, or his
or her gross sales of fish were more than $20,000; or
(B) For a vessel owned by a corporation or partnership, the gross
sales of fish of the corporation or partnership were more than $20,000.
(iii) Operator requirement. If the owner does not meet the earned
income qualification specified in paragraph (a)(4)(ii) of this section
and the operator does meet that qualification, a vessel permit issued
upon the qualification of the operator is valid only when that person
is the operator of the vessel.
(iv) Jurisdiction. An owner or operator who applies for a permit
under paragraph (a)(4) of this section must agree, as a condition of
such permit, that the vessel's shark fishing, catch, and gear are
subject to the requirements of this part during the period of validity
of the permit, without regard to whether such fishing occurs in the
EEZ, landward of the EEZ, or outside the EEZ, and without regard to
where such gear is possessed or used or where such shark are possessed,
taken, or landed. However, when a vessel fishes in the waters of a
state that has more restrictive regulations on shark fishing, those
more restrictive regulations may be applied by that state to fishing,
catch, and gear in its waters.
(5) Exemptions. (i) Anglers taking the following species for
personal use and not for sale, are exempt from the permit requirements
of this paragraph (a): Atlantic swordfish, Atlantic sharks, or Atlantic
bonito, and no other Atlantic tunas.
(ii) There is no Federal requirement for an Atlantic shark permit
for a vessel that fishes exclusively within state waters.
(b) Dealer permits. A dealer purchasing or attempting to purchase
from a fishing vessel, or receiving from a fishing vessel by way of
barter or trade, Atlantic tunas, swordfish, or sharks from a fishing
vessel, and persons importing or exporting Atlantic bluefin tuna, must
have a valid dealer permit for that species.
(c) Application. A vessel owner or dealer applying for a permit
under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section must submit a completed
permit application signed in ink by the owner or agent on an
appropriate form obtained from the Regional Director. The application
must be submitted to the Regional Director at least 30 days before the
date on which the applicant desires to have the permit made effective.
(1) Vessel permits. (i) Applicants must provide all information
concerning vessel, gear used, fishing areas, and fisheries
participation, including sworn statements relative to income
requirements and permit conditions, as requested by the Regional
Director and included on the application form.
(ii) Applicants must also submit a copy of the official state
registration or United States Coast Guard documentation, charter/
headboat license, and, if a boat is owned by a corporation or
partnership, the corporate or partnership documents (copy of
Certificate of Incorporation and Articles of Association or
Incorporation).
(iii) The Regional Director may require the applicant to provide
documentation supporting any sworn statements required under this
section before a permit is issued or to substantiate why such permit
should not be revoked or otherwise sanctioned under paragraph (l) of
this section. Such required documentation may include copies of
appropriate forms and schedules from the applicant's income tax return.
Copies of income tax forms and schedules are treated as confidential.
(iv) For a vessel owned by a corporation or partnership to be
eligible for a vessel permit, the earned income qualification specified
in paragraph (a)(4)(ii) of this section must be met by, and the
statement required by that paragraph must be submitted by, an officer
or shareholder of the corporation, a general partner of the
partnership, or the vessel operator.
(v) Applicants must also submit any other information that may be
necessary for the issuance or administration of the permit, as
requested by the Regional Director.
(2) Dealer permits. (i) An applicant for a dealer permit must
provide information on company name, principal place of business,
mailing address and telephone number as requested by the Regional
Director and included on the application form.
(ii) Applicants must also submit a copy of each state wholesaler's
license held by the dealer and, if a business is owned by a corporation
or partnership, the corporate or partnership documents (copy of
Certificate of Incorporation and Articles of Association or
Incorporation).
(iii) Applicants must also submit any other information that may be
necessary for the issuance or administration of the permit, as
requested by the Regional Director.
(d) Issuance. (1) Except as provided in subpart D of 15 CFR part
904, the Regional Director will issue a permit within 30 days of
receipt of a completed application. An application is complete when all
requested forms, information, sworn statements and supporting
documentation have been received and the applicant has submitted all
reports required under this part.
(2) The Regional Director will notify the applicant of any
deficiency in the application. If the applicant fails to correct the
deficiency within 15 days following the date of notification, the
application will be considered abandoned.
(e) Duration. A permit issued under paragraph (a) or (b) of this
section remains valid until it expires or is suspended, revoked, or
modified pursuant to subpart D of 15 CFR part 904. Permits expire on
the date indicated on the permit or when any of the information
previously submitted on the application changes. Permits must be
renewed upon expiration. Renewal applications must be submitted to the
Regional Director at least 30 days before the expiration date.
(f) Fees. The Regional Director may charge a fee to recover the
administrative expenses of permit issuance. The amount of the fee shall
be determined, at least annually, in accordance with the procedures of
the NOAA Finance Handbook, available from the Regional Director, for
determining administrative costs of each special product or service.
The fee may not exceed such costs and is specified with each
application form. The
[[Page 57368]]
appropriate fee must accompany each application. Failure to pay the fee
will preclude issuance of the permit. Payment by a commercial
instrument later determined to be insufficiently funded shall
invalidate any permit.
(g) Display. (1) A permit issued under paragraph (a) of this
section must be carried on board the vessel at all times.
(2) Permits issued under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section must
be displayed for inspection upon request of an authorized officer.
(3) Upon sale of any large medium or giant Atlantic bluefin tuna, a
vessel permit issued under paragraph (a)(2) of this section must be
presented for inspection to the dealer issued a permit under
Sec. 630.4(b) prior to completing the landing card specified at
Sec. 630.5(b)(3)(i).
(4) A permit issued under paragraph (b) of this section must be
available at the dealer's principal place of business.
(h) Alteration. A permit issued under paragraph (a) or (b) of this
section that is altered, erased, or mutilated is invalid.
(i) Change in application information. Within 15 days after any
change in the information contained in an application submitted under
paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, the vessel owner or dealer must
report the change in writing to the Regional Director. The permit is
void if any change in the information is not reported within 15 days.
(j) Transfer. (1) A permit issued under paragraph (a) of this
section, except in the case of a purse seine permit as allowed under
paragraph 630.22(c)(3) of this part, is not transferable or assignable
to another vessel or owner; it is valid only for the vessel and owner
to which it is issued. A person purchasing a vessel for which a permit
has been issued under paragraph (a) of this section, who desires to
conduct activities for which a permit is required, must apply for a
permit in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (c)(1) of this
section. The application must be accompanied by a copy of a signed bill
of sale.
(2) A permit issued under paragraph (b) of this section is not
transferable or assignable and is valid only for the dealer to whom it
is issued. A person purchasing a dealership for which a permit has been
issued under paragraph (b) of this section, who desires to conduct
activities for which a permit is required, must apply for a permit in
accordance with the provisions of paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
(k) Replacement. The Regional Director may issue replacement
permits. An application for a replacement permit will not be considered
a new application. An appropriate fee, consistent with paragraph (f) of
this section, may be charged for issuance of the replacement permit.
(l) Sanctions and denials. A permit issued under this section may
be revoked, suspended, or modified, and a permit application may be
denied, in accordance with the procedures governing enforcement-related
permit sanctions and denials found at subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
Sec. 630.5 Recordkeeping and reporting.
(a) Vessels--(1) Logbooks. The owner and/or operator of a vessel
for which a permit has been issued under Sec. 630.4(a) must ensure that
a daily logbook form is maintained of the vessel's fishing effort,
catch, and disposition on forms available from the Science and Research
Director. Such forms must be submitted to the Science and Research
Director postmarked not later than the seventh day after sale of the
fish offloaded from a trip. If no fishing occurred during a month, a
report so stating must be submitted in accordance with instructions
provided with the forms.
(2) Tally sheets. The owner or operator of a vessel for which a
permit has been issued under Sec. 630.4(a) must ensure that copies of
tally sheets are submitted for all fish offloaded and sold after a
fishing trip. Each tally sheet must show the dealer to whom the fish
were transferred, the date they were transferred, and the carcass
weight of each fish for which individual carcass weights are normally
recorded. For species not individually weighed, tally sheets must
record total weights by market category. Copies of tally sheets must be
submitted with the logbook forms required under paragraph (a)(1) of
this section.
(3) Panama Canal transit. The master or other person in charge of a
fishing vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, except
a vessel without fish on board, must report to the Regional Director
not less than 48 hours prior to entering or leaving the Atlantic Ocean
via the Panama Canal. Each report must include the name of the
reporting vessel, the tonnage by species on board, and whether the fish
were caught in Pacific or Atlantic waters. All such fishing vessels
entering or leaving the regulatory area via the Panama Canal are
subject to inspection. Official seals will be affixed to wells
containing fish taken within or outside the regulatory area, as
appropriate, and the same will be noted on the vessel log. The official
seals may be removed only by a designated agent of NMFS upon arrival at
the point of sale or delivery.
(b) Dealers--(1) Reports. Consistent with the provisions of this
section, a dealer who has been issued a permit under Sec. 630.4(b) must
complete and submit a report on purchases of regulated species to the
Science and Research Director twice each month. A report form is
available from the Science and Research Director.
(2) Atlantic tunas, swordfish and sharks. (i) A report of regulated
and other applicable species received by a dealer on the first through
the 15th days of each month must be submitted to the Science and
Research Director postmarked not later than the 20th day of that month.
A report of regulated and other applicable species received by a dealer
on the 16th through the last day of each month must be submitted to the
Science and Research Director postmarked not later than the fifth day
of the following month. If no regulated species were received during
the reporting period, a report so stating must be submitted, postmarked
as specified for that reporting period.
(ii) The reporting requirement of paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this
section may be satisfied by providing a copy of each appropriate
weighout sheet and/or sales record, provided such weighout sheet and/or
sales record, by itself or combined with the form available from the
Science and Research Director, includes all of the required
information.
(iii) In lieu of providing a report required under paragraph
(b)(2)(i) of this section to the Science and Research Director by mail,
a dealer may provide the report to a state or Federal fishery port
agent designated by the Science and Research Director. Reports so
provided must be delivered to such port agent not later than the
prescribed postmark date for submitting each such report.
(3) Atlantic bluefin tuna. In addition to reports required under
paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section:
(i) Any dealer purchasing or receiving an Atlantic bluefin tuna
harvested by a vessel of the United States and at the point of first
landing, must report as instructed by the Regional Director within 24
hours of the purchase or receipt of each fish from the person or vessel
that harvested the fish. In addition, dealers must submit to the
Regional Director all information as required on a reporting card
provided by NMFS. The reporting card must be postmarked within 24 hours
of the purchase or receipt of each Atlantic bluefin tuna. Each vessel
permit holder or vessel operator must sign each reporting card
immediately upon transfer of the fish to verify the name of the vessel
that landed the fish and the vessel permit number. The dealer
purchasing or receiving the Atlantic
[[Page 57369]]
bluefin tuna must inspect the vessel permit and verify that the
required vessel name and vessel permit information is correctly
recorded on the reporting card.
(ii) Any dealer purchasing, receiving, or importing an Atlantic
bluefin tuna must complete and submit to the Regional Director a
biweekly report on forms supplied by NMFS. A report of Atlantic bluefin
tuna received by a dealer on the first through the 15th days of each
month must be submitted to the Regional Director postmarked not later
than the 20th day of that month. A report of Atlantic bluefin tuna
received by the dealer on the 16th through the last day of each month
must be submitted to the Regional Director postmarked not later than
the fifth day of the following month.
(c) Tournament operators. A person conducting a fishing tournament
involving Atlantic billfish, tunas, swordfish, or sharks from a port in
an Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean state must notify the Science
and Research Director of the purpose, dates and location of the
tournament at least 4 weeks prior to commencement. Tournament operators
must maintain and submit a record of catch and effort on forms
available from the Science and Research Director. Completed forms must
be submitted to the Science and Research Director postmarked not later
than the seventh day after the conclusion of the tournament and must be
accompanied by a copy of the tournament rules.
(d) Recordkeeping. A dealer who has been issued a permit under
Sec. 630.4(b) must retain at his/her place of business a copy of each
biweekly report required under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section,
each landing card (including proof of transmission) required under
paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section, and a copy of each biweekly report
required under paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section for a period of 2
years from the date on which each report was required to be submitted
to the Regional Director.
(e) Inspection. Any person authorized to carry out enforcement
activities under the regulations in this part has authority, without
warrant or other process, to inspect, at any reasonable time, catch on
board the vessel, log books, catch reports, statistical records, sales
receipts, or other records and reports required by this part to be
made, kept, or furnished. An owner or operator of a fishing vessel or a
dealer who has been issued a permit under Sec. 630.4 must allow an
authorized officer to inspect and/or copy any required reports and the
records, in any form, on which the completed reports are based.
(f) Additional data. Additional data on Atlantic tunas, swordfish
and sharks may be collected by authorized statistical reporting agents,
as designees of the Science and Research Director, and by authorized
officers.
Sec. 630.6 Vessel identification.
(a) Official number. The official number of a vessel for which a
permit has been issued under Sec. 630.4(a)(3) and/or (4) must be
permanently affixed to or painted on the vessel on the port and
starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull and on an appropriate weather
deck so as to be clearly visible from an enforcement vessel or
aircraft; in block arabic numerals in contrasting color to the
background and at least 18 inches (45.7 cm) in height for vessels over
65 ft (19.8 m) in length and at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) in height for
all other vessels.
(b) Duties of operator. The operator of each fishing vessel must
keep the official number clearly legible and in good repair and ensure
that no part of the vessel, its rigging, its fishing gear, or anything
carried on board obstructs the view of the official number from any
enforcement vessel or aircraft.
Sec. 630.7 At-sea observer coverage.
(a) Atlantic tunas. (1) Notwithstanding prior selection for
placement, placement or authorized waiver of placement of at-sea
fishery observers under the authority of any other Federal statute or
fisheries regulation, NMFS may require observers for any vessel engaged
in directed fishing for, or incidentally taking, Atlantic tunas at any
time.
(2) Owners of vessels selected for observer coverage are required
to notify the Science and Research Director before commencing any
fishing trip that may result in the harvest of any Atlantic tuna.
Notification procedures will be specified in selection letters to
vessel owners.
(b) Atlantic swordfish and sharks. (1) If a vessel's trip is
selected by the Science and Research Director for observer coverage,
the owner or operator of such vessel must accommodate a NMFS-approved
observer.
(2) When notified in writing by the Science and Research Director
that his/her vessel has been selected to carry a NMFS-approved
observer, an owner or operator of a vessel for which a vessel permit
has been issued under Sec. 630.4(a)(3) or (4) must notify the Science
and Research Director in writing not less than 5 days in advance of
each swordfish trip and not less that 10 days in advance of each shark
trip of the expected port, dock, date, and time of departure and the
expected port, dock, date, and time of landing.
(c) Requirements. An owner or operator of a vessel on which a NMFS-
approved observer is embarked must:
(1) Provide accommodations and food that are equivalent to those
provided to the crew.
(2) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's
communications equipment and personnel upon request for the
transmission and receipt of messages related to the observer's duties.
(3) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's navigation
equipment and personnel upon request to determine the vessel's
position.
(4) Allow the observer free and unobstructed access to the vessel's
bridge, working decks, holding bins, weight scales, holds, and any
other space used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish.
(5) Allow the observer to inspect and copy the vessel's log,
communications logs, and any records associated with the catch and
distribution of fish for that trip.
Subpart B--Management Measures
Sec. 630.20 Fishing years and seasons.
(a) Atlantic bluefin tuna--(1) Commencement. The fishing year for
Atlantic bluefin tuna in the regulatory area begins--
(i) On January 1 of each year--
(A) For anglers fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna under the quota
specified in accordance with Sec. 630.28(b)(3).
(B) For vessels for which a Longline category permit has been
issued under Sec. 630.4(a)(2) when fishing under the quota specified in
accordance with Sec. 630.28(b)(4).
(C) For anglers participating in the catch and release program
under Sec. 630.30.
(ii) On June 1 of each year--
(A) For anglers fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna under the quota
specified in accordance with Sec. 630.28(b)(2).
(B) For vessels for which a Harpoon Boat category permit has been
issued under Sec. 630.4(a)(2) when fishing under the quota specified in
accordance with Sec. 630.28(b)(1).
(iii) On August 15 of each year for vessels for which a Purse Seine
category permit has been issued under Sec. 630.4(a)(2) when fishing
under the quota specified in accordance with Sec. 630.28(b)(1).
(2) Adjustment. Consistent with the Convention, the ATCA, and this
part, NMFS may change the commencement date for Atlantic bluefin tuna
fishing for any vessel permit or quota category
[[Page 57370]]
when NMFS determines that the changed date will enable scientific
research on the status of the stock to be conducted more effectively
and will not prevent the quotas for the affected fishery from being
caught, based upon historical catch data or other relevant information.
NMFS will publish notification in the Federal Register of any change in
the commencement date(s) for fishing under this paragraph (a) at least
60 days before commencement of the affected fishery.
(b) Atlantic swordfish. The fishing year for Atlantic swordfish is
June 1 through May 30 of the subsequent year.
(c) Atlantic billfishes and sharks. The fishing year is January 1
through December 31.
(d) State actions. Nothing in this section may be construed to
invalidate any more restrictive commencement or closure date
established by any state in waters under its jurisdiction.
Sec. 630.21 Gear restrictions.
(a) Persons fishing for, retaining or possessing Atlantic bluefin
tuna must not possess on board or use any gear not authorized for the
category for which a permit has been issued under Sec. 630.4(a)(2) for
the carrying vessel. Gear types authorized by Atlantic tunas permit
category are:
(i) General--rod and reel (including downriggers), handline,
harpoon, bandit gear.
(ii) Charter/Headboat--rod and reel (including downriggers),
handline.
(iii) Angling--rod and reel (including downriggers), handline.
(iv) Harpoon Boat--harpoon.
(v) Purse Seine--purse seine nets.
(vi) Longline--pelagic longlines.
(b) Float marking. Any flotation device attached to handline or
harpoon gear must have the Atlantic tuna, shark, or swordfish permit
number of the vessel from which it is used permanently affixed to it in
block arabic numerals at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) in height and in a color
that contrasts with the background color of the flotation device.
(c) Gillnets. A drift gillnet with a total length of 2.5 km or more
may not be used to fish for regulated species. A vessel using or having
on board a drift gillnet with a total length of 2.5 km or more may not
possess a regulated species.
(d) Atlantic billfishes. Only billfish harvested by rod and reel
gear may be possessed or retained in the regulatory area. Regardless of
how taken, a vessel using or having on board a pelagic longline or
drift gillnet may not possess or retain Atlantic billfishes in the
regulatory area.
(e) Atlantic swordfish. Only vessels using pelagic longline, drift
gillnet or harpoon gear may conduct directed fishing for swordfish, or
possess in the regulatory area swordfish in excess of the applicable
bycatch allowance.
Sec. 630.22 Purse seine vessel requirements.
(a) Mesh size. (1) Any owner or operator of a vessel with a permit
issued under Sec. 630.4(a) conducting directed fishing for Atlantic
tunas with a purse seine net must use a net with a mesh size equal to
or smaller than 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) in the main body (stretched when
wet) and that has at least 24-count thread throughout the net.
(2) The Regional Director may exempt any person from the mesh
requirements in paragraph (a)(1) of this section if the Regional
Director determines that the exemption will not result in significant
injury or mortality to Atlantic tuna that are encircled by the net, but
manage to escape.
(b) Inspection. A purse seine vessel conducting a directed fishery
for Atlantic tunas must be inspected by an enforcement agent of NMFS
prior to commencing fishing for the season in any fishery that may
result in the harvest of any regulated species. The owner or operator
must request such inspection at least 48 hours before commencement of
the first fishing trip of the season. In addition, at least 48 hours
before commencement of offloading any Atlantic tunas after a fishing
trip, the owner or operator must request an inspection of vessel and
catch by notifying the Regional Director. Lack of any such inspection
within 48 hours of notification shall constitute a waiver of this
inspection requirement.
(c) Vessel allocations. (1) Owners or operators of vessels for
which a Purse Seine permit has been issued under Sec. 630.4(a)(2) must
apply to the Regional Director for an allocation of Atlantic bluefin
tuna from the quotas specified in accordance with Sec. 630.28(b)(1).
Such application must be in writing and postmarked no later than April
15 of the fishing year.
(2) On or about May 1 of the fishing year, the Regional Director
will make equal allocations of the available size classes of Atlantic
bluefin tuna among purse seine vessel owners so requesting. Such
allocations are freely transferrable, in whole or in part, among purse
seine vessel permit holders. Any purse seine vessel permit holder
intending to fish for more than one allocation in any fishing season
must provide written notice of such intent to the Regional Director 15
days before commencing fishing in that season. Purse seine vessel
permit holders who transfer their annual allocation to another purse
seine vessel permit holder must not fish their permitted vessel in any
fishery in which Atlantic bluefin tuna might be caught for the
remainder of the fishing year after their allocation is transferred.
(3) Purse seine vessel owners may apply to the Regional Director to
permanently consolidate vessel permits issued under Sec. 630.4(a)(2).
Upon written approval of consolidation by the Regional Director, the
Atlantic tuna permit(s) of the transferring vessel(s) will be
cancelled, and the holder of the consolidated permit is authorized to
apply for allocations of Atlantic bluefin tuna commensurate with the
number of consolidated permits. Purse seine vessel owners who cancel
their permit(s) by means of consolidation must not fish their vessel in
any fishery in which Atlantic bluefin tuna might be caught.
(d) Transfer at sea. Owners or operators of vessels for which a
Purse Seine permit has been issued under Sec. 630.4(a)(2) may transfer
large medium and giant Atlantic bluefin tuna at sea from the net of the
catching vessel to another vessel for which a Purse Seine permit has
been issued under Sec. 630.4(a)(2), provided the amount transferred
does not cause the receiving vessel to exceed its annual vessel
allocation and authorized allocation transfers.
(e) Fishery closures. A vessel for which a Purse Seine permit has
been issued under Sec. 630.4(a)(2) may fish under the bluefin tuna
quota specified in accordance with Sec. 630.28(b)(1), or in fisheries
for Atlantic yellowfin or skipjack tuna or other fisheries where
bluefin tuna might be taken as bycatch, only until the allocation of
bluefin tuna assigned or transferred to that vessel under paragraph
(c)(2) of this section is reached. Upon reaching its individual vessel
allocation of Atlantic bluefin tuna, directed purse seine fisheries for
Atlantic tunas are closed to such vessel and the vessel will be deemed
to have been given notice to that effect.
Sec. 630.23 Transfer, landing, and sale.
(a) Transfer at sea. (1) Other than as authorized under
Sec. 630.22(d), an Atlantic tuna may not be transferred at sea,
regardless of where the transfer takes place or where the fish was
harvested.
(2) A swordfish harvested from the North Atlantic Ocean, including
the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, north of 5 deg. N. lat. may not
be transferred at sea, regardless of where the transfer takes place;
and in the North Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and
Caribbean Sea, north of 5 deg. N. lat., a swordfish may not be
transferred at
[[Page 57371]]
sea, regardless of where the swordfish was harvested.
(3) A shark from any of the three management units may not be
transferred at sea from a vessel for which an Atlantic shark permit has
been issued under Sec. 630.4(a)(4) to any other vessel. A person for
whom a catch limit specified in Sec. 630.29(b) applies may not transfer
at sea a shark--
(i) Taken in the EEZ, regardless of where such transfer takes
place; or
(ii) In the EEZ, regardless of where such shark was taken.
(b) Landing. (1) A tuna possessed in the Atlantic Ocean, including
the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, must be maintained in round
form, or in the alternative, eviscerated with the head and fins
removed, provided one pectoral fin and the tail remain attached. A tuna
may not be landed from a fishing vessel in an Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico,
or Caribbean coastal state in forms other than round, or in the
alternative, eviscerated with the head and fins removed, provided one
pectoral fin and the tail remain attached.
(2) Purse seine vessel owners must have each large medium and giant
bluefin tuna in their catch weighed, measured, and the information
recorded on the required landing cards at the time of offloading and
prior to transporting such tuna from the area of offloading.
(3) A swordfish possessed in the North Atlantic Ocean, including
the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, north of 5 deg. N. lat. must
be in whole or dressed form, and a swordfish landed from a fishing
vessel in an Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean coastal state must
be maintained in whole or dressed form through offloading, except such
swordfish as are damaged by shark bites. A shark-bit swordfish for
which the remainder of the carcass is less than the minimum size limit
specified in Sec. 630.25(c) may not be possessed or landed.
(4) A billfish possessed aboard a fishing vessel of the United
States shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ must have its head,
fins, and bill intact and a billfish landed from a fishing vessel in an
Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean coastal state must have its
head, fins, and bill intact through landing. Such billfish may be
eviscerated, but must otherwise be maintained in a whole condition.
(c) Sale--(1) Atlantic swordfish. (i) A swordfish harvested from or
possessed in the North Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and
Caribbean Sea, north of 5 deg. N. lat. may be initially sold, traded,
or bartered or attempted to be sold, traded, or bartered only by an
owner or operator of a vessel for which a permit has been issued under
Sec. 630.4(a)(3).
(ii) A swordfish harvested from or possessed in the North Atlantic
Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, north of 5 deg.
N. lat. may be initially purchased, traded, or bartered or attempted to
be purchased, traded, or bartered only by a dealer having an Atlantic
swordfish dealer permit issued under Sec. 630.4(b).
(iii) A swordfish harvested from or possessed in the North Atlantic
Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, north of 5 deg.
N. lat. in the recreational fishery may not be sold, purchased, traded,
or bartered or attempted to be sold, purchased, traded, or bartered.
(2) Atlantic tunas. (i) An Atlantic tuna, or parts thereof,
harvested from or possessed in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf
of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, may be initially sold (purchased), traded,
or bartered or attempted to be sold (purchased), traded, or bartered
only by an owner or operator of a vessel for which a permit has been
issued under Sec. 630.4(a)(2) to a dealer having an Atlantic tunas
permit issued under Sec. 630.4(b).
(ii) Any Atlantic bluefin tuna less than the large medium size
class may not be, or attempted to be, purchased, bartered, traded,
sold, or offered for sale, or retained or possessed by a dealer or
seafood processor in any state, unless it is lawfully imported and is
accompanied by a BSD (see subpart C of this part).
(iii) Except for a bluefin tuna landed in a Pacific state and
remaining in the state of landing, a bluefin tuna that is possessed by
a dealer or seafood processor is deemed to be a bluefin tuna harvested
from the Atlantic Ocean by a U.S. vessel, unless it is accompanied by a
BSD.
(3) Billfish. (i) A billfish harvested from its management unit or
a related species harvested from the Atlantic Ocean (including the Gulf
of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea), may not be purchased, bartered,
traded, sold, or offered for sale in any state.
(ii) Except for a billfish or related species landed in a Pacific
state and remaining in the state of landing, a billfish or related
species that is possessed by a dealer or seafood processor is deemed to
be a billfish harvested from its management unit or a related species
harvested from the Atlantic Ocean, unless it is accompanied by
documentation that the billfish was harvested from outside its
management unit or the related species was harvested from other than
the Atlantic Ocean. Such documentation must contain all information
specified on the Certificate of Eligibility form obtainable from the
Regional Director.
(4) Atlantic sharks. (i) Upon landing, meat or fins from a shark
from the management unit may be sold, traded, or bartered, or attempted
to be sold, traded, or bartered, only by an owner or operator of a
vessel for which a permit has been issued under Sec. 630.4(a)(4),
unless such meat or fins are from a shark harvested by a vessel that
has not been issued a permit under this part and that fished
exclusively within the waters under the jurisdiction of any state.
(ii) Upon landing, meat or fins from a shark from the management
unit, except a shark harvested from a vessel that has not been issued a
permit under this part and that fished exclusively within the waters
under the jurisdiction of any state, may be purchased, traded, or
bartered, or attempted to be purchased, traded, or bartered, only from
the owner or operator of a vessel for which a permit has been issued
under Sec. 630.4(a)(4).
(iii) Except for a shark harvested from a vessel that has not been
issued a permit under this part and that fished exclusively within the
waters under the jurisdiction of any state, a shark from the management
unit may be sold, traded, or bartered, or attempted to be sold, traded,
or bartered, only to a dealer having an Atlantic sharks permit under
Sec. 630.4(b).
(iv) Fins from a shark harvested in the EEZ, or by a vessel for
which a permit has been issued under Sec. 630.4(a)(4), that are
disproportionate to the weight of carcasses landed may not be sold,
purchased, traded, or bartered, or attempted to be sold, purchased,
traded, or bartered.
Sec. 630.24 Fish marking requirements.
(a) Issuance of tags. The Regional Director will issue numbered
tail tags to each person issued an Atlantic tunas dealer permit under
Sec. 630.4(b).
(b) Transfer of tags. Tail tags issued under this section are not
transferable and are usable only by the permitted dealer to whom they
are issued.
(c) Affixing tags. (1) A dealer or agent must affix a tail tag to
each Atlantic bluefin tuna purchased or received, immediately upon its
offloading from a vessel. The tail tag must be affixed to the tuna
between the fifth dorsal finlet and the keel.
(2) Any person who catches a large medium or giant Atlantic bluefin
tuna and does not transfer it to a dealer issued a permit under
Sec. 630.4(b) must contact the nearest NMFS enforcement
[[Page 57372]]
office at the time of landing said Atlantic bluefin tuna and make the
tuna available so that an NMFS enforcement agent may inspect the fish
and attach a tail tag to it. A list of local NMFS enforcement offices
can be obtained from the Regional Director. The Regional Director may
designate a person other than an NMFS agent to inspect and tag the
fish. Such designation will be made in writing.
(d) Removal of tags. A tag affixed to any Atlantic bluefin tuna
under paragraph (c)(1) of this section or under Sec. 630.42(a)(6)(v)
must remain on the tuna until the tuna is cut into portions. If the
tuna or tuna parts subsequently are packaged for transport for domestic
commercial use or for export, the tag number must be written legibly
and indelibly on the outside of any package or container. Tag numbers
must be recorded on any document accompanying shipment of bluefin tuna
for commercial use or export.
(e) Reuse of tags. Tags issued under this section are separately
numbered and may be used only once, one tail tag per fish, to
distinguish the purchase of one Atlantic bluefin tuna. Once affixed to
a tuna or recorded on any package, container or report, a tail tag and
associated number may not be reused.
Sec. 630.25 Size limits and size classes.
(a) Atlantic bluefin tuna. (1) Fishing for, catching, retention, or
possession of Atlantic bluefin tuna in the regulatory area by persons
aboard fishing vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States
is authorized only for yellowfin or bigeye tuna measuring 27 inches (69
cm) or more in CFL.
(2) CFL is the sole criterion for determining the size class of
whole (head on) Atlantic bluefin tuna. For any Atlantic bluefin tuna
found with the head removed, the CFL for the purposes of determining
size class when the tuna was caught, will be deemed to be PFCFL
multiplied by 1.35. PFCFL is the sole criterion for determining the
size class of a beheaded Atlantic bluefin tuna. Atlantic bluefin tuna
are deemed to fall into a size class according to the following table;
approximate round weights are given for illustrative purposes only.
Table 1 to Sec. 630.25(a)(2).--Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Regulatory Size Classes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pectoral fin curved fork length
Size category Total curved fork length (CFL) (PFCFL) Approx. round weight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Young School..................... Less than 27 inches................... Less than 20 inches................... Less than 14 lb.
Less than 69 cm....................... Less than 51 cm....................... Less than 6.4 kg.
School........................... 27 to <47 inches......................="" 20="" to=""><35 inches......................="" 14="" to=""><66 lb.="" 69="" to=""><119 cm.........................="" 51="" to=""><89 cm..........................="" 6.4="" to=""><30 kg.="" large="" school.....................="" 47="" to=""><59 inches......................="" 35="" to=""><44 inches......................="" 66="" to=""><135 lb.="" 119="" to=""><150 cm........................="" 89="" to=""><112 cm.........................="" 30="" to=""><61 kg.="" small="" medium.....................="" 59="" to=""><73 inches......................="" 44="" to=""><54 inches......................="" 135="" to=""><235 lb.="" 150="" to=""><185 cm........................="" 112="" to=""><137 cm........................="" 61="" to=""><107 kg.="" large="" medium.....................="" 73="" to=""><81 inches......................="" 54="" to=""><60 inches......................="" 235="" to=""><310 lb.="" 185="" to=""><206 cm........................="" 137="" to=""><152 cm........................="" 107="" to=""><141 kg.="" giant............................="" 81="" inches="" or="" greater..................="" 60="" inches="" or="" greater..................="" 310="" lb="" or="" greater.="" 206="" cm="" or="" greater.....................="" 152="" cm="" or="" greater.....................="" 141="" kg="" or="" greater.="" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------="" (b)="" atlantic="" yellowfin="" and="" bigeye="" tunas.="" (1)="" fishing="" for,="" catching,="" retention,="" or="" possession="" of="" atlantic="" yellowfin="" and="" bigeye="" tunas="" in="" the="" regulatory="" area="" by="" persons="" aboard="" fishing="" vessels="" subject="" to="" the="" jurisdiction="" of="" the="" united="" states="" is="" authorized="" only="" for="" yellowfin="" or="" bigeye="" tuna="" measuring="" 27="" inches="" (69="" cm)="" or="" more="" in="" cfl.="" (2)="" cfl="" is="" the="" sole="" criterion="" for="" determining="" the="" size="" class="" of="" whole="" (head="" on)="" atlantic="" yellowfin="" and="" bigeye="" tuna.="" (c)="" atlantic="" swordfish.="" the="" minimum="" allowable="" size="" for="" possession="" on="" board="" a="" fishing="" vessel="" of="" the="" united="" states="" for="" a="" swordfish="" taken="" from="" the="" management="" unit="" or="" for="" a="" swordfish="" landed="" from="" a="" fishing="" vessel="" in="" an="" atlantic,="" gulf="" of="" mexico,="" or="" caribbean="" coastal="" state="" is="" 29="" inches="" (73="" cm)="" ck="" or,="" if="" swordfish="" are="" weighed,="" 33="" lb="" (15="" kg)="" dressed="" weight.="" (d)="" atlantic="" billfishes.="" the="" following="" minimum="" size="" limits,="" expressed="" in="" terms="" of="" ljfl,="" apply="" to="" possession="" of="" the="" following="" species="" of="" billfish="" shoreward="" of="" the="" outer="" boundary="" of="" the="" eez,="" regardless="" of="" where="" caught:="" (1)="" blue="" marlin--86="" inches="" (218="" cm).="" (2)="" white="" marlin--62="" inches="" (157="" cm).="" (3)="" sailfish--57="" inches="" (145="" cm).="" sec.="" 630.26="" incidental="" catch.="" (a)="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna--(1)="" longline.="" subject="" to="" the="" quotas="" specified="" in="" accordance="" with="" sec.="" 630.28(b)(4),="" any="" person="" operating="" a="" vessel="" using="" longline="" gear="" for="" which="" a="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" may="" retain="" or="" land="" large="" medium="" and="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" as="" incidental="" catch.="" the="" amount="" of="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" retained="" or="" landed="" may="" not="" exceed:="" (i)="" one="" fish="" per="" vessel="" per="" fishing="" trip="" landed="" south="" of="" 34="" deg.00'="" n.="" lat.,="" provided="" that="" for="" the="" months="" of="" january="" through="" april="" at="" least="" 1,500="" lb="" (680="" kg),="" and="" for="" the="" months="" of="" may="" through="" december="" at="" least="" 3,500="" lb="" (1,588="" kg),="" either="" dressed="" or="" round="" weight,="" of="" species="" other="" than="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" are="" legally="" caught,="" retained,="" and="" offloaded="" from="" the="" same="" trip="" and="" are="" recorded="" on="" the="" dealer="" weighout="" as="" sold.="" (ii)="" two="" percent="" by="" weight,="" either="" dressed="" or="" round="" weight,="" of="" all="" other="" fish="" legally="" landed,="" offloaded="" and="" documented="" on="" the="" dealer="" weighout="" as="" sold="" at="" the="" end="" of="" each="" fishing="" trip,="" north="" of="" 34="" deg.00'="" n.="" lat.="" (2)="" purse="" seine.="" when="" fishing="" for="" atlantic="" yellowfin="" or="" skipjack="" tuna,="" vessels="" for="" which="" an="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" purse="" seine="" category="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" are="" allowed="" a="" 1-percent="" per="" trip="" (by="" weight)="" incidental="" take="" of="" bluefin="" less="" than="" the="" large="" medium="" size="" class.="" any="" landings="" of="" these="" incidental="" catches="" may="" not="" be="" sold="" and="" will="" be="" counted="" against="" the="" purse="" seine="" category="" quota="" allocation="" for="" bluefin="" tuna.="" (b)="" atlantic="" swordfish--(1)="" bycatch="" limits="" during="" a="" directed-="" fishery="" closure.="" (i)="" during="" a="" closure="" of="" the="" drift="" gillnet="" fishery,="" a="" person="" aboard="" a="" vessel="" using="" or="" having="" on="" board="" a="" drift="" gillnet="" may="" not="" fish="" for="" swordfish="" from="" the="" management="" unit="" and="" no="" more="" than="" two="" swordfish="" per="" trip="" may="" be="" possessed="" in="" the="" north="" atlantic="" ocean,="" including="" the="" gulf="" of="" mexico="" and="" caribbean="" sea,="" north="" of="" 5="" deg.="" n.="" lat.,="" or="" landed="" in="" an="" atlantic,="" gulf="" of="" mexico,="" or="" caribbean="" coastal="" state.="" (ii)="" during="" a="" closure="" of="" the="" directed="" fishery,="" a="" person="" aboard="" a="" vessel="" using="" or="" having="" on="" board="" a="" longline="" may="" not="" fish="" for="" swordfish="" from="" the="" management="" unit="" and="" no="" more="" than="" 15="" swordfish="" per="" [[page="" 57373]]="" trip="" may="" be="" possessed="" in="" the="" north="" atlantic="" ocean,="" including="" the="" gulf="" of="" mexico="" and="" caribbean="" sea,="" north="" of="" 5="" deg.="" n.="" lat.,="" or="" landed="" in="" an="" atlantic,="" gulf="" of="" mexico,="" or="" caribbean="" coastal="" state.="" nmfs="" may="" modify="" or="" change="" the="" bycatch="" limits="" applicable="" during="" a="" directed="" longline="" fishery="" closure="" upon="" publication="" of="" a="" notice="" in="" the="" federal="" register.="" the="" effective="" date="" of="" such="" notice="" will="" be="" at="" least="" 14="" days="" after="" the="" date="" such="" notice="" is="" filed="" at="" the="" office="" of="" the="" federal="" register.="" changes="" in="" the="" bycatch="" limits="" will="" be="" based="" upon="" the="" length="" of="" the="" directed="" longline="" fishery="" closure,="" as="" well="" as="" the="" estimated="" catch="" per="" vessel="" in="" the="" non-directed="" fishery.="" (iii)="" during="" a="" closure="" of="" the="" directed="" fishery,="" a="" person="" aboard="" a="" vessel="" using="" or="" having="" on="" board="" harpoon="" gear="" may="" not="" harpoon="" for="" swordfish="" from="" the="" management="" unit="" and="" no="" harpooned="" swordfish="" may="" be="" possessed="" in="" the="" north="" atlantic="" ocean,="" including="" the="" gulf="" of="" mexico="" and="" caribbean="" sea,="" north="" of="" 5="" deg.="" n.="" lat.,="" or="" landed="" in="" an="" atlantic,="" gulf="" of="" mexico,="" or="" caribbean="" coastal="" state.="" (2)="" bycatch="" limits="" in="" the="" non-directed="" fishery.="" (i)="" aboard="" a="" vessel="" using="" or="" having="" on="" board="" gear="" other="" than="" drift="" gillnet,="" harpoon,="" or="" longline,="" other="" than="" a="" vessel="" in="" the="" recreational="" fishery,="" a="" person="" may="" not="" fish="" for="" swordfish="" from="" the="" management="" unit.="" (ii)="" except="" as="" specified="" in="" paragraph="" (b)(2)(iii)="" of="" this="" section,="" no="" more="" than="" two="" swordfish="" per="" trip="" may="" be="" possessed="" in="" the="" north="" atlantic="" ocean,="" including="" the="" gulf="" of="" mexico="" and="" caribbean="" sea,="" north="" of="" 5="" deg.="" n.="" lat.,="" or="" landed="" in="" an="" atlantic,="" gulf="" of="" mexico,="" or="" caribbean="" coastal="" state.="" (iii)="" aboard="" a="" vessel="" in="" the="" squid="" trawl="" fishery,="" no="" more="" than="" five="" swordfish="" per="" trip="" may="" be="" possessed="" in="" the="" north="" atlantic="" ocean,="" including="" the="" gulf="" of="" mexico="" and="" caribbean="" sea,="" north="" of="" 5="" deg.="" n.="" lat.,="" or="" landed="" in="" an="" atlantic,="" gulf="" of="" mexico,="" or="" caribbean="" coastal="" state.="" for="" the="" purposes="" of="" this="" paragraph="" (b)(2)(iii),="" a="" vessel="" is="" considered="" to="" be="" in="" the="" squid="" trawl="" fishery="" when="" it="" has="" no="" commercial="" fishing="" gear="" other="" than="" trawl="" gear="" on="" board="" and="" squid="" constitute="" not="" less="" than="" 75="" percent="" by="" weight="" of="" the="" total="" fish="" on="" board="" or="" offloaded="" from="" the="" vessel.="" (3)="" limits="" during="" a="" bycatch="" closure.="" during="" a="" closure="" of="" the="" bycatch="" fishery="" under="" sec.="" 630.28(e)(2)(ii),="" the="" provisions="" of="" paragraphs="" (b)(2)="" (ii)="" and="" (iii)="" of="" this="" section="" notwithstanding,="" a="" person="" aboard="" a="" fishing="" vessel,="" other="" than="" a="" vessel="" in="" the="" recreational="" fishery,="" may="" not="" fish="" for="" swordfish="" from="" the="" management="" unit="" and="" no="" swordfish="" may="" be="" possessed="" on="" other="" than="" a="" recreational="" fishing="" vessel="" in="" the="" north="" atlantic="" ocean,="" including="" the="" gulf="" of="" mexico="" and="" caribbean="" sea,="" north="" of="" 5="" deg.="" n.="" lat.,="" or="" landed="" in="" an="" atlantic,="" gulf="" of="" mexico,="" or="" caribbean="" coastal="" state.="" sec.="" 630.27="" harvest="" restrictions.="" (a)="" atlantic="" swordfish.="" a="" vessel="" for="" which="" a="" swordfish="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(3)="" may="" land="" from="" or="" possess="" during="" a="" single="" trip="" no="" more="" than="" 31,600="" lb="" (14,334="" kg)="" dressed="" weight="" of="" swordfish,="" unless="" a="" closure="" has="" been="" effected="" under="" sec.="" 630.28(e)(2),="" in="" which="" case="" bycatch="" limits="" specified="" under="" sec.="" 630.26(b)="" apply.="" (b)="" atlantic="" sharks--(1)="" trip="" limit.="" a="" vessel="" for="" which="" a="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(4)="" may="" not="" land="" from="" or="" possess="" during="" a="" single="" trip="" more="" than="" 4,000="" lb="" (1,814="" kg),="" dressed="" weight,="" of="" large="" coastal="" species,="" unless="" a="" closure="" has="" been="" effected="" under="" sec.="" 630.28(e)(3).="" (2)="" fins.="" (i)="" the="" practice="" of="" ``finning,''="" that="" is,="" removing="" only="" the="" fins="" and="" returning="" the="" remainder="" of="" the="" shark="" to="" the="" sea,="" is="" prohibited="" in="" the="" eez="" and="" on="" board="" any="" vessel="" for="" which="" a="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(4).="" (ii)="" shark="" fins="" that="" are="" possessed="" aboard="" or="" offloaded="" from="" a="" fishing="" vessel="" must="" not="" exceed="" 5="" percent="" of="" the="" weight="" of="" the="" shark="" carcasses.="" all="" fins="" must="" be="" weighed="" in="" conjunction="" with="" the="" weighing="" of="" the="" carcasses="" at="" the="" vessel's="" first="" point="" of="" landing="" and="" such="" weights="" of="" the="" fins="" landed="" must="" be="" recorded="" on="" the="" weighout="" slips="" submitted="" by="" the="" vessel="" owner="" or="" operator="" under="" sec.="" 630.5(a).="" (iii)="" shark="" fins="" may="" not="" be="" possessed="" aboard="" a="" fishing="" vessel="" after="" the="" vessel's="" first="" point="" of="" landing.="" sec.="" 630.28="" quotas="" and="" closures.="" (a)="" annual="" specifications.="" see="" sec.="" 630.31(a).="" (b)="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna.="" (1)="" consistent="" with="" iccat="" recommendations,="" the="" total="" annual="" (january="" 1-december="" 31)="" amount="" of="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" that="" may="" be="" caught,="" retained,="" possessed,="" or="" landed="" by="" persons="" and="" vessels="" subject="" to="" u.s.="" jurisdiction="" in="" the="" regulatory="" area="" will="" be="" subdivided="" among="" the="" general,="" harpoon="" boat,="" purse="" seine,="" longline,="" and="" angling="" quota="" categories.="" in="" addition,="" a="" portion="" of="" the="" annual="" quota="" of="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" will="" be="" held="" in="" reserve="" for="" inseason="" adjustments="" and="" to="" compensate="" for="" overharvest="" in="" any="" category.="" (2)="" general="" category.="" the="" total="" annual="" amount="" of="" large="" medium="" and="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" that="" may="" be="" caught,="" retained,="" possessed="" or="" landed="" in="" the="" regulatory="" area="" by="" vessels="" for="" which="" general="" or="" charter/="" headboat="" category="" permits="" have="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" may="" be="" apportioned="" to="" specified="" fishing="" periods="" and/or="" specified="" geographic="" areas.="" such="" apportionment="" shall="" be="" consistent="" with="" the="" criteria="" listed="" under="" paragraph="" (b)(5)="" of="" this="" section.="" (3)="" angling="" category.="" the="" total="" annual="" amount="" of="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" that="" may="" be="" caught,="" retained,="" possessed="" or="" landed="" in="" the="" regulatory="" area="" by="" anglers="" aboard="" vessels="" for="" which="" angling,="" charter/="" headboat="" or="" general="" category="" permits="" have="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" may="" be="" apportioned="" to="" specified="" fishing="" periods,="" specified="" geographic="" areas="" and/or="" specified="" regulatory="" size="" classes.="" such="" apportionment="" shall="" be="" consistent="" with="" the="" criteria="" listed="" under="" paragraph="" (b)(5)="" of="" this="" section.="" (4)="" longline="" category.="" the="" total="" annual="" amount="" of="" large="" medium="" and="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" that="" may="" be="" caught,="" retained,="" possessed,="" or="" landed="" in="" the="" regulatory="" area="" by="" vessels="" for="" which="" longline="" category="" permits="" have="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" may="" be="" apportioned="" to="" specified="" fishing="" periods="" and/or="" specified="" geographic="" areas.="" such="" apportionment="" shall="" be="" consistent="" with="" the="" criteria="" listed="" under="" paragraph="" (b)(5)="" of="" this="" section.="" (5)="" inseason="" adjustments.="" nmfs="" may="" allocate="" any="" portion="" of="" the="" reserve="" held="" for="" inseason="" adjustments="" to="" any="" category="" of="" the="" fishery,="" or="" to="" account="" for="" harvest="" by="" persons="" conducting="" research="" activities="" authorized="" under="" sec.="" 630.1(b)(2)="" in="" accordance="" with="" sec.="" 630.32.="" nmfs="" will="" publish="" notification="" of="" allocation="" of="" any="" inseason="" adjustment="" amount="" in="" the="" federal="" register.="" before="" making="" any="" such="" allocation,="" nmfs="" will="" consider="" the="" following="" factors:="" (i)="" the="" usefulness="" of="" information="" obtained="" from="" catches="" of="" the="" particular="" category="" of="" the="" fishery="" for="" biological="" sampling="" and="" monitoring="" the="" status="" of="" the="" stock.="" (ii)="" the="" catches="" of="" the="" particular="" gear="" segment="" to="" date="" and="" the="" likelihood="" of="" closure="" of="" that="" segment="" of="" the="" fishery="" if="" no="" allocation="" is="" made.="" (iii)="" the="" projected="" ability="" of="" the="" particular="" gear="" segment="" to="" harvest="" the="" additional="" amount="" of="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" before="" the="" anticipated="" end="" of="" the="" fishing="" season.="" (iv)="" the="" estimated="" amounts="" by="" which="" quotas="" established="" for="" other="" gear="" segments="" of="" the="" fishery="" might="" be="" exceeded.="" (6)="" annual="" adjustments.="" if="" nmfs="" determines,="" based="" on="" landing="" statistics="" and="" other="" available="" information,="" that="" an="" annual="" quota="" in="" any="" category,="" or="" as="" appropriate,="" subcategory,="" has="" been="" exceeded="" or="" has="" not="" been="" reached,="" nmfs="" will="" subtract="" the="" overharvest="" [[page="" 57374]]="" from,="" or="" add="" the="" underharvest="" to,="" that="" quota="" category="" for="" the="" following="" year;="" provided="" that="" the="" total="" of="" the="" adjusted="" quotas="" and="" the="" reserve="" is="" consistent="" with="" a="" recommendation="" of="" iccat="" regarding="" country="" quotas.="" nmfs="" will="" publish="" any="" amounts="" to="" be="" subtracted="" or="" added="" and="" the="" basis="" for="" the="" quota="" reductions="" or="" increases="" in="" the="" notice="" of="" annual="" quota="" specifications.="" (c)="" atlantic="" swordfish--(1)="" annual.="" consistent="" with="" the="" requirements="" of="" this="" part,="" the="" total="" annual="" amount="" of="" swordfish="" from="" the="" north="" atlantic="" swordfish="" stock="" that="" may="" be="" caught,="" retained,="" possessed,="" or="" landed="" in="" the="" regulatory="" area="" by="" vessels="" for="" which="" a="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(3)="" may="" be="" apportioned="" to="" specified="" fishing="" periods,="" gear="" categories,="" and="" geographic="" areas.="" such="" specifications="" shall="" indicate="" harvest="" authorized="" for="" directed="" fisheries="" and="" harvest="" authorized="" as="" bycatch.="" (2)="" directed="" fishery.="" harvest="" of="" swordfish="" by="" a="" vessel="" of="" the="" united="" states="" in="" other="" than="" the="" recreational="" fishery="" is="" counted="" against="" the="" directed-fishery="" gear="" quota="" or="" the="" bycatch="" quota.="" a="" swordfish="" harvested="" by="" drift="" gillnet,="" longline,="" or="" harpoon="" and="" landed="" before="" the="" effective="" date="" of="" a="" closure="" for="" that="" gear="" is="" counted="" against="" the="" applicable="" directed-fishery="" gear="" quota.="" (3)="" bycatch="" fishery.="" (i)="" after="" a="" gear="" closure,="" a="" swordfish="" landed="" by="" a="" vessel="" using="" or="" possessing="" gear="" for="" which="" bycatch="" is="" allowed="" under="" sec.="" 630.26(b)(1)="" is="" counted="" against="" the="" bycatch="" allocation="" identified="" for="" that="" gear="" in="" the="" annual="" quota="" specification.="" (ii)="" notwithstanding="" paragraph="" (e)(3)(i)="" of="" this="" section,="" a="" swordfish="" harvested="" by="" a="" vessel="" using="" or="" possessing="" gear="" other="" than="" drift="" gillnet,="" longline,="" harpoon,="" or="" rod="" and="" reel="" is="" counted="" against="" the="" bycatch="" quota="" identified="" in="" the="" annual="" quota="" specification="" at="" all="" times.="" (4)="" gillnet="" harvest.="" a="" swordfish="" will="" be="" deemed="" to="" have="" been="" harvested="" by="" a="" drift="" gillnet="" when="" it="" is="" on="" board,="" or="" offloaded="" in="" an="" atlantic,="" gulf="" of="" mexico,="" or="" caribbean="" coastal="" state="" from,="" a="" vessel="" using="" or="" having="" on="" board="" a="" drift="" gillnet;="" or="" when="" it="" is="" on="" board,="" or="" offloaded="" in="" an="" atlantic,="" gulf="" of="" mexico,="" or="" caribbean="" coastal="" state="" from,="" a="" vessel="" that="" used="" or="" had="" on="" board="" a="" drift="" gillnet="" during="" its="" current="" or="" most="" recent="" fishing="" trip.="" (5)="" inseason="" adjustments.="" (i)="" nmfs="" may="" adjust,="" through="" notification="" filed="" with="" the="" office="" of="" the="" federal="" register,="" applicable="" semiannual="" directed="" or="" bycatch="" fishery="" quotas="" and="" gear="" quotas="" to="" reflect="" actual="" catches="" during="" the="" prior="" semiannual="" period,="" provided="" that="" the="" annual="" directed="" or="" bycatch="" fishery="" and="" gear="" quotas="" are="" not="" exceeded.="" (ii)="" if="" nmfs="" determines="" that="" the="" annual="" bycatch="" quota="" will="" not="" be="" taken="" before="" the="" end="" of="" the="" fishing="" year,="" the="" excess="" quota="" may="" be="" allocated="" to="" the="" directed-fishery="" quotas="" in="" the="" same="" gear="" quota="" proportions="" as="" the="" annual="" specifications="" in="" effect.="" (iii)="" if="" nmfs="" determines="" that="" it="" is="" necessary="" to="" close="" the="" directed="" fishery,="" any="" overharvest="" or="" underharvest="" of="" the="" directed-fishery="" quota="" will="" be="" used="" to="" adjust="" the="" annual="" bycatch="" quota="" accordingly,="" in="" the="" same="" gear="" quota="" proportions="" as="" the="" annual="" specifications="" in="" effect.="" (d)="" atlantic="" sharks--(1)="" general.="" the="" total="" annual="" amount="" of="" atlantic="" sharks="" that="" may="" be="" caught,="" retained,="" possessed,="" or="" landed="" in="" the="" regulatory="" area="" by="" vessels="" for="" which="" permits="" have="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(4)="" may="" be="" apportioned="" to="" specified="" fishing="" periods="" and="" species="" groups.="" such="" specifications="" shall="" indicate="" harvest="" authorized="" for="" directed="" fisheries="" and="" harvest="" authorized="" as="" bycatch.="" (2)="" applicability.="" persons="" fishing="" aboard="" vessels="" for="" which="" permits="" have="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(4),="" except="" for="" persons="" aboard="" vessels="" that="" are="" operating="" as="" charter="" vessels="" or="" headboats,="" are="" limited="" to="" the="" quotas="" specified="" annually="" pursuant="" to="" the="" provisions="" of="" this="" section.="" persons="" aboard="" vessels="" that="" are="" operating="" as="" charter="" vessels="" or="" headboats="" are="" limited="" to="" the="" catch="" limits="" in="" sec.="" 630.29(b).="" large="" coastal="" or="" pelagic="" species="" sharks="" that="" are="" sold="" are="" counted="" against="" the="" appropriate="" quota="" for="" their="" species="" group.="" (3)="" inseason="" adjustments.="" nmfs="" may="" adjust,="" through="" notification="" filed="" with="" the="" office="" of="" the="" federal="" register,="" applicable="" semiannual="" directed="" or="" bycatch="" fishery="" quotas="" and="" gear="" quotas="" to="" reflect="" actual="" catches="" during="" the="" prior="" semiannual="" period,="" provided="" that="" the="" annual="" directed="" or="" bycatch="" fishery="" quotas="" are="" not="" exceeded.="" (e)="" closures--(1)="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna.="" nmfs="" will="" monitor="" catch="" and="" landing="" statistics,="" including="" catch="" and="" landing="" statistics="" from="" previous="" years="" and="" projections="" based="" on="" those="" statistics,="" of="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" by="" vessels="" other="" than="" those="" permitted="" in="" the="" purse="" seine="" category.="" on="" the="" basis="" of="" these="" statistics,="" nmfs="" will="" project="" a="" date="" when="" the="" catch="" of="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" will="" equal="" any="" quota="" established="" under="" this="" section,="" and="" will="" file="" notification="" with="" the="" office="" of="" the="" federal="" register="" stating="" that="" fishing="" for="" or="" retaining="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" under="" the="" quota="" must="" cease="" on="" that="" date="" at="" a="" specified="" hour.="" (2)="" atlantic="" swordfish--(i)="" directed="" fishery.="" when="" a="" directed-="" fishery="" annual,="" semi-annual,="" or="" gear="" quota="" established="" under="" this="" section="" is="" reached,="" or="" is="" projected="" to="" be="" reached,="" nmfs="" will="" file="" a="" notice="" with="" the="" office="" of="" the="" federal="" register="" closing="" the="" entire="" directed="" fishery="" for="" fish="" from="" the="" north="" atlantic="" swordfish="" stock,="" the="" drift="" gillnet="" fishery,="" or="" the="" harpoon="" and="" longline="" fisheries,="" as="" appropriate.="" for="" the="" harpoon="" and="" longline="" fisheries,="" notice="" of="" closure="" shall="" be="" effective="" at="" least="" 14="" days="" after="" the="" date="" such="" notice="" is="" filed.="" for="" the="" drift="" gillnet="" fishery,="" notice="" of="" closure="" shall="" be="" effective="" at="" least="" 3="" days="" after="" the="" date="" such="" notice="" is="" filed.="" the="" closure="" will="" remain="" in="" effect="" until="" an="" additional="" directed-fishery="" or="" gear="" quota="" becomes="" available.="" during="" a="" closure="" of="" a="" directed="" fishery,="" the="" bycatch="" limits="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.26(b)="" are="" effective.="" (ii)="" bycatch="" fishery.="" when="" the="" bycatch="" quota="" established="" under="" this="" section="" is="" reached,="" or="" is="" projected="" to="" be="" reached,="" nmfs="" will="" file="" a="" notice="" with="" the="" office="" of="" the="" federal="" register="" prohibiting="" further="" possession="" or="" retention="" of="" atlantic="" swordfish="" by="" vessels="" of="" the="" united="" states,="" to="" be="" effective="" no="" sooner="" than="" 14="" days="" after="" the="" date="" such="" notice="" is="" filed.="" the="" closure="" will="" remain="" in="" effect="" until="" a="" new="" annual="" bycatch="" quota="" becomes="" available.="" (3)="" atlantic="" sharks.="" (i)="" when="" a="" commercial="" quota="" established="" under="" this="" section="" is="" reached,="" or="" is="" projected="" to="" be="" reached,="" nmfs="" will="" file="" a="" notice="" with="" the="" office="" of="" the="" federal="" register="" prohibiting="" further="" possession="" or="" retention="" of="" atlantic="" sharks="" by="" vessels="" for="" which="" a="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(4),="" to="" be="" effective="" no="" sooner="" than="" 5="" days="" after="" the="" date="" such="" notice="" is="" filed.="" (ii)="" on="" the="" effective="" date="" of="" such="" notification,="" for="" the="" remainder="" of="" the="" semi-annual="" period--="" (a)="" a="" person="" aboard="" a="" vessel="" for="" which="" a="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(4)="" may="" not="" retain="" shark="" of="" the="" species="" group="" for="" which="" the="" commercial="" quota="" has="" been="" reached,="" except="" as="" provided="" in="" paragraph="" (e)(3)(ii)(c)="" of="" this="" section.="" (b)="" the="" sale,="" purchase,="" trade,="" or="" barter,="" or="" attempted="" sale,="" purchase,="" trade,="" or="" barter="" of="" a="" shark="" carcass="" or="" fin="" of="" that="" species="" group="" harvested="" by="" a="" person="" aboard="" a="" vessel="" for="" which="" a="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(4)="" is="" prohibited.="" (c)="" a="" person="" aboard="" a="" charter="" vessel="" or="" headboat="" for="" which="" a="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(4)="" may="" retain,="" subject="" to="" the="" catch="" limits="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.29(b),="" shark="" of="" the="" species="" group="" for="" which="" the="" commercial="" quota="" has="" been="" reached,="" provided="" the="" vessel="" is="" [[page="" 57375]]="" operating="" as="" a="" charter="" vessel="" or="" headboat.="" however,="" the="" prohibition="" of="" paragraph="" (e)(3)(ii)(b)="" of="" this="" section="" regarding="" sale,="" purchase,="" trade,="" or="" barter,="" or="" attempted="" sale,="" purchase,="" trade,="" or="" barter,="" apply="" to="" such="" shark.="" sec.="" 630.29="" catch="" limits.="" (a)="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna--(1)="" general="" category.="" (i)="" from="" the="" start="" of="" each="" fishing="" year,="" except="" on="" designated="" restricted="" fishing="" days,="" only="" one="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" may="" be="" caught="" and="" landed="" per="" day="" from="" a="" vessel="" for="" which="" a="" general="" category="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2).="" on="" designated="" restricted="" fishing="" days,="" persons="" aboard="" such="" vessels="" may="" not="" possess,="" retain,="" or="" land="" any="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna.="" nmfs="" will="" publish="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" a="" schedule="" of="" designated="" restricted="" fishing="" days="" applicable="" for="" that="" fishing="" season.="" (ii)="" nmfs="" may="" increase="" or="" reduce="" the="" catch="" limit="" over="" a="" range="" from="" zero="" (restricted="" fishing="" days)="" to="" a="" maximum="" of="" three="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" per="" day="" per="" vessel="" based="" on="" a="" review="" of="" dealer="" reports,="" daily="" landing="" trends,="" availability="" of="" the="" species="" on="" the="" fishing="" grounds,="" and="" any="" other="" relevant="" factors,="" to="" provide="" for="" maximum="" utilization="" of="" the="" quota.="" nmfs="" will="" publish="" notification="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" of="" any="" adjustment="" in="" the="" allowable="" daily="" catch="" limit="" made="" under="" this="" paragraph="" (a)(1)(ii).="" such="" notification="" shall="" be="" filed="" at="" the="" office="" of="" the="" federal="" register="" at="" least="" 3="" calendar="" days="" prior="" to="" the="" change="" becoming="" effective.="" (iii)="" large="" medium="" and="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" may="" be="" possessed="" or="" retained="" aboard="" a="" vessel="" for="" which="" a="" general="" category="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2),="" if="" the="" amount="" does="" not="" exceed="" a="" single="" day's="" catch,="" regardless="" of="" the="" length="" of="" the="" trip,="" as="" allowed="" by="" the="" daily="" catch="" limit="" for="" general="" category="" vessels="" in="" effect="" on="" that="" day.="" (iv)="" anglers="" aboard="" vessels="" for="" which="" general="" category="" permits="" have="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" may="" possess="" school,="" large="" school,="" and="" small="" medium="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" in="" an="" amount="" not="" to="" exceed="" a="" single="" day's="" catch,="" regardless="" of="" the="" length="" of="" the="" trip,="" as="" allowed="" by="" the="" daily="" catch="" limit="" for="" the="" angling="" category="" in="" effect="" on="" that="" day.="" school,="" large="" school,="" and="" small="" medium="" bluefin="" tuna="" landed="" by="" anglers="" aboard="" vessels="" for="" which="" a="" general="" category="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" are="" counted="" against="" the="" angling="" category="" quota.="" once="" the="" applicable="" catch="" limit="" for="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" bluefin="" tuna="" is="" possessed="" or="" retained="" on="" authorized="" commercial="" fishing="" days,="" persons="" aboard="" vessels="" for="" which="" a="" general="" category="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" must="" cease="" fishing="" and="" the="" vessel="" must="" proceed="" to="" port.="" (2)="" harpoon="" boat="" category.="" vessels="" for="" which="" a="" harpoon="" boat="" category="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" may="" catch="" multiple="" giant="" bluefin="" tuna,="" but="" only="" one="" large="" medium="" bluefin="" tuna="" per="" day="" per="" vessel="" may="" be="" caught.="" (3)="" purse="" seine="" category.="" large="" medium="" bluefin="" tuna="" may="" be="" caught="" from="" a="" vessel="" for="" which="" a="" purse="" seine="" category="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2),="" provided="" that="" the="" total="" amount="" of="" large="" medium="" bluefin="" landed="" per="" trip="" does="" not="" exceed="" 15="" percent="" by="" weight="" of="" the="" total="" amount="" of="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" landed="" on="" that="" trip,="" and="" the="" total="" annual="" amount="" of="" large="" medium="" bluefin="" landed="" does="" not="" exceed="" 10="" percent="" by="" weight="" of="" the="" total="" amount="" of="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" allocated="" to="" that="" vessel="" for="" that="" fishing="" season.="" (4)="" angling="" category.="" (i)="" each="" angler="" aboard="" a="" vessel="" for="" which="" an="" angling="" category="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" may="" catch="" and="" retain="" each="" day="" no="" more="" than="" one="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" that="" may="" be="" from="" the="" school="" or="" large="" school="" size="" class.="" in="" addition="" to="" the="" per="" angler="" limits,="" one="" small="" medium="" size="" class="" bluefin="" tuna="" may="" be="" retained="" each="" day,="" per="" angling="" category="" vessel.="" (ii)="" when="" fishing="" outside="" the="" gulf="" of="" mexico,="" in="" addition="" to="" the="" daily="" catch="" limit="" for="" school,="" large="" school,="" and="" small="" medium="" bluefin="" tuna,="" a="" vessel="" for="" which="" an="" angling="" category="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" may="" catch="" and="" retain="" annually="" one="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna,="" to="" be="" counted="" against="" the="" angling="" category="" quota="" specified="" in="" accordance="" with="" sec.="" 630.28(b)(3).="" once="" the="" applicable="" catch="" limit="" for="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" bluefin="" tuna="" is="" possessed="" or="" retained="" under="" the="" angling="" category="" quota,="" fishing="" by="" persons="" aboard="" angling="" category="" vessels="" must="" cease="" and="" the="" vessel="" must="" proceed="" to="" port.="" the="" owner="" or="" operator="" of="" the="" vessel="" must="" report="" to="" the="" nearest="" nmfs="" enforcement="" office="" within="" 24="" hours="" of="" landing="" any="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" bluefin,="" and="" must="" make="" the="" tuna="" available="" to="" nmfs="" for="" inspection="" and="" attachment="" of="" a="" tag.="" no="" such="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" may="" be="" sold="" or="" transferred="" to="" any="" person="" for="" a="" commercial="" purpose,="" except="" for="" taxidermic="" purposes.="" a="" list="" of="" local="" nmfs="" enforcement="" offices="" may="" be="" obtained="" from="" the="" regional="" director.="" (iii)="" for="" vessels="" for="" which="" an="" angling="" category="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2),="" nmfs="" may="" increase="" or="" reduce="" the="" per="" angler="" catch="" limit="" for="" any="" size="" class="" bluefin="" tuna="" or="" may="" change="" the="" per="" angler="" limit="" to="" a="" per="" boat="" limit="" or="" a="" per="" boat="" limit="" to="" a="" per="" angler="" limit="" based="" on="" a="" review="" of="" daily="" landing="" trends,="" availability="" of="" the="" species="" on="" the="" fishing="" grounds,="" and="" any="" other="" relevant="" factors,="" to="" provide="" for="" maximum="" utilization="" of="" the="" quota="" spread="" over="" the="" longest="" possible="" period="" of="" time.="" nmfs="" will="" publish="" notification="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" of="" any="" adjustment="" in="" the="" allowable="" daily="" catch="" limit="" made="" under="" this="" paragraph="" (a)(4)(iii).="" such="" notification="" shall="" be="" filed="" at="" the="" office="" of="" the="" federal="" register="" at="" least="" 3="" calendar="" days="" prior="" to="" a="" change="" in="" daily="" catch="" limit="" becoming="" effective.="" (iv)="" anglers="" aboard="" vessels="" for="" which="" an="" angling="" category="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" may="" possess="" school,="" large="" school,="" and="" small="" medium="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" in="" an="" amount="" not="" to="" exceed="" a="" single="" day's="" catch,="" regardless="" of="" the="" length="" of="" the="" trip,="" as="" allowed="" by="" the="" daily="" catch="" limit="" for="" the="" angling="" category="" in="" effect="" on="" that="" day.="" (v)="" at="" any="" time="" when="" fishing="" in="" the="" gulf="" of="" mexico,="" operators="" of="" vessels="" for="" which="" angling="" category="" permits="" have="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" must="" not="" fish="" for,="" catch,="" retain="" or="" possess="" bluefin="" tuna="" except="" that="" large="" medium="" and="" giant="" bluefin="" tuna="" taken="" incidental="" to="" fishing="" for="" other="" species="" may="" be="" retained="" subject="" to="" the="" annual="" vessel="" limit="" and="" reporting="" requirement="" for="" non-commercial="" take="" of="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" as="" specified="" in="" paragraph="" (a)(4)(ii)="" of="" this="" section.="" (5)="" charter/headboat="" category.="" (i)="" anglers="" aboard="" vessels="" for="" which="" a="" charter/headboat="" category="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" are="" subject="" to="" the="" daily="" catch="" limits="" for="" school,="" large="" school,="" and="" small="" medium="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" applicable="" to="" the="" angling="" category.="" school,="" large="" school,="" and="" small="" medium="" bluefin="" tuna="" landed="" by="" anglers="" aboard="" charter/headboat="" category="" vessels="" are="" counted="" against="" the="" angling="" category="" quota.="" (ii)="" when="" the="" general="" category="" fishery="" is="" closed,="" except="" when="" fishing="" in="" the="" gulf="" of="" mexico,="" operators="" of="" vessels="" for="" which="" a="" charter/headboat="" category="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" are="" subject="" to="" the="" annual="" vessel="" limit="" and="" reporting="" requirement="" for="" non-commercial="" take="" of="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" as="" specified="" in="" paragraph="" (a)(4)(ii)="" of="" this="" section.="" such="" large="" medium="" and="" giant="" bluefin="" tuna="" landed="" by="" anglers="" aboard="" charter/headboat="" category="" vessels="" are="" counted="" against="" the="" angling="" category="" quota.="" once="" the="" applicable="" catch="" limit="" for="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" bluefin="" tuna="" is="" possessed="" or="" retained="" under="" the="" angling="" category="" quota,="" fishing="" by="" [[page="" 57376]]="" persons="" aboard="" charter/headboat="" category="" vessels="" must="" cease="" and="" the="" vessel="" must="" proceed="" to="" port.="" (iii)="" when="" commercial="" fishing="" by="" vessels="" for="" which="" general="" category="" permits="" have="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" is="" authorized,="" except="" when="" fishing="" in="" the="" gulf="" of="" mexico,="" operators="" of="" vessels="" for="" which="" a="" charter/headboat="" category="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" are="" subject="" to="" the="" daily="" catch="" limit="" in="" effect="" for="" the="" general="" category="" for="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" as="" specified="" in="" paragraph="" (a)(1)="" of="" this="" section.="" once="" the="" applicable="" catch="" limit="" for="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" bluefin="" tuna="" is="" possessed="" or="" retained="" on="" authorized="" commercial="" fishing="" days,="" persons="" aboard="" vessels="" for="" which="" charter/headboat="" category="" permits="" have="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" must="" cease="" fishing="" and="" the="" vessel="" must="" proceed="" to="" port.="" on="" authorized="" commercial="" fishing="" days,="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" bluefin="" tuna="" landed="" by="" charter/headboat="" vessels="" operating="" outside="" the="" gulf="" of="" mexico="" may="" be="" sold="" and="" are="" counted="" against="" the="" quota="" for="" the="" general="" category.="" (iv)="" anglers="" aboard="" vessels="" for="" which="" charter/headboat="" category="" permits="" have="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" may="" possess="" school,="" large="" school,="" and="" small="" medium="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" in="" an="" amount="" not="" to="" exceed="" a="" single="" day's="" catch,="" regardless="" of="" the="" length="" of="" the="" trip,="" as="" allowed="" by="" the="" daily="" catch="" limit="" for="" the="" angling="" category="" in="" effect="" on="" that="" day.="" vessels="" for="" which="" a="" charter/headboat="" category="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" may="" possess="" large="" medium="" and="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" in="" an="" amount="" not="" to="" exceed="" a="" single="" day's="" catch,="" regardless="" of="" the="" length="" of="" the="" trip,="" as="" allowed="" by="" the="" daily="" catch="" limit="" in="" effect="" on="" that="" day.="" (v)="" at="" any="" time="" when="" fishing="" in="" the="" gulf="" of="" mexico,="" operators="" of="" vessels="" for="" which="" charter/headboat="" category="" permits="" have="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" may="" not="" fish="" for,="" catch,="" retain="" or="" possess="" bluefin="" tuna="" except="" that="" large="" medium="" and="" giant="" bluefin="" tuna="" taken="" incidental="" to="" fishing="" for="" other="" species="" may="" be="" retained="" subject="" to="" the="" annual="" vessel="" limit="" and="" reporting="" requirement="" for="" non-commercial="" take="" of="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" as="" specified="" in="" paragraph="" (a)(5)(ii)="" of="" this="" section.="" (b)="" atlantic="" sharks--(1)="" applicability.="" catch="" limits="" apply="" to="" a="" person="" who="" fishes="" in="" the="" eez="" or="" possesses="" a="" shark="" in="" or="" from="" the="" eez="" aboard="" a="" vessel--="" (i)="" when="" the="" vessel="" does="" not="" have="" on="" board="" a="" permit="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(4);="" or="" (ii)="" when="" the="" vessel="" is="" operating="" as="" a="" charter="" vessel="" or="" headboat.="" for="" the="" purposes="" of="" this="" paragraph="" (b),="" a="" charter="" vessel="" or="" headboat="" for="" which="" a="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(4)="" is="" considered="" to="" be="" operating="" as="" a="" charter="" vessel="" or="" headboat="" when="" it="" carries="" a="" passenger="" who="" pays="" a="" fee="" or="" when="" there="" are="" more="" than="" three="" persons="" aboard,="" including="" operator="" and="" crew.="" (2)="" catch="" limits--(i)="" large="" coastal="" species="" and="" pelagic="" species,="" combined--four="" per="" fishing="" vessel="" per="" trip.="" (ii)="" small="" coastal="" species--five="" per="" person="" per="" day.="" (3)="" combination="" of="" catch="" limits.="" a="" person="" to="" whom="" the="" catch="" limits="" apply="" may="" not="" combine="" a="" catch="" limit="" specified="" in="" paragraph="" (b)(2)="" of="" this="" section="" with="" a="" catch="" or="" possession="" limit="" applicable="" to="" state="" waters.="" (4)="" responsibility="" for="" catch="" limits.="" the="" operator="" of="" a="" vessel="" for="" which="" the="" catch="" limits="" apply="" is="" responsible="" for="" the="" vessel="" trip="" limit="" applicable="" to="" large="" coastal="" species="" and="" pelagic="" species="" combined,="" and="" for="" the="" cumulative="" catch="" limit="" applicable="" to="" small="" coastal="" species="" based="" on="" the="" number="" of="" persons="" aboard.="" sec.="" 630.30="" catch="" and="" release.="" (a)="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna.="" (1)="" notwithstanding="" other="" provisions="" of="" this="" part,="" an="" angler="" may="" fish="" for="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" under="" a="" tag="" and="" release="" program,="" provided="" the="" angler="" tags="" all="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" so="" caught="" with="" tags="" issued="" or="" approved="" by="" nmfs="" under="" this="" section,="" and="" releases="" and="" returns="" such="" fish="" to="" the="" sea="" immediately="" after="" tagging="" and="" with="" a="" minimum="" of="" injury.="" if="" nmfs-issued="" or="" nmfs-approved="" tags="" are="" not="" on="" board="" a="" vessel,="" all="" anglers="" aboard="" that="" vessel="" are="" deemed="" to="" be="" ineligible="" to="" fish="" under="" the="" provisions="" of="" this="" section.="" (2)="" nmfs-issued="" tags,="" reporting="" cards,="" and="" detailed="" instructions="" for="" their="" use="" may="" be="" obtained="" from="" the="" cooperative="" tagging="" center="" (contact="" director,="" southeast="" fisheries="" science="" center,="" nmfs).="" tags="" obtained="" from="" sources="" other="" than="" nmfs="" may="" be="" used="" to="" tag="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna,="" provided="" the="" angler="" has="" registered="" each="" year="" with="" the="" cooperative="" tagging="" center="" and="" the="" nmfs="" program="" manager="" has="" approved="" the="" use="" of="" tags="" from="" that="" source.="" anglers="" using="" an="" alternative="" source="" of="" tags="" wanting="" to="" tag="" bluefin="" tuna="" can="" contact="" the="" director,="" southeast="" fisheries="" science="" center,="" nmfs.="" (3)="" anglers="" registering="" for="" the="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tagging="" program="" are="" required="" to="" provide="" their="" name,="" address,="" phone="" number,="" and,="" if="" applicable,="" identify="" the="" alternate="" source="" of="" tags.="" (b)="" atlantic="" yellowfin="" and="" bigeye="" tuna.="" persons="" or="" fishing="" vessels="" subject="" to="" the="" jurisdiction="" of="" the="" united="" states="" must="" release,="" in="" a="" manner="" to="" promote="" survival,="" any="" yellowfin="" tuna="" or="" bigeye="" tuna="" less="" than="" the="" minimum="" size="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.25(b)(1)="" taken="" incidental="" to="" authorized="" fishing="" in="" the="" regulatory="" area.="" (c)="" atlantic="" billfishes.="" (1)="" billfish="" harvested="" by="" gear="" other="" than="" rod="" and="" reel="" shoreward="" of="" the="" outer="" boundary="" of="" the="" eez="" must="" be="" released="" in="" a="" manner="" that="" will="" ensure="" maximum="" probability="" of="" survival.="" (2)="" billfish="" caught="" by="" a="" pelagic="" longline="" shoreward="" of="" the="" outer="" boundary="" of="" the="" eez="" must="" be="" released="" by="" cutting="" the="" line="" near="" the="" hook="" without="" removing="" the="" fish="" from="" the="" water.="" (3)="" a="" billfish="" under="" the="" minimum="" size="" limit="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.25(d),="" caught="" shoreward="" of="" the="" outer="" boundary="" of="" the="" eez,="" must="" be="" released="" by="" cutting="" the="" line="" near="" the="" hook="" without="" removing="" the="" fish="" from="" the="" water.="" (d)="" atlantic="" sharks.="" a="" shark="" that="" is="" harvested="" in="" the="" eez="" or="" harvested="" by="" a="" vessel="" for="" which="" a="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(4)="" that="" is="" not="" retained--="" (1)="" must="" be="" released="" in="" a="" manner="" that="" will="" ensure="" maximum="" probability="" of="" survival.="" (2)="" if="" caught="" by="" hook="" and="" line,="" must="" be="" released="" by="" cutting="" the="" line="" near="" the="" hook="" without="" removing="" the="" fish="" from="" the="" water.="" sec.="" 630.31="" adjustment="" of="" management="" measures.="" (a)="" annual="" specifications.="" (1)="" nmfs="" will="" annually="" establish="" or,="" as="" necessary,="" adjust="" quota="" specifications="" for="" the="" commercial="" and="" recreational="" fisheries="" for="" regulated="" species,="" other="" than="" billfishes,="" by="" publishing="" one="" or="" more="" notifications="" in="" the="" federal="" register.="" quota="" specifications="" may="" include,="" tac,="" directed="" and="" incidental="" harvest="" levels,="" catch="" limits,="" and="" allocations="" to="" gear="" categories,="" time="" periods,="" and="" management="" areas.="" specifications="" for="" each="" fishery="" must="" be="" consistent="" with="" the="" provisions="" of="" this="" section.="" (2)="" proposed="" specifications="" will="" be="" filed="" for="" publication="" with="" the="" office="" of="" the="" federal="" register="" at="" least="" 60="" days="" prior="" to="" commencement="" of="" the="" applicable="" fishing="" season,="" unless="" nmfs="" determines,="" for="" good="" cause,="" that="" a="" deviation="" from="" the="" 60-day="" schedule="" must="" occur.="" public="" comment="" will="" be="" invited="" and="" appropriate="" analyses="" will="" be="" available="" to="" the="" public="" during="" the="" comment="" period.="" (3)="" final="" annual="" quota="" specifications="" will="" be="" published="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" and="" will="" be="" effective="" upon="" filing,="" unless="" a="" later="" time="" is="" specified.="" (4)="" final="" annual="" quota="" specifications="" will="" be="" effective="" until="" the="" effective="" date="" [[page="" 57377]]="" of="" the="" subsequent="" fishing="" year's="" specifications="" as="" published="" in="" the="" federal="" register.="" (b)="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna.="" see="" secs.="" 630.20(a),="" 630.28(b),="" and="" 630.29(a).="" (c)="" atlantic="" swordfish.="" see="" sec.="" 630.28(c).="" (d)="" atlantic="" sharks.="" see="" sec.="" 630.28(d).="" in="" addition="" to="" the="" annual="" specifications="" described="" in="" paragraph="" (a)="" of="" this="" section,="" and="" in="" accordance="" with="" the="" framework="" regulatory="" adjustment="" procedures="" specified="" in="" the="" fishery="" management="" plan="" for="" atlantic="" sharks,="" nmfs="" may="" establish="" or="" modify="" for="" species="" or="" species="" groups="" in="" the="" shark="" fishery="" the="" following:="" msy,="" tac,="" quotas,="" trip="" limits,="" catch="" limits,="" size="" limits,="" the="" fishing="" year="" or="" fishing="" season,="" the="" species="" of="" sharks="" managed="" and="" the="" specification="" of="" the="" species="" groups="" to="" which="" they="" belong,="" and="" permitting="" and="" reporting="" requirements.="" sec.="" 630.32="" specifically="" authorized="" activities.="" upon="" written="" request,="" nmfs="" may="" authorize,="" for="" the="" acquisition="" of="" information="" and="" data="" and="" to="" reduce="" waste,="" activities="" otherwise="" prohibited="" by="" the="" regulations="" in="" this="" part.="" such="" activities="" may="" include,="" but="" are="" not="" limited="" to,="" scientific="" research="" for="" regulated="" species="" other="" than="" sharks,="" exempted="" fishing="" consistent="" with="" the="" provisions="" of="" 50="" cfr="" 600.745,="" or="" programs="" under="" which="" regulated="" species="" retained="" in="" contravention="" to="" otherwise="" applicable="" regulations="" may="" be="" donated="" through="" approved="" foodbank="" networks.="" such="" activities="" must="" be="" authorized="" in="" writing="" and="" will="" be="" subject="" to="" all="" conditions="" specified="" in="" the="" letter="" of="" authorization="" or="" exempted="" fishing="" permit.="" subpart="" c--restrictions="" on="" imports="" sec.="" 630.40="" species="" subject="" to="" documentation="" requirements.="" imports="" into="" the="" united="" states="" and="" exports="" or="" re-exports="" from="" the="" united="" states="" of="" all="" bluefin="" tuna="" or="" bluefin="" tuna="" products,="" regardless="" of="" ocean="" area="" of="" catch,="" are="" subject="" to="" the="" documentation="" requirements="" of="" this="" subpart.="" (a)="" documentation="" is="" required="" for="" bluefin="" tuna="" identified="" by="" the="" following="" item="" numbers="" from="" the="" harmonized="" tariff="" schedule:="" (1)="" fresh="" or="" chilled="" bluefin="" tuna,="" excluding="" fillets="" and="" other="" fish="" meat,="" no.="" 0302.39.00.20.="" (2)="" frozen="" bluefin="" tuna,="" excluding="" fillets,="" no.="" 0303.49.00.20.="" (b)="" in="" addition,="" bluefin="" tuna="" products="" in="" other="" forms="" (e.g.,="" chunks,="" fillets,="" canned)="" listed="" under="" any="" other="" item="" numbers="" from="" the="" harmonized="" tariff="" schedule="" are="" subject="" to="" the="" documentation="" requirements="" of="" this="" subpart,="" except="" that="" fish="" parts="" other="" than="" meat="" (e.g.,="" heads,="" eyes,="" roe,="" guts,="" tails)="" may="" be="" allowed="" entry="" without="" said="" statistical="" documentation.="" sec.="" 630.41="" documentation="" requirements.="" (a)="" bluefin="" tuna="" imports.="" (1)="" imports="" of="" all="" bluefin="" tuna="" products="" into="" the="" united="" states="" must="" be="" accompanied="" at="" the="" time="" of="" entry="" by="" an="" original="" completed="" approved="" bsd="" with="" the="" information="" and="" exporter's="" certification="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.42(a)="" (1)="" through="" (7).="" such="" information="" must="" be="" validated="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.42(a)(8)="" by="" a="" responsible="" government="" official="" of="" the="" country="" whose="" flag="" vessel="" caught="" the="" tuna="" (regardless="" of="" where="" the="" fish="" are="" first="" landed),="" unless="" nmfs="" has="" waived="" validation="" requirements="" for="" the="" country="" pursuant="" to="" sec.="" 630.43.="" (2)="" bluefin="" tuna="" imported="" into="" the="" united="" states="" from="" a="" country="" requiring="" a="" tag="" on="" all="" such="" tuna="" available="" for="" sale="" must="" be="" accompanied="" by="" the="" appropriate="" tag="" issued="" by="" that="" country,="" and="" said="" tag="" must="" remain="" on="" any="" tuna="" until="" it="" reaches="" its="" final="" import="" destination.="" if="" the="" final="" import="" destination="" is="" the="" united="" states,="" the="" tag="" must="" remain="" on="" the="" tuna="" until="" it="" is="" cut="" in="" to="" portions.="" if="" the="" tuna="" portions="" are="" subsequently="" packaged="" for="" domestic="" commercial="" use="" or="" export,="" the="" tag="" number="" and="" the="" issuing="" country="" must="" be="" written="" legibly="" and="" indelibly="" on="" the="" outside="" of="" the="" package.="" (3)="" dealers="" selling="" bluefin="" tuna="" that="" was="" previously="" imported="" into="" the="" united="" states="" for="" domestic="" commercial="" use="" must="" provide="" on="" the="" original="" bsd="" that="" accompanied="" the="" import="" shipment="" the="" correct="" information="" and="" importer's="" certification="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.52(a)(9).="" the="" original="" of="" the="" completed="" bsd="" must="" be="" postmarked="" and="" mailed="" by="" said="" dealer="" to="" the="" regional="" director="" within="" 24="" hours="" of="" the="" time="" the="" tuna="" was="" imported="" into="" the="" united="" states.="" (b)="" bluefin="" tuna="" exports.="" (1)="" dealers="" exporting="" bluefin="" tuna="" that="" was="" harvested="" by="" u.s.="" vessels="" and="" first="" landed="" in="" the="" united="" states="" must="" complete="" an="" original="" numbered="" bsd="" issued="" to="" that="" dealer="" by="" the="" regional="" director.="" such="" an="" individually="" numbered="" document="" is="" not="" transferable="" or="" reusable="" and="" may="" be="" used="" only="" once="" by="" the="" dealer="" to="" which="" it="" was="" issued="" to="" report="" on="" a="" specific="" export="" shipment.="" dealers="" must="" provide="" on="" the="" bsd="" the="" correct="" information="" and="" exporter="" certification="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.42(a)="" (1)="" through="" (7).="" as="" required="" under="" sec.="" 630.43,="" the="" bsd="" must="" be="" validated="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.42(a)(8)="" by="" an="" official="" of="" the="" u.s.="" government="" or,="" if="" authorized="" by="" nmfs,="" an="" official="" of="" an="" accredited="" institution.="" a="" list="" of="" such="" officials="" may="" be="" obtained="" by="" contacting="" the="" director,="" or="" the="" nearest="" nmfs="" enforcement="" office.="" a="" list="" of="" local="" nmfs="" enforcement="" offices="" can="" be="" obtained="" by="" contacting="" the="" regional="" director.="" dealers="" requesting="" government="" validation="" for="" exports="" should="" notify="" nmfs="" as="" soon="" as="" possible="" after="" arrival="" of="" the="" vessel="" to="" avoid="" delays="" in="" inspection="" and="" validation="" of="" the="" export="" shipment.="" (2)="" dealers="" re-exporting="" bluefin="" tuna="" that="" was="" previously="" imported="" into="" the="" united="" states="" must="" provide="" on="" the="" original="" bsd="" that="" accompanied="" the="" import="" shipment="" the="" correct="" information="" and="" intermediate="" importer's="" certification="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.42(a)(9).="" (3)="" dealers="" must="" submit="" the="" original="" of="" the="" completed="" bsd="" to="" accompany="" the="" shipment="" of="" bluefin="" tuna="" to="" its="" export="" or="" re-export="" destination.="" a="" copy="" of="" the="" bsd="" completed="" as="" specified="" under="" paragraph="" (b)(1)="" or="" (2)="" of="" this="" section="" must="" be="" postmarked="" and="" mailed="" by="" said="" dealer="" to="" the="" regional="" director="" within="" 24="" hours="" of="" the="" time="" the="" tuna="" was="" exported="" or="" re-exported="" from="" the="" united="" states.="" (c)="" recordkeeping.="" dealers="" must="" retain="" at="" their="" principal="" place="" of="" business="" a="" copy="" of="" each="" bsd="" required="" to="" be="" submitted="" to="" the="" regional="" director="" pursuant="" to="" this="" section="" for="" a="" period="" of="" 2="" years="" from="" the="" date="" on="" which="" it="" was="" submitted="" to="" the="" regional="" director.="" sec.="" 630.42="" contents="" of="" documentation.="" (a)="" a="" bsd,="" to="" be="" deemed="" complete,="" must:="" (1)="" have="" a="" document="" number="" assigned="" as="" prescribed="" by="" the="" country="" issuing="" the="" document.="" (2)="" state="" the="" name="" of="" the="" country="" issuing="" the="" document,="" which="" is="" the="" country="" whose="" flag="" vessel="" harvested="" the="" bluefin="" tuna,="" regardless="" of="" where="" the="" tuna="" is="" first="" landed.="" (3)="" state="" the="" name="" of="" the="" vessel="" that="" caught="" the="" fish="" and="" the="" vessel's="" registration="" number,="" if="" applicable.="" (4)="" state="" the="" name="" of="" the="" owner="" of="" the="" trap="" that="" caught="" the="" fish,="" if="" applicable.="" (5)="" state="" the="" point="" of="" export,="" which="" is="" the="" city,="" state="" or="" province,="" and="" country="" from="" which="" the="" bluefin="" tuna="" is="" first="" exported.="" (6)="" state="" the="" following="" specified="" information="" about="" the="" shipment:="" (i)="" the="" product="" type="" (fresh="" or="" frozen)="" and="" product="" form="" (round,="" gilled="" and="" gutted,="" dressed,="" fillet,="" or="" other).="" (ii)="" the="" method="" of="" fishing="" used="" to="" harvest="" the="" fish="" (e.g.,="" purse="" seine,="" trap,="" rod="" and="" reel).="" (iii)="" the="" ocean="" area="" from="" which="" the="" fish="" was="" harvested="" (western="" atlantic,="" eastern="" atlantic,="" mediterranean,="" or="" pacific).="" [[page="" 57378]]="" (iv)="" the="" weight="" of="" each="" fish="" (in="" kilograms="" for="" the="" same="" product="" form="" previously="" specified).="" (v)="" the="" identifying="" tag="" number,="" if="" landed="" by="" vessels="" from="" countries="" with="" tagging="" programs.="" (7)="" state="" the="" name="" and="" license="" number="" of,="" and="" be="" signed="" and="" dated="" in="" the="" exporter's="" certification="" block="" by,="" the="" exporter.="" (8)="" if="" applicable,="" state="" the="" name="" and="" title="" of,="" and="" be="" signed="" and="" dated="" in="" the="" validation="" block="" by,="" a="" responsible="" government="" official="" of="" the="" country="" whose="" flag="" vessel="" caught="" the="" tuna="" (regardless="" of="" where="" the="" tuna="" are="" first="" landed)="" or="" by="" an="" official="" of="" an="" institution="" accredited="" by="" said="" government,="" with="" official="" government="" or="" accredited="" institution="" seal="" affixed,="" thus="" validating="" the="" information="" on="" the="" bsd.="" (9)="" as="" applicable,="" state="" the="" name(s)="" and="" address(es),="" including="" the="" name="" of="" the="" city="" and="" state="" or="" province="" of="" import,="" and="" the="" name(s)="" of="" the="" intermediate="" country(ies)="" or="" the="" name="" of="" the="" country="" of="" final="" destination,="" and="" license="" number(s)="" of,="" and="" be="" signed="" and="" dated="" in="" the="" importer's="" certification="" block="" by,="" each="" intermediate="" and="" the="" final="" importer.="" (b)="" an="" approved="" bsd="" may="" be="" obtained="" from="" the="" regional="" director="" to="" accompany="" exports="" of="" bluefin="" tuna="" from="" the="" united="" states.="" bluefin="" tuna="" dealers="" in="" countries="" that="" do="" not="" provide="" an="" approved="" bsd="" to="" exporters="" may="" obtain="" an="" approved="" bsd="" from="" the="" regional="" director="" to="" accompany="" exports="" to="" the="" united="" states.="" (c)="" dealers="" from="" a="" country="" exporting="" bluefin="" tuna="" to="" the="" united="" states="" may="" use="" the="" approved="" bsd="" obtainable="" from="" the="" regional="" director="" or="" documents="" developed="" by="" the="" country="" of="" export,="" if="" that="" country="" submits="" a="" copy="" to="" the="" iccat="" executive="" secretariat="" and="" nmfs="" concurs="" with="" the="" iccat="" secretariat's="" determination="" that="" the="" document="" meets="" the="" information="" requirements="" of="" the="" iccat="" recommendation.="" in="" such="" case,="" nmfs="" shall="" provide="" a="" list="" of="" countries="" for="" which="" bsds="" are="" approved,="" together="" with="" examples="" of="" such="" documents="" to="" the="" appropriate="" official="" of="" the="" u.s.="" customs="" service.="" effective="" upon="" the="" date="" indicated="" in="" such="" notice="" to="" the="" u.s.="" customs="" service,="" shipments="" of="" bluefin="" tuna="" or="" bluefin="" tuna="" products="" offered="" for="" importation="" from="" said="" country(ies)="" may="" be="" accompanied="" by="" either="" that="" country's="" approved="" bsd="" or="" by="" the="" bsd="" provided="" to="" the="" foreign="" country="" exporter="" by="" the="" regional="" director.="" sec.="" 630.43="" validation="" requirements.="" (a)="" imports.="" the="" approved="" bsd="" accompanying="" any="" import="" of="" bluefin="" tuna,="" regardless="" of="" whether="" the="" issuing="" country="" is="" a="" member="" of="" iccat,="" must="" be="" validated="" by="" a="" government="" official="" from="" the="" issuing="" country,="" unless="" nmfs="" waives="" this="" requirement="" for="" that="" country="" following="" a="" recommendation="" to="" do="" so="" by="" the="" iccat="" secretariat.="" nmfs="" shall="" furnish="" a="" list="" of="" countries="" for="" which="" government="" validation="" requirements="" are="" waived="" to="" the="" appropriate="" official="" of="" the="" u.s.="" customs="" service.="" such="" list="" shall="" indicate="" the="" circumstances="" of="" exemption="" for="" each="" issuing="" country="" and="" the="" non-government="" institutions,="" if="" any,="" accredited="" to="" validate="" bsds="" for="" that="" country.="" (b)="" exports.="" the="" approved="" bsd="" accompanying="" any="" export="" of="" bluefin="" tuna="" from="" the="" united="" states="" must="" be="" validated="" by="" a="" u.s.="" government="" official,="" except="" pursuant="" to="" a="" waiver,="" if="" any,="" specified="" on="" the="" form="" and="" accompanying="" instructions,="" or="" in="" a="" letter="" to="" permitted="" dealers="" from="" the="" regional="" director.="" any="" waiver="" of="" government="" validation="" shall="" be="" consistent="" with="" iccat="" recommendations="" concerning="" validation="" of="" bsds.="" if="" authorized,="" such="" waiver="" of="" government="" validation="" may="" include:="" (1)="" exemptions="" from="" government="" validation="" for="" fish="" with="" individual="" tags="" affixed="" pursuant="" to="" sec.="" 300.26="" of="" this="" chapter="" or="" sec.="" 630.24;="" or="" (2)="" validation="" by="" non-government="" officials="" authorized="" to="" do="" so="" by="" the="" regional="" director="" under="" paragraph="" (c)="" of="" this="" section.="" (c)="" authorization="" for="" non-government="" validation.="" institutions="" or="" associations="" seeking="" authorization="" to="" validate="" bsds="" accompanying="" exports="" from="" the="" united="" states,="" must="" apply="" in="" writing="" to="" the="" regional="" director.="" a="" letter="" of="" application="" must="" indicate="" the="" procedures="" to="" be="" used="" for="" verification="" of="" information="" to="" be="" validated,="" must="" list="" the="" names,="" addresses,="" and="" telephone/fax="" numbers="" of="" individuals="" to="" perform="" validation,="" and="" must="" provide="" an="" example="" of="" the="" stamp="" or="" seal="" to="" be="" applied="" to="" the="" bsd.="" upon="" finding="" the="" institution="" or="" association="" capable="" of="" verifying="" the="" information="" required="" on="" the="" bsd,="" the="" regional="" director="" will="" issue,="" within="" 30="" days,="" a="" letter="" specifying="" the="" duration="" of="" effectiveness="" and="" conditions="" of="" authority="" to="" validate="" bsds="" accompanying="" exports="" from="" the="" united="" states.="" the="" effectiveness="" of="" such="" authorization="" will="" be="" delayed="" as="" necessary="" for="" nmfs="" to="" notify="" the="" iccat="" secretariat="" of="" non-government="" institutions="" and="" associations="" authorized="" to="" validate="" bsds.="" sec.="" 630.44="" ports="" of="" entry.="" nmfs="" shall="" monitor="" the="" importation="" of="" bluefin="" tuna="" into="" the="" united="" states.="" if="" it="" is="" determined="" that="" the="" diversity="" of="" handling="" practices="" at="" certain="" ports="" at="" which="" bluefin="" tuna="" is="" being="" imported="" into="" the="" united="" states="" allows="" for="" circumvention="" of="" the="" bsd="" requirement,="" nmfs="" may="" designate,="" after="" consultation="" with="" the="" u.s.="" customs="" service,="" those="" ports="" at="" which="" pacific="" or="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" may="" be="" imported="" into="" the="" united="" states.="" nmfs="" shall="" announce="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" the="" names="" of="" ports="" so="" designated="" and="" the="" effective="" dates="" of="" entry="" restrictions.="" sec.="" 630.45="" other="" import="" restrictions.="" (a)="" determinations.="" if="" it="" is="" determined="" that="" species="" of="" fish="" subject="" to="" regulation="" or="" under="" investigation="" by="" iccat,="" as="" the="" case="" may="" be,="" are="" ineligible="" for="" entry="" into="" the="" united="" states="" under="" 16="" u.s.c.="" 971d(c)(4)="" or="" 971d(c)(5),="" the="" assistant="" administrator,="" with="" the="" approval="" of="" the="" secretary="" and="" the="" concurrence="" of="" the="" secretary="" of="" state,="" will="" publish="" a="" finding="" to="" that="" effect="" in="" the="" federal="" register.="" effective="" upon="" the="" date="" of="" publication="" of="" such="" finding="" in="" the="" federal="" register,="" every="" shipment="" of="" fish="" in="" any="" form="" of="" the="" species="" found="" to="" be="" ineligible="" will="" be="" denied="" entry,="" unless="" it="" is="" established="" by="" satisfactory="" proof="" pursuant="" to="" paragraph="" (f)="" of="" this="" section="" that="" a="" particular="" shipment="" of="" such="" fish="" is="" not="" ineligible="" for="" entry,="" provided="" that="" entry="" will="" not="" be="" denied="" and="" no="" such="" proof="" will="" be="" required="" for="" any="" such="" shipment="" that,="" on="" the="" date="" of="" such="" publication,="" was="" in="" transit="" to="" the="" united="" states="" on="" board="" a="" vessel="" operating="" as="" a="" common="" carrier.="" (b)="" proof="" of="" admissibility.="" (1)="" for="" the="" purposes="" of="" paragraph="" (d)="" of="" this="" section="" and="" section="" 6(c)="" of="" the="" atca,="" a="" shipment="" of="" fish="" in="" any="" form="" of="" the="" species="" under="" regulation="" or="" under="" investigation="" by="" iccat="" offered="" for="" entry,="" directly="" or="" indirectly,="" from="" a="" country="" named="" in="" a="" finding="" published="" under="" paragraph="" (a)="" of="" this="" section="" is="" eligible="" for="" entry,="" if="" the="" shipment="" is="" accompanied="" by="" a="" certificate="" of="" eligibility,="" obtained="" from="" the="" regional="" director="" and="" completed="" and="" attached="" to="" the="" invoice,="" certifying="" as="" may="" be="" appropriate,="" that="" the="" fish="" in="" the="" shipment:="" (i)="" are="" not="" of="" the="" species="" specified="" in="" the="" published="" finding;="" (ii)="" are="" of="" the="" species="" named="" in="" the="" published="" finding,="" but="" were="" not="" taken="" in="" the="" regulatory="" area;="" or="" (iii)="" are="" of="" the="" species="" named="" in="" the="" published="" finding,="" but="" are="" products="" of="" an="" american="" fishery="" lawfully="" taken="" in="" conformity="" with="" applicable="" conservation="" laws="" and="" regulations="" and="" landed="" in="" the="" country="" named="" in="" the="" published="" finding="" solely="" for="" transshipment.="" (2)="" if="" the="" fish="" are="" offered="" for="" entry="" under="" paragraphs="" (b)(1)="" (i)="" or="" (ii)="" of="" this="" section,="" the="" certificate="" must="" be="" executed="" [[page="" 57379]]="" by="" a="" duly="" authorized="" official="" of="" the="" country="" named="" in="" the="" published="" finding="" and="" the="" certificate="" must="" be="" authenticated,="" on="" a="" form="" obtained="" from="" the="" regional="" director,="" with="" respect="" to="" the="" signature="" and="" official="" position="" of="" the="" person="" executing="" the="" same="" by="" a="" consular="" officer="" or="" consular="" agent="" of="" the="" united="" states.="" such="" certificate="" of="" authentication="" shall="" be="" attached="" to="" the="" certificate="" of="" eligibility.="" (3)="" if="" the="" fish="" are="" offered="" for="" entry="" under="" paragraph="" (b)(1)(iii)="" of="" this="" section,="" the="" certificate="" must="" be="" executed="" by="" a="" consular="" officer="" or="" consular="" agent="" of="" the="" united="" states="" and="" be="" accompanied="" by="" the="" declaration(s)="" required="" by="" 19="" cfr="" 10.79.="" the="" ``declaration="" of="" master="" and="" two="" members="" of="" crew="" on="" entry="" of="" products="" of="" american="" fisheries''="" required="" by="" 19="" cfr="" 10.7="" must="" contain="" a="" further="" statement="" as="" follows:="" ``we="" further="" declare="" that="" the="" said="" fish="" were="" caught="" by="" us="" in="" full="" compliance="" with="" part="" 630,="" title="" 50,="" code="" of="" federal="" regulations,="" and="" such="" other="" conservation="" laws="" and="" regulations="" as="" were="" applicable="" at="" the="" time="" the="" fishing="" operation="" was="" in="" progress.''="" (c)="" removal="" of="" import="" restrictions.="" upon="" a="" determination="" by="" the="" assistant="" administrator="" that="" the="" conditions="" no="" longer="" exist="" that="" warranted="" the="" imposition="" of="" import="" restrictions="" in="" the="" finding="" published="" pursuant="" to="" paragraph="" (a)="" of="" this="" section,="" the="" assistant="" administrator,="" with="" the="" approval="" of="" the="" secretary="" and="" the="" concurrence="" of="" the="" secretary="" of="" state,="" will="" publish="" a="" finding="" to="" such="" effect="" in="" the="" federal="" register.="" effective="" upon="" the="" date="" of="" publication="" of="" such="" finding,="" the="" prior="" existing="" import="" restrictions="" against="" the="" country="" designated="" therein="" will="" terminate,="" provided="" that="" for="" one="" year="" from="" such="" date="" of="" publication,="" every="" shipment="" of="" fish="" in="" any="" form="" that="" was="" subject="" to="" the="" finding="" published="" pursuant="" to="" paragraph="" (a)="" of="" this="" section="" will="" continue="" to="" be="" denied="" entry,="" unless="" the="" shipment="" is="" accompanied="" by="" a="" certification="" executed="" by="" an="" authorized="" official="" of="" the="" country="" of="" export="" and="" authenticated="" by="" a="" consular="" officer="" or="" consular="" agent="" of="" the="" united="" states,="" certifying="" that="" no="" portion="" of="" the="" shipment="" is="" comprised="" of="" fish="" taken="" prior="" to="" or="" during="" the="" import="" restriction.="" subpart="" d--international="" port="" inspection="" sec.="" 630.50="" basis="" and="" purpose.="" the="" regulations="" in="" this="" subpart="" have="" been="" adopted="" by="" the="" united="" states="" to="" implement="" the="" iccat="" port="" inspection="" scheme,="" to="" assist="" in="" the="" enforcement="" of="" iccat's="" recommendations.="" the="" text="" of="" the="" iccat="" port="" inspection="" scheme="" may="" be="" obtained="" from="" the="" director.="" sec.="" 630.51="" authorized="" officer.="" for="" the="" purposes="" of="" this="" subpart,="" an="" authorized="" officer="" is="" a="" person="" appointed="" by="" an="" iccat="" contracting="" party="" that="" has="" accepted="" the="" port="" inspection="" scheme="" to="" serve="" as="" an="" authorized="" inspector="" for="" iccat,="" and="" who="" possesses="" an="" identification="" card="" so="" stating.="" a="" list="" of="" such="" contracting="" parties="" may="" be="" obtained="" from="" the="" director.="" sec.="" 630.52="" vessels="" subject="" to="" inspection.="" (a)="" all="" u.s.="" fishing="" vessels,="" or="" vessels="" carrying="" regulated="" species,="" and="" their="" catch,="" gear,="" and="" records="" are="" subject="" to="" inspection="" under="" this="" subpart="" by="" an="" authorized="" officer="" when="" landing="" or="" transshipping="" regulated="" species="" or="" when="" making="" a="" port="" call="" at="" a="" port="" of="" any="" iccat="" contracting="" party="" that="" has="" accepted="" the="" port="" inspection="" scheme.="" (b)="" all="" tuna="" vessels,="" or="" vessels="" carrying="" tuna,="" that="" are="" registered="" by="" any="" of="" the="" iccat="" contracting="" parties="" that="" have="" accepted="" the="" port="" inspection="" scheme,="" and="" their="" catch,="" gear="" and="" records="" are="" subject="" to="" inspection="" under="" this="" subpart="" when="" landing="" or="" transshipping="" tuna="" or="" when="" making="" a="" port="" call="" in="" the="" united="" states.="" (c)="" a="" vessel="" entering="" a="" port="" because="" of="" force="" majeure="" shall="" be="" exempt="" from="" inspection="" by="" an="" authorized="" officer="" of="" any="" of="" the="" iccat="" contracting="" parties="" that="" have="" accepted="" the="" port="" inspection="" scheme.="" sec.="" 630.53="" reports.="" (a)="" inspections="" must="" be="" reported="" on="" a="" standardized="" iccat="" form="" and="" signed="" by="" the="" authorized="" officer.="" the="" master="" is="" entitled="" to="" add="" or="" have="" added="" to="" the="" report="" any="" observation="" that="" the="" master="" thinks="" suitable.="" if="" the="" master="" adds="" information="" to="" the="" report,="" he/she="" also="" must="" sign="" the="" report.="" the="" authorized="" officer="" will="" note="" in="" the="" vessel's="" log="" that="" the="" inspection="" has="" been="" made.="" a="" copy="" of="" the="" report="" will="" be="" given="" to="" the="" vessel="" master="" and="" a="" copy="" sent="" to="" the="" authorized="" officer's="" national="" authority.="" (b)="" the="" master="" must="" allow="" the="" authorized="" officer="" to="" examine="" any="" portion="" of="" the="" catch="" and="" gear="" and="" provide="" any="" relevant="" documents="" as="" the="" authorized="" officer="" deems="" necessary="" to="" verify="" compliance="" with="" the="" regulations="" in="" this="" part.="" subpart="" e--enforcement="" sec.="" 630.70="" prohibitions.="" in="" addition="" to="" the="" general="" prohibitions="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 600.725="" of="" this="" chapter--="" (a)="" it="" is="" unlawful="" for="" any="" person="" or="" vessel="" subject="" to="" the="" jurisdiction="" of="" the="" united="" states="" to="" do="" any="" of="" the="" following:="" (1)="" land,="" transship,="" ship,="" transport,="" purchase,="" sell,="" offer="" for="" sale,="" import,="" export,="" or="" have="" in="" custody,="" possession,="" or="" control:="" (i)="" any="" fish="" that="" the="" person="" knows,="" or="" should="" have="" known,="" was="" taken,="" retained,="" possessed,="" or="" landed="" contrary="" to="" this="" part,="" without="" regard="" to="" the="" citizenship="" of="" the="" person="" or="" registry="" of="" the="" fishing="" vessel="" that="" harvested="" the="" fish.="" (ii)="" any="" regulated="" species="" that="" was="" harvested,="" retained,="" or="" possessed="" in="" a="" manner="" contrary="" to="" the="" regulations="" of="" another="" country.="" (2)="" import="" from="" any="" country="" any="" regulated="" species="" in="" any="" form="" subject="" to="" regulation="" under="" a="" recommendation="" of="" iccat,="" or="" any="" fish="" in="" any="" form="" not="" under="" regulation="" but="" under="" investigation="" by="" iccat,="" during="" the="" period="" such="" fish="" have="" been="" denied="" entry="" under="" this="" part.="" (3)="" interfere="" with,="" delay,="" or="" prevent="" by="" any="" means,="" the="" apprehension="" of="" another="" person,="" knowing="" that="" such="" person="" has="" committed="" any="" act="" prohibited="" by="" this="" part.="" (4)="" interfere="" with,="" obstruct,="" delay,="" or="" prevent="" by="" any="" means="" an="" investigation,="" search,="" seizure,="" or="" disposition="" of="" seized="" property="" in="" connection="" with="" enforcement="" of="" the="" magnuson="" act="" or="" the="" atca.="" (5)="" falsify="" information="" required="" on="" an="" application="" for="" a="" permit="" submitted="" under="" sec.="" 630.4.="" (6)="" fish="" for,="" catch,="" possess,="" retain,="" or="" land="" atlantic="" tunas,="" swordfish,="" or="" shark="" without="" a="" valid="" permit="" required="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)="" and="" carried="" on="" board="" the="" vessel,="" unless="" specifically="" exempted.="" (7)="" engage="" in="" fishing="" with="" a="" vessel="" issued="" a="" permit="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(1),="" unless="" the="" vessel="" travels="" to="" and="" from="" the="" area="" where="" it="" will="" be="" fishing="" under="" its="" own="" power="" and="" the="" person="" operating="" that="" vessel="" brings="" any="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" under="" control="" (secured="" to="" the="" catching="" vessel="" or="" on="" board)="" with="" no="" assistance="" from="" other="" vessels,="" except="" in="" circumstances="" where="" the="" safety="" of="" the="" vessel="" or="" its="" crew="" is="" jeopardized="" or="" due="" to="" other="" circumstances="" beyond="" the="" control="" of="" the="" operator.="" (8)="" fish="" for,="" catch,="" possess,="" or="" retain="" any="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" less="" than="" the="" large="" medium="" size="" class="" from="" a="" vessel="" other="" than="" one="" issued="" a="" permit="" for="" the="" angling,="" general,="" or="" charter/headboat="" categories="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)(i),="" or="" a="" permit="" for="" the="" purse="" seine="" category="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)(i)="" as="" authorized="" under="" sec.="" 630.26(a)(2).="" (9)="" fish="" for="" or="" catch="" any="" atlantic="" tuna="" with="" gear="" that="" is="" not="" authorized="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(1)(ii)="" or="" sec.="" 630.21(b),="" or="" to="" retain="" or="" land="" atlantic="" tunas="" taken="" with="" unauthorized="" gear.="" [[page="" 57380]]="" (10)="" possess="" any="" atlantic="" tuna="" aboard="" a="" vessel="" subject="" to="" the="" jurisdiction="" of="" the="" united="" states="" that="" has="" gear="" on="" board="" that="" is="" not="" authorized="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(1)(ii)="" or="" sec.="" 630.21(b),="" unless="" authorized="" under="" sec.="" 630.31.="" (11)="" sell,="" offer="" for="" sale,="" or="" transfer="" any="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" to="" any="" person="" or="" vessel="" other="" than="" to="" a="" person="" or="" vessel="" with="" a="" dealer="" permit="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2).="" (12)="" purchase,="" receive,="" or="" transfer="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" from="" any="" person="" or="" vessel="" without="" a="" valid="" dealer="" permit="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2).="" (13)="" purchase,="" receive,="" or="" transfer="" any="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" at="" sea="" from="" a="" person="" or="" vessel="" engaged="" in="" fishing="" for="" such="" tuna="" without="" a="" valid="" dealer="" permit="" for="" buy-boat="" operations="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)(iii),="" unless="" between="" purse="" seine="" vessels="" for="" which="" permits="" have="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" as="" authorized="" under="" sec.="" 630.22(e).="" (14)="" sell,="" offer="" for="" sale,="" or="" transfer="" for="" commercial="" purposes="" any="" atlantic="" tunas="" landed="" by="" owners="" or="" operators="" of="" a="" vessel="" for="" which="" a="" permit="" has="" not="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" or="" to="" any="" person="" or="" vessel="" without="" a="" valid="" atlantic="" tunas="" dealer="" permit="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(b).="" (15)="" purchase,="" receive,="" or="" transfer="" for="" commercial="" purposes="" any="" atlantic="" tunas="" landed="" by="" owners="" or="" operators="" of="" vessels="" for="" which="" a="" permit="" has="" not="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2),="" or="" purchase,="" receive,="" or="" transfer="" for="" commercial="" purposes="" any="" atlantic="" tunas="" without="" a="" valid="" atlantic="" tunas="" dealer="" permit="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(b).="" (16)="" fish="" for,="" catch,="" possess,="" retain,="" or="" land="" atlantic="" swordfish="" without="" a="" valid="" permit="" on="" board="" a="" vessel="" when="" such="" permit="" is="" required="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(3).="" (17)="" purchase,="" sell,="" barter,="" or="" trade="" or="" attempt="" to="" purchase,="" sell,="" barter,="" or="" trade="" a="" swordfish="" taken="" by="" a="" vessel="" for="" which="" a="" permit="" has="" not="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(3)="" and="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.23(b)(3).="" (18)="" sell,="" barter,="" or="" trade="" or="" attempt="" to="" sell,="" barter,="" or="" trade="" a="" swordfish="" to="" a="" dealer="" who="" does="" not="" have="" an="" annual="" swordfish="" dealer="" permit="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(b).="" (19)="" as="" a="" dealer,="" purchase,="" barter,="" or="" trade="" or="" attempt="" to="" purchase,="" barter,="" or="" trade="" a="" swordfish="" without="" a="" dealer="" permit="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(b)="" and="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.23(b)(3).="" (20)="" purchase,="" trade,="" or="" barter,="" or="" attempt="" to="" purchase,="" trade,="" or="" barter,="" a="" shark="" from="" the="" management="" unit="" without="" an="" atlantic="" sharks="" dealer="" permit="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(b).="" (21)="" fail="" to="" display="" a="" permit,="" as="" required="" by="" sec.="" 630.4(g).="" (22)="" falsify="" or="" fail="" to="" provide="" information="" required="" to="" be="" maintained,="" submitted,="" or="" reported,="" as="" specified="" in="" this="" part.="" (23)="" refuse="" to="" provide="" information="" requested="" by="" nmfs="" personnel="" or="" anyone="" collecting="" information="" for="" nmfs,="" under="" an="" agreement="" or="" contract,="" relating="" to="" the="" scientific="" monitoring="" or="" management="" of="" tuna.="" (24)="" assault,="" impede,="" oppose,="" intimidate,="" or="" interfere="" with,="" by="" any="" means,="" nmfs="" personnel="" or="" anyone="" collecting="" information="" for="" nmfs,="" under="" an="" agreement="" or="" contract,="" relating="" to="" the="" scientific="" monitoring="" or="" management="" of="" tuna.="" (25)="" fail="" to="" make="" a="" shark="" available="" for="" inspection="" or="" provide="" data="" on="" catch="" and="" effort,="" as="" required="" by="" sec.="" 630.5(e).="" (26)="" for="" a="" dealer="" or="" any="" person="" in="" charge="" of="" any="" fishing="" vessel="" subject="" to="" the="" jurisdiction="" of="" the="" united="" states="" to="" obstruct="" or="" to="" refuse="" to="" allow="" any="" authorized="" officer="" to="" enter="" the="" dealer's="" premises="" or="" to="" board="" the="" fishing="" vessel="" to="" search="" or="" inspect="" its="" catch,="" equipment,="" books,="" documents,="" records,="" or="" other="" articles,="" or="" to="" question="" the="" persons="" in="" the="" dealer's="" premises="" or="" aboard="" the="" fishing="" vessel="" under="" the="" provisions="" of="" this="" part.="" (27)="" refuse="" to="" allow="" an="" authorized="" officer="" to="" make="" inspections="" for="" the="" purpose="" of="" checking="" any="" records="" relating="" to="" the="" catching,="" harvesting,="" landing,="" purchase,="" or="" sale="" of="" any="" atlantic="" tuna="" required="" by="" this="" part.="" (28)="" make="" any="" false="" statement,="" oral="" or="" written,="" to="" an="" authorized="" officer="" concerning="" the="" catching,="" harvesting,="" landing,="" purchase,="" sale,="" or="" transfer="" of="" any="" atlantic="" tuna.="" (29)="" refuse="" to="" permit="" access="" of="" nmfs="" personnel="" to="" inspect="" any="" records="" relating="" to,="" or="" area="" of="" custody="" of,="" any="" atlantic="" tuna.="" (30)="" falsify="" or="" fail="" to="" display="" and="" maintain="" vessel="" markings,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.6.="" (31)="" fail="" to="" embark="" an="" observer="" on="" a="" trip="" when="" selected,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.7.="" (32)="" falsify="" or="" fail="" to="" provide="" requested="" information="" regarding="" a="" vessel's="" trip,="" pursuant="" to="" any="" selection="" letter="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.7(a)(2)="" or="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.7(b)(2).="" (33)="" assault,="" resist,="" oppose,="" impede,="" harass,="" intimidate,="" or="" interfere="" with="" a="" nmfs-approved="" observer="" aboard="" a="" vessel.="" (34)="" interfere="" with="" or="" bar="" by="" command,="" impediment,="" threat,="" coercion,="" or="" refusal="" of="" reasonable="" assistance,="" an="" at-sea="" observer="" conducting="" his="" or="" her="" duties="" aboard="" a="" vessel.="" (35)="" fail="" to="" provide="" an="" observer="" with="" the="" required="" food,="" accommodations,="" access,="" and="" assistance,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.7(c).="" (36)="" fish="" for,="" catch,="" possess,="" or="" land="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" after="" fishing="" has="" been="" closed="" or="" before="" fishing="" has="" commenced="" under="" sec.="" 630.20(a),="" except="" under="" the="" provisions="" of="" sec.="" 630.30.="" (37)="" use="" or="" possess="" handline="" or="" harpoon="" flotation="" gear="" that="" is="" not="" marked="" in="" accordance="" with="" sec.="" 630.21(a),="" or="" that="" is="" marked="" with="" the="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" permit="" number="" of="" another="" vessel.="" (38)="" fish="" for="" atlantic="" swordfish="" or="" sharks="" with="" a="" drift="" gillnet="" that="" is="" 2.5="" km="" or="" more="" in="" length="" or="" possess="" a="" swordfish="" on="" board="" a="" vessel="" possessing="" such="" drift="" gillnet,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.21(c).="" (39)="" possess="" or="" retain="" a="" billfish="" by="" a="" vessel="" with="" a="" pelagic="" longline="" or="" drift="" gillnet="" on="" board="" or="" harvested="" by="" gear="" other="" than="" rod="" and="" reel,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.21(d).="" (40)="" fish="" for="" or="" catch="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" in="" a="" directed="" fishery="" with="" nets="" other="" than="" those="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.22.="" (41)="" begin="" fishing="" for="" or="" offloading="" from="" any="" purse="" seine="" vessel="" to="" which="" a="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)="" any="" atlantic="" tuna="" without="" first="" requesting="" an="" inspection="" of="" the="" vessel="" in="" accordance="" with="" sec.="" 630.22(b).="" (42)="" fish="" for,="" catch,="" possess,="" or="" land="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" in="" excess="" of="" any="" allocation="" obtained="" under="" sec.="" 630.22(c).="" (43)="" fish="" for="" or="" catch="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" in="" a="" directed="" fishery="" with="" purse="" seine="" nets="" without="" an="" allocation="" obtained="" under="" sec.="" 630.22(c).="" (44)="" fish="" for="" or="" catch="" atlantic="" tunas="" in="" a="" directed="" fishery="" with="" purse="" seine="" nets="" if="" without="" any="" remaining="" bluefin="" tuna="" allocation="" obtained="" under="" sec.="" 630.22(c).="" (45)="" for="" any="" vessel="" other="" than="" a="" vessel="" holding="" a="" purse="" seine="" permit="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2),="" to="" approach="" to="" within="" 100="" yd="" (91.5="" m)="" of="" the="" cork="" line="" of="" any="" purse="" seine="" net="" used="" by="" any="" vessel="" fishing="" for="" atlantic="" tunas,="" or="" for="" any="" such="" purse="" seine="" vessel="" to="" approach="" to="" within="" 100="" yd="" (91.5="" m)="" of="" any="" vessel,="" other="" than="" a="" purse="" seine="" vessel,="" actively="" fishing="" for="" atlantic="" tunas.="" (46)="" sell,="" offer="" for="" sale,="" purchase,="" receive="" for="" a="" commercial="" purpose,="" trade,="" or="" barter,="" or="" if="" a="" seafood="" dealer="" or="" processor="" for="" which="" a="" permit="" is="" required="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(b),="" retain="" or="" possess,="" any="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" other="" than="" a="" large="" medium="" or="" giant,="" except="" with="" documentation="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.23(c)(2).="" (47)="" transfer="" a="" swordfish="" at="" sea="" from="" or="" to="" a="" fishing="" vessel,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.23(a).="" (48)="" sell,="" purchase,="" trade,="" or="" barter,="" or="" attempt="" to="" sell,="" purchase,="" trade,="" or="" barter="" [[page="" 57381]]="" a="" swordfish="" harvested="" in="" the="" recreational="" fishery,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.23(c)(1).="" (49)="" purchase,="" barter,="" trade,="" sell,="" or="" offer="" for="" sale="" a="" billfish="" harvested="" from="" its="" management="" unit,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.23(c)(3).="" (50)="" as="" a="" dealer="" or="" seafood="" processor,="" possess="" a="" billfish="" or="" related="" species="" without="" the="" documentation="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.23(c)(3)(ii),="" or="" with="" incomplete="" or="" falsified="" documentation.="" (51)="" sell,="" trade,="" or="" barter="" or="" attempt="" to="" sell,="" trade,="" or="" barter="" a="" shark="" from="" the="" management="" unit,="" except="" as="" an="" owner="" or="" operator="" of="" a="" vessel="" with="" a="" permit,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.23(c)(1).="" (52)="" purchase,="" trade,="" or="" barter,="" or="" attempt="" to="" purchase,="" trade="" or="" barter,="" shark="" meat="" or="" fins="" from="" the="" management="" unit="" from="" an="" owner="" or="" operator="" of="" a="" vessel="" that="" does="" not="" possess="" a="" vessel="" permit,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.23(c)(1);="" or="" sell,="" trade,="" or="" barter,="" or="" attempt="" to="" sell,="" trade,="" or="" barter,="" a="" shark="" from="" the="" management="" unit,="" except="" to="" a="" dealer="" issued="" a="" permit="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(b)="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.23(c)(1).="" (53)="" sell,="" purchase,="" trade,="" or="" barter,="" or="" attempt="" to="" sell,="" purchase,="" trade,="" or="" barter,="" shark="" fins="" that="" are="" disproportionate="" to="" the="" weight="" of="" carcasses="" landed,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.23(c)(4)(i).="" (54)="" reuse="" any="" tail="" tag="" previously="" affixed="" to="" an="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" under="" sec.="" 630.24="" or="" reuse="" any="" tail="" tag="" number="" previously="" written="" on="" a="" shipping="" package="" or="" container="" as="" prescribed="" by="" that="" section.="" (55)="" remove="" any="" tag="" affixed="" to="" an="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" under="" sec.="" 630.24(c)(1)="" or="" sec.="" 630.42(a)(6)(v),="" before="" removal="" is="" allowed="" under="" sec.="" 630.24(d),="" or="" fail="" to="" write="" the="" tag="" number="" on="" the="" shipping="" package="" or="" container="" as="" prescribed="" by="" that="" section.="" (56)="" fail="" to="" inspect="" any="" vessel's="" permit="" or="" fail="" to="" affix="" immediately="" to="" any="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna,="" between="" the="" fifth="" dorsal="" finlet="" and="" the="" keel,="" an="" individually="" numbered="" tail="" tag="" when="" the="" tuna="" has="" been="" received="" for="" a="" commercial="" purpose="" or="" purchased="" by="" that="" dealer="" from="" any="" person="" or="" vessel="" having="" caught="" such="" tuna.="" (57)="" fish="" for,="" catch,="" land,="" retain,="" or="" possess="" atlantic="" yellowfin="" or="" bigeye="" tuna="" below="" the="" minimum="" size="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.25(b).="" (58)="" land="" a="" swordfish="" smaller="" than="" the="" minimum="" size="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.25(c).="" (59)="" possess="" a="" billfish="" less="" than="" the="" minimum="" size="" limit="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.25(d).="" (60)="" fail="" to="" release="" a="" billfish="" in="" the="" manner="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.30(c).="" (61)="" possess="" a="" billfish="" with="" its="" head,="" fins,="" or="" bill="" removed="" shoreward="" of="" the="" outer="" boundary="" of="" the="" eez="" or="" through="" landing,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.25(b)(4).="" (62)="" retain="" or="" land="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" in="" excess="" of="" the="" incidental="" catch="" provisions="" under="" sec.="" 630.26(a).="" (63)="" fish="" for,="" catch,="" retain="" or="" possess,="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" with="" longline="" gear,="" or="" while="" having="" longline="" gear="" on="" board,="" if="" the="" vessel="" is="" permitted="" in="" any="" category="" other="" than="" the="" longline="" category="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2)(i).="" (64)="" fail="" to="" release="" immediately="" with="" a="" minimum="" of="" injury="" any="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna,="" yellowfin="" tuna,="" or="" bigeye="" tuna="" that="" will="" not="" be="" retained.="" (65)="" fish="" for,="" catch,="" retain,="" possess="" or="" land="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" with="" longline="" gear="" except="" as="" provided="" in="" sec.="" 630.26(a)(1).="" (66)="" possess="" or="" land="" a="" swordfish="" in="" other="" than="" whole="" or="" dressed="" form,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.23(b)(3).="" (67)="" land="" or="" possess="" on="" any="" trip="" atlantic="" swordfish="" or="" sharks="" in="" excess="" the="" vessel="" trip="" limits="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.27="" (a)="" and="" (b).="" (68)="" remove="" the="" fins="" from="" a="" shark="" and="" discard="" the="" remainder,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.27(b)(2).="" (69)="" possess="" shark="" fins,="" carcasses,="" or="" parts,="" on="" board="" or="" offload="" shark="" fins="" from="" a="" fishing="" vessel,="" except="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.27(b),="" or="" possess="" shark="" carcasses="" or="" parts="" on="" board,="" or="" offload="" shark="" fins,="" carcasses,="" or="" parts,="" from="" a="" vessel,="" except="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.27(b)(2)(ii).="" (70)="" fail="" to="" release="" a="" shark="" in="" the="" manner="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.30(d).="" (71)="" fish="" for,="" catch,="" possess="" or="" retain="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" in="" excess="" of="" the="" quotas="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.28(a),="" except="" that="" fish="" may="" be="" caught="" and="" released="" under="" the="" provisions="" of="" sec.="" 630.30.="" (72)="" fish="" for="" or="" catch="" school,="" large="" school,="" or="" small="" medium="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" with="" gear="" other="" than="" hook="" and="" line="" that="" is="" held="" by="" hand="" or="" rod="" and="" reel="" made="" for="" this="" purpose,="" or="" to="" possess="" such="" fish="" taken="" with="" unauthorized="" gear.="" (73)="" sell,="" trade,="" or="" barter="" or="" attempt="" to="" sell,="" trade,="" or="" barter="" a="" shark="" harvested="" in="" the="" eez,="" except="" as="" an="" owner="" or="" operator="" of="" a="" vessel="" with="" a="" permit,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.23(c)(1).="" (74)="" during="" a="" closure="" of="" the="" drift="" gillnet="" or="" longline="" and="" harpoon="" fishery="" under="" sec.="" 630.28(e)(2)(i),="" aboard="" a="" vessel="" using="" or="" having="" on="" board="" the="" specified="" gear,="" fish="" for="" swordfish,="" or="" possess="" or="" land="" swordfish="" in="" excess="" of="" the="" bycatch="" limits,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.26(b)(1).="" (75)="" aboard="" a="" vessel="" using="" or="" having="" on="" board="" gear="" other="" than="" drift="" gillnet,="" longline,="" or="" harpoon,="" fish="" for="" swordfish,="" or="" possess="" or="" land="" swordfish="" in="" excess="" of="" the="" bycatch="" limit,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.26(b)(2).="" (76)="" during="" a="" closure="" of="" the="" bycatch="" fishery="" under="" sec.="" 630.28(e)(2)(ii),="" fish="" for,="" possess,="" or="" land="" swordfish,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.28(e)(3).="" (77)="" during="" a="" closure="" for="" a="" shark="" species="" group,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.28(e)(3)--="" (i)="" retain="" sharks="" of="" that="" species="" group="" in="" excess="" of="" the="" vessel="" trip="" limit,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.28(e)(3)(ii)(a).="" (ii)="" sell,="" purchase,="" trade,="" barter,="" or="" attempt="" to="" sell,="" purchase,="" trade,="" or="" barter="" a="" shark="" carcass="" or="" fin="" of="" the="" closed="" species="" group,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.28(e)(3)(ii)(b).="" (78)="" fish="" for,="" catch,="" or="" possess="" or="" retain="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" in="" excess="" of="" the="" catch="" limits="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.29(a),="" or="" to="" possess="" or="" retain="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" on="" designated="" restricted="" fishing="" days,="" except="" that="" fish="" may="" be="" caught="" and="" released="" under="" the="" provisions="" of="" sec.="" 630.30.="" (79)="" sell,="" offer="" for="" sale,="" or="" transfer="" to="" any="" person="" for="" a="" commercial="" purpose="" any="" large="" medium="" or="" giant="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" caught="" with="" rod="" and="" reel="" gear="" under="" sec.="" 630.29(a)="" (4)="" or="" (5).="" (80)="" fish="" for,="" catch,="" possess,="" or="" retain="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" from="" the="" gulf="" of="" mexico="" except="" as="" specified="" under="" sec.="" 630.26(a)(1)(i)="" for="" incidental="" take="" by="" longlines,="" or="" if="" taken="" incidental="" to="" recreational="" fishing="" for="" other="" species="" and="" retained="" in="" accordance="" with="" sec.="" 630.29(a)(4)(v)="" or="" sec.="" 630.29(a)(5)(v).="" (81)="" retain="" young="" school="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" for="" any="" purpose.="" (82)="" fail="" to="" cease="" fishing="" and="" return="" to="" port="" once="" the="" catch="" limit="" for="" large="" medium="" and="" giant="" bluefin="" tuna="" is="" retained="" or="" possessed="" on="" board="" vessels="" for="" which="" a="" general,="" angling,="" or="" charter/headboat="" category="" permit="" has="" been="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.4(a)(2).="" (83)="" exceed="" the="" catch="" limits="" for="" sharks,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.29(b)(1)="" through="" (3).="" (84)="" operate="" a="" vessel="" with="" a="" shark="" on="" board="" in="" excess="" of="" the="" catch="" limits,="" as="" specified="" in="" sec.="" 630.29(b)(4).="" (85)="" retain="" any="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" caught="" under="" the="" tag="" and="" release="" program="" allowed="" under="" sec.="" 630.30.="" (86)="" fish="" for,="" catch,="" possess="" or="" retain="" atlantic="" bluefin="" tuna="" with="" a="" gear="" type="" or="" in="" a="" manner="" other="" than="" specified="" in="" secs.="" 630.4(a),="" 630.28(a),="" 630.26(a),="" 630.29(a),="" and="" 630.22,="" or="" other="" than="" authorized="" under="" an="" experimental="" fishing="" exemption="" issued="" pursuant="" to="" the="" requirements="" of="" sec.="" 630.32.="" (87)="" violate="" any="" conditions="" specified="" by="" the="" director="" in="" any="" exemption="" issued="" under="" sec.="" 630.32.="" [[page="" 57382]]="" (88)="" import="" or="" attempt="" to="" import="" any="" bluefin="" tuna="" into="" the="" united="" states="" without="" an="" accompanying="" original="" form="" of="" an="" approved="" bsd="" correctly="" completed="" with="" the="" appropriate="" certification="" and="" government="" validation.="" (89)="" import="" any="" bluefin="" tuna="" into="" the="" united="" states="" from="" a="" country="" that="" requires="" all="" such="" tuna="" to="" be="" tagged,="" without="" said="" tag="" accompanying="" the="" bluefin="" tuna.="" (90)="" remove="" a="" tag="" from="" any="" bluefin="" tuna="" imported="" into="" the="" united="" states="" accompanied="" by="" a="" tag,="" prior="" to="" its="" being="" cut="" into="" portions="" for="" a="" destination="" in="" the="" united="" states="" or="" for="" export.="" (91)="" fail="" to="" write="" legibly="" and="" indelibly="" the="" tag="" number="" and="" the="" issuing="" country="" on="" the="" outside="" of="" any="" package="" containing="" a="" part="" or="" parts="" of="" a="" bluefin="" tuna="" that="" was="" imported="" into="" the="" united="" states="" accompanied="" by="" said="" tag.="" (92)="" write="" false="" information="" on="" or="" modify="" any="" information="" previously="" written="" on="" any="" bsd="" required="" by="" this="" part="" or="" to="" validate="" such="" document,="" if="" not="" authorized="" to="" do="" so="" by="" the="" regional="" director.="" (93)="" reuse,="" or="" transfer="" to="" another="" dealer,="" any="" numbered="" bsd="" issued="" to="" a="" dealer="" under="" this="" part.="" (94)="" fail="" to="" provide="" in="" a="" timely="" manner="" any="" originals="" or="" copies="" of="" bsds="" required="" to="" be="" submitted="" to="" the="" regional="" director="" pursuant="" to="" sec.="" 630.41.="" (95)="" fail="" to="" maintain="" copies="" of="" completed="" bsds="" as="" required="" under="" sec.="" 630.41.="" (96)="" export="" or="" re-export="" from="" the="" united="" states="" any="" bluefin="" tuna="" without="" an="" accompanying="" original="" approved="" bsd="" correctly="" completed="" with="" the="" appropriate="" certification="" and,="" if="" applicable,="" validated="" by="" a="" designated="" official="" of="" the="" u.s.="" government="" or="" an="" official="" of="" an="" institution="" authorized="" by="" the="" regional="" director="" pursuant="" to="" sec.="" 630.43(c)="" to="" validate="" such="" documents.="" (97)="" import="" any="" bluefin="" tuna="" in="" a="" manner="" inconsistent="" with="" any="" ports="" of="" entry="" designated="" by="" nmfs="" pursuant="" to="" sec.="" 630.44.="" (98)="" land="" any="" atlantic="" tuna="" in="" forms="" other="" than="" round="" or="" eviscerated="" with="" the="" head="" and="" fins="" removed,="" except="" that="" one="" pectoral="" fin="" and="" the="" tail="" must="" remain="" attached.="" (99)="" fail="" to="" file="" reports="" or="" follow="" procedures="" required="" by="" this="" section,="" tamper="" with="" or="" remove="" an="" official="" seal,="" or="" alter="" a="" fishing="" vessel's="" log="" by="" any="" person="" or="" fishing="" vessel="" subject="" to="" the="" jurisdiction="" of="" the="" united="" states="" within="" the="" meaning="" of="" sec.="" 630.7.="" (100)="" fail="" to="" comply="" with="" the="" conditions="" or="" requirements="" specified="" in="" any="" letter="" of="" authorization="" issued="" in="" accordance="" with="" sec.="" 630.32.="" (b)="" it="" is="" unlawful="" for="" any="" person="" subject="" to="" the="" jurisdiction="" of="" the="" united="" states="" to="" violate="" any="" other="" provision="" of="" this="" part,="" the="" atca,="" the="" magnuson="" act,="" or="" any="" other="" rules="" promulgated="" under="" the="" atca="" or="" the="" magnuson="" act.="" sec.="" 630.71="" facilitation="" of="" enforcement.="" see="" sec.="" 600.730="" of="" this="" chapter.="" sec.="" 630.72="" penalties.="" (a)="" general.="" see="" sec.="" 600.735="" of="" this="" chapter.="" (b)="" civil="" procedures="" for="" atlantic="" tunas.="" in="" addition="" to="" the="" provisions="" of="" 15="" cfr="" part="" 904--="" (1)="" because="" of="" the="" perishable="" nature="" of="" tuna="" when="" not="" processed="" otherwise="" than="" by="" chilling="" or="" freezing,="" authorized="" officers="" may="" cause="" to="" be="" sold,="" for="" not="" less="" than="" its="" reasonable="" market="" value,="" unchilled="" or="" unfrozen="" tunas="" that="" may="" be="" seized="" and="" forfeited="" under="" the="" atca="" and="" this="" part.="" (2)="" the="" proceeds="" of="" any="" sale="" made="" under="" paragraph="" (b)(1)="" of="" this="" section="" must="" be="" remitted="" to="" the="" regional="" director.="" the="" regional="" director="" will="" deposit="" and="" retain="" the="" proceeds="" in="" the="" suspense="" account="" of="" nmfs,="" after="" deducting="" the="" reasonable="" cost="" of="" the="" sale,="" if="" any,="" pending="" judgement="" of="" the="" court="" or="" other="" disposition="" of="" the="" case.="" [fr="" doc.="" 96-28252="" filed="" 10-31-96;="" 10:19="" am]="" billing="" code="" 3510-22-p="">