NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that it is seeking information from 2022, 2023, and/or 2024 regarding nations or entities that have competency to enter into international fishery management agreement that are engaged in illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing or have vessels engaged in IUU fishing, fishing activities or practices that result in the bycatch of protected living marine resources of any nation, or fishing activities that target or incidentally catch sharks. Comments are due by Tuesday, Dec. 31, with a preferred deadline of Tuesday, Oct. 1.
NMFS noted that information received will be reviewed and may be used for the purpose of identifying nations or entities pursuant to the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act, which requires a biennial report to Congress on IUU fishing. The last such report was submitted to Congress in August 2023.
