Fishing Restrictions in the Longline and Purse Seine Fisheries in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in 2009 – 2011

• Final Rule **Effective Immediately**
  
  This final rule implements a decision of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and satisfies U.S. obligations as a Contracting Party to the 1949 Convention for the Establishment of an Inter-American Tropical Tuna and as a Member of the IATTC. For details on the IATTC resolution being implemented, see the IATTC Resolution on a Multiannual Program for the Conservation of Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in 2009-2011 (Resolution C-09-01).

• Background on the Convention and the IATTC is available on the IATTC’s website.

Final Rule, including Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (November 23, 2009)

Environmental Assessment, including Regulatory Impact Review (November 2009)

Finding of No Significant Impact (November 11, 2009)

Compliance Guide for Purse Seine Vessels (November 2009)

Compliance Guide for Longline Vessels (November 2009)

Proposed Rule (October 19, 2009)

• Bigeye Tuna Catch in the IATTC Convention Area by Longline Vessels Greater than 24 Meters in Length (Updated with data through November 18, 2011)

• 2011 recent estimated bigeye tuna catch: 293 metric tons.

In calculating the estimated catch, we used logbook catch data provided by relevant U.S. longline vessels to NMFS so far this year. These data do not include fishing activity for which logbooks have not yet been received and compiled by NMFS (for example, fishing trips still underway or just completed). Logbook data on the number of bigeye tuna kept were converted to estimates of catch in metric tons using information on the long-term average weight of the bigeye tuna caught in the IATTC Convention Area and landed in Hawaii or California in previous years.

11/23/11