ÿWPC÷ —t¹ÎùŽ ŒY2@tHø¶jéø¨ õ  ß‘çPµH¿­Œ× ôÞûµRšKªÿ¯(.·?è>­÷—2’»¬‰¿^¯]ÐP;(pítÛããPÃe  ”YíSS×t~iÅŸÝÌQˆàÕžÆ`º<ëé¹@ƒ R0¡_N:1ÙÔÀïMÙÏ E™Ž´uÖº R§Ë+}`®Î–¾&Õ„„©Ì}(»øMžqK§*=N…xVrQªéû°&Ôx\z3"?«°2øcj»w ‹í]-R›rÐ}2|íS¯ß¥ÈÜŠ7°H prþ0ë82Á^È T¾0áií![[ñ™É W_ò‰^>óZõéÍ<¥‰x²|~sÎæåé/è|eNeèIQ°’”úÓq™ƒèsÓñïÀâV„µí§¿Œ&N§™_BéN±ÂzªÛñ6zg¤­’óTPLœ.%1},…hv“Iâ$„‹ÕýàOzño¾{væ:´·íΫG.0:ÈÔq.ZJ®úú­—àuo.·* ¶ô™ÂSŸ Â¿^cP Y­+µô=iØ„›®¶…CuI”šXB¬# ³N„ëqªïäDË& À%œuÎO#ÁàUN¡ %ï 0:õU://^ iwu4yœ mžNµµU @·˜HP LaserJet 8000 Series PCL 6ÈÈÈÈÈÈÈÈ0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$¡¡ÔUSUS.,Ô.ô\  `‹"TimesNewRomanl€Ÿ-â ¥Y‹-ê:i¢Ø+003|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÌÆC Z‹(Times New Roman Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôò òÓ  ÓÔ‡XöÈXXXÔÑ8€öÈXdìdÈ8ÑJANUARY€2002„DECEMBER€2002€U.S.€FISHERIES€Ô_ÔBYCATCHÔ_Ô€REDUCTIONÐ ° ÐSTANDARDS€AND€MEASURES€RELEVANT€TO€SECTION€202(h)€OF€THEÐ œì ÐÔ_ÔMAGNUSONÔ_Ô„STEVENS€FISHERY€CONSERVATION€AND€MANAGEMENT€ACTó óÐ ˆØ ÐÌÌÓ  ÓSection€202(h)(1)€of€the€Ô_ÔMagnusonÔ_Ô„Stevens€Fishery€Conservation€and€Management€Act€(Act)Ð L œ Ðstates€that€the€Secretary€of€State,€in€cooperation€with€the€Secretary€of€Commerce,€ð ðshall€seek€toÐ 8 ˆ Ðsecure€an€international€agreement€to€establish€standards€and€measures€for€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€reduction€thatÐ $ t Ðare€comparable€to€the€standards€and€measures€applicable€to€United€States€fishermen€for€suchÐ  ` Ðpurposes€in€any€fishery€regulated€pursuant€to€this€Act€for€which€the€Secretary€[of€Commerce],€inÐ ü L  Ðconsultation€with€the€Secretary€of€State,€determines€that€such€an€international€agreement€isÐ è 8  Ðnecessary€and€appropriate.ððÐ Ô$  ÐÌSection€202(h)(3)€of€the€Act€requires€that€the€Secretary€of€Commerce,€in€consultation€with€theÐ ¬ü  ÐSecretary€of€State,€submit€annually€to€the€Committee€on€Commerce,€Science,€and€TransportationÐ ˜è  Ðof€the€Senate€and€the€Committee€on€Resources€of€the€House€of€Representatives€a€reportÐ „Ô  Ðdescribing€actions€taken€regarding€potential€international€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€agreements€pursuant€to€SectionÐ pÀ Ð202(h)(1)€of€the€Act.€€The€National€Marine€Fisheries€Service€(Ô_ÔNMFSÔ_Ô)€has€reviewed€managementÐ \¬ Ðmeasures€for€January€2002€through€December€2002€under€all€approved€and€implemented€fisheryÐ H˜ Ðmanagement€plans€that€address€fish€stocks€also€harvested€by€foreign€fishermen€to€identifyÐ 4„ Ðrelevant€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€standards€and€measures.€€A€description€of€these€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€standards€and€measuresÐ  p Ðby€region,€an€update€on€initiatives€identified€in€previous€reports,€and€Ô_ÔNMFSÔ_Ô€conclusions€on€theÐ  \ Ðnecessity€and€appropriateness€of€seeking€international€agreements€establishing€comparableÐ øH Ðstandards€and€measures€follow.€€Ð ä4 ÐÌòòNORTHEAST€REGIONóó€Ð ¼  ÐÌNo€new€measures€specifically€to€reduce€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€were€implemented€in€2002.Ð ”ä ÐÌòòSOUTHEAST€REGIONóó€Ð l¼ ÐÌNo€new€measures€specifically€to€reduce€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€were€implemented€in€2002.Ð D!” Ѐ€€€€€€€€Ð 0"€  ÐòòATLANTIC€HIGHLY€MIGRATORY€SPECIESóóÐ #l! ÐÌIn€addition€to€the€closed€areas€(areas€of€South€Atlantic€Bight,€Gulf€of€Mexico,€and€off€NewÐ ô$D # ÐJersey),€observer€coverage,€reporting€requirements,€dead€discard€accounting,€and€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€limitsÐ à%0!$ Ðalready€in€place€for€U.S.€fishermen€(see€previous€report€for€full€descriptions€of€these€measures),Ð Ì&"% Ðthe€United€States€has€implemented€new€measures€to€reduce€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€in€Atlantic€HMS€fisheries.€Ð ¸'#& ÐThese€measures€include:Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌòòSea€turtle€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€reductionóó€€New€information€on€the€population€status€has€led€Ô_ÔNMFSÔ_Ô€toÐ |*Ì%) Ðconclude€that€continued€operation€of€the€Atlantic€pelagic€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€fishery€jeopardizes€endangeredÐ h+¸&* Ðleatherback€and€threatened€loggerhead€sea€turtles.€€Accordingly,€per€the€requirements€of€a€Ð ° ÐBiological€Opinion€(June€2001)€and€a€final€rule€(67€FR€45393045401),€Ô_ÔNMFSÔ_Ô€has€closed€theÐ œì ÐGrand€Banks€fishing€area€to€U.S.€fishermen.€€The€Grand€Banks€has€traditionally€been€an€area€ofÐ ˆØ Ðhigh€swordfish€catch€as€well€as€high€sea€turtle€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô.€€Approximately€20€percent€of€U.S.€landedÐ tÄ Ðswordfish€has€been€caught€on€the€Grand€Banks.€€Closure€of€the€Grand€Banks€should€decrease€seaÐ `° Ðturtle€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€by€approximately€60€to€75€percent.€€The€only€pelagic€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€fishing€by€U.S.Ð L œ Ðfishing€vessels€currently€allowed€in€the€Grand€Banks€is€under€an€experiment€designed€to€testÐ 8 ˆ Ðfishing€techniques€that€will€reduce€interactions€with€sea€turtles.€€Several€other€foreign€countriesÐ $ t Ðfish€on€the€Grand€Banks,€which€is€in€international€waters.Ð  ` ÐÌIn€addition€to€the€closure€of€the€Grand€Banks,€all€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€fishermen€are€required€to€carry€and€useÐ è 8  Ðline€clippers€and€Ô_ÔdipnetsÔ_Ô€to€disentangle,€and€follow€specific€handling€and€release€techniques€toÐ Ô$  Ðensure€survivability€of,€sea€turtles€caught€incidentally€to€fishing€operations.€€Ð À  ÐÌIn€support€of€its€domestic€actions,€the€United€States€has€been€pursuing€action€relative€to€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_ÔÐ ˜è  Ðreduction€measures€within€the€International€Commission€for€the€Conservation€of€Atlantic€TunasÐ „Ô  Ð(Ô_ÔICCATÔ_Ô).€€Ô_ÔICCATÔ_Ô€is€the€international€body€charged€with€coordinating€the€management€of€highlyÐ pÀ Ðmigratory€species€throughout€the€Atlantic€Ocean€and€adjacent€seas.€€At€the€2002€Ô_ÔICCATÔ_Ô€meeting,Ð \¬ Ðthe€United€States€pursued€measures€for€improved€data€collection€with€respect€to€seabirds€and€seaÐ H˜ Ðturtles.€€Regarding€sea€turtles,€the€United€States,€Brazil,€Canada,€and€Japan€submitted€a€writtenÐ 4„ Ðstatement€to€the€Commission€highlighting€the€seriousness€of€this€conservation€issue€andÐ  p Ðrequesting€assistance€from€other€parties€in€addressing€it,€including€cooperating€with€otherÐ  \ Ðrelevant€international€organizations.€€Related€toÔ#†XöÈXXXöÈL#ÔÔ‡XöÈXXXöÈÔ€seabirds,€Brazil,€Japan,€and€the€United€StatesÐ øH Ðsubmitted€a€proposal€to€collect€and€provide€to€Ô_ÔICCATÔ_Ôððs€scientific€committee€information€onÐ ä4 Ðinteractions€with€seabirds€in€fisheries€under€the€purview€of€Ô_ÔICCATÔ_Ô.€€The€proposal€concerningÐ Ð  Ðseabirds€was€adopted€at€the€meeting,€but€the€sea€turtle€proposal€was€not.€€The€sea€turtle€proposalÐ ¼  Ðmay€be€circulated€for€a€mail€vote€prior€to€the€2003€meeting.€€If€it€is€not€circulated€or€adopted€viaÐ ¨ø Ða€mail€vote,€the€United€States€will€likely€resubmit€it€at€next€yearððs€meeting.Ð ”ä ÐÌòòShark€finning€prohibitionóó€€In€December€2000,€the€President€of€the€United€States€signed€into€lawÐ l¼ Ðthe€Shark€Finning€Prohibition€Act,€which€bans€the€practice€of€removing€the€fins€from€a€shark€andÐ X ¨ Ðdiscarding€the€carcass.€€The€Act€is€intended€to€minimize€waste€and€mortality€of€shark€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô.€€InÐ D!” ÐFebruary€2002,€Ô_ÔNMFSÔ_Ô€published€a€final€rule€(67€FR€6194„6202,€February€11,€2002)Ô#†XöÈXXXöÈÎ#ÔÔ‡XöÈXXXöÈÔ€to€prohibitÐ 0"€  Ðpersons€onboard€any€domestic€vessel€and€foreign€fishing€vessels€from€engaging€in€shark€finningÐ #l! Ðand€prohibit€landing€of€shark€fins€without€the€corresponding€carcasses€by€domestic€and€foreignÐ $X" Ðfishing€vessels.€€Ð ô$D # ÐÌòòNORTHWEST€REGIONó󀀀РÌ&"% ÐÌIn€March€2002,€Ô_ÔNMFSÔ_Ô€implemented€a€final€rule€for€its€groundfish€annual€specifications€andÐ ¤(ô#' Ðmanagement€measures.òòóó€€This€regulatory€package€notably€revised€the€Pacific€Fishery€ManagementÐ )à$( ÐCouncilððs€(Pacific€Councilððs)€approach€to€managing€of€fisheries€to€reduce€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€and€discard€ofÐ |*Ì%) ÐÔ_ÔoverfishedÔ_Ô€groundfish€species.€€This€new€approach€calculated€the€co„occurrence€of€overfishedÐ h+¸&* Ðspecies€taken€in€fisheries€for€more€abundant€stocks.€€In€analyzing€these€co„occurrences,€analystsÐ ° Ðfound€seasonal€variations€in€the€rates€at€which€Ô_ÔoverfishedÔ_Ô€species€were€taken€in€fisheries€for€moreÐ œì Ðabundant€species.€€The€Pacific€Council€then€used€this€co„occurrence€analysis€to€set€trip€limits€andÐ ˆØ Ðother€management€measures€such€that€the€groundfish€fisheries€had€more€access€to€abundantÐ tÄ Ðstocks€during€periods€when€Ô_ÔoverfishedÔ_Ô€species€co„occurrence€rates€were€low.€€Further,€the€co„Ð `° Ðoccurrence€ratios€were€used€to€guide€the€Pacific€Councilððs€recommendations€during€the€year€soÐ L œ Ðthat€no€changes€to€management€measures€would€result€in€increased€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€and/or€discard€ofÐ 8 ˆ ÐÔ_ÔoverfishedÔ_Ô€species.Ô#†XöÈXXXöÈÃ#ÔòòóóÐ $ t ÐÌIn€May€2002,€Ô_ÔNMFSÔ_Ô€implemented€a€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€allowance€for€Pacific€halibut€in€the€commercial,Ð ü L  Ðlimited€entry€primary€Ô_ÔsablefishÔ_Ô€fishery€in€Federal€waters€between€the€U.S./CanadaÔ‡XöÈXXXöÈÔ€border€and€Pt.Ð è 8  ÐÔ_ÔChehalisÔ_Ô,€Washington€(46ð$ð€53'€18"€N.€latitude).€€Retention€of€incidental€halibut€caught€in€theÐ Ô$  Ðprimary€Ô_ÔsablefishÔ_Ô€fishery€is€only€allowable€when€the€overall€Washington,€Oregon,€CaliforniaÐ À  Ðtotal€allowable€catch€for€Pacific€halibut€is€above€900,000€lb€(408.2€mt,)€which€it€was€in€bothÐ ¬ü  Ð2001€and€2002.€€For€2002,€a€quota€of€88,389€lb€of€halibut€was€allocated€to€the€limited€entryÐ ˜è  Ðprimary€Ô_ÔsablefishÔ_Ô€fishery€as€a€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€allowance.€€The€primary€Ô_ÔsablefishÔ_Ô€season€for€2002€wasÐ „Ô  Ðfrom€April€1€„€October€31,€2002,€although€incidental€halibut€retention€was€not€available€untilÐ pÀ ÐMay€,€2002.€€Properly€licensed€vessels€were€allowed€to€retain€up€to€150€lb€of€dressed€weightÐ \¬ Ð(headed„and€gutted)€halibut€per€1,000€lb€of€dressed€weight€Ô_ÔsablefishÔ_Ô,€plus€up€to€two€additionalÐ H˜ Ðhalibut€per€fishing€trip.€Ð 4„ Ѐ€€€€€€Ð  p ÐÔ#†XöÈXXXöÈŠ'#ÔÔ‡XöÈXXXöÈÔIn€September€2002,€Ô_ÔNMFSÔ_Ô€implemented€new€depth„based€management€measures€in€the€PacificÐ  \ ÐCoast€groundfish€fishery€for€September„December€2002.€€These€depth„based€managementÐ øH Ðmeasures€are€designed€to€allow€the€harvest€of€healthy€groundfish€stocks€while€protecting€areasÐ ä4 Ðwhere€Ô_ÔoverfishedÔ_Ô€species€are€commonly€found.€€For€example,€in€response€to€higher€than€expectedÐ Ð  Ðlandings€of€Ô_ÔdarkblotchedÔ_Ô€rockfish,€an€Ô_ÔoverfishedÔ_Ô€species,€during€the€first€few€months€of€2002,€theÐ ¼  Ðlimited€entry€trawl€fishery€north€of€40ð$ð10'€N.€latitude€closed€on€September€1,€2002.€€At€its€JuneÐ ¨ø Ð17€„€21,€2002,€meeting,€California,€the€Pacific€Council€felt€there€was€an€economic€need€to€keepÐ ”ä Ðthe€limited€entry€trawl€fishery€open€during€September€and€requested€that€Ô_ÔNMFSÔ_Ô€establish€newÐ €Ð Ðdepth„based€management€measures€via€emergency€Ô_ÔrulemakingÔ_Ô.€€This€emergency€rule€establishesÐ l¼ Ða€Ô_ÔdarkblotchedÔ_Ô€rockfish€conservation€area€(Ô_ÔDBCAÔ_Ô)€extending€from€the€U.S./Canada€border€toÐ X ¨ Ð40ð$ð10'€N.€latitude€and€between€approximately€100€fathoms€and€250€fathoms.€€This€emergencyÐ D!” Ðrule€maintains€the€closure€to€trawling€with€groundfish€gear€where€Ô_ÔdarkblotchedÔ_Ô€rockfish€areÐ 0"€  Ðcommonly€found,€but€allows€limited€entry€trawl€access€to€healthy€deepwater€groundfish€(seawardÐ #l! Ðof€250€fathoms)€and€Ô_ÔnearshoreÔ_Ô€groundfish€(shoreward€of€100€fathoms)€stocks€outside€of€theÐ $X" ÐÔ_ÔDBCAÔ_Ô.Ô‡ô²’òXXöÈÔÔ#†ô²’òòô²’Ž,#ÔÔ‡ô²’òòô²’ÔÐ ô$D # ÐÔ#†XöÈXòô²’>4#ÔÔ#†XöÈXXXöÈ€4#ÔÔ‡XöÈXXXöÈÔÌThroughout€2002,€Ô_ÔNMFSÔ_Ô€has€also€supported€a€number€of€exempted€fishing€permits€(Ô_ÔEFPsÔ_Ô)€withÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€goal€of€these€Ô_ÔEFPsÔ_Ô€being€used€to€develop€fishing€technologies€that€can€be€applied€on€a€fleet„Ð ¸'#& Ðwide€basis€to€minimize€the€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€of€Ô_ÔoverfishedÔ_Ô€species.€€These€Ô_ÔEFPsÔ_Ô€testÔ#†XöÈXXXöÈú4#ÔÔ‡XöÈXXXöÈÔ€fishing€strategiesÐ ¤(ô#' Ðand/or€gear€types€in€an€effort€to€harvest€healthy€groundfish€stocks€while€minimizing€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€ofÐ )à$( ÐÔ_ÔoverfishedÔ_Ô€species.€€Additionally,€many€of€the€Ô_ÔEFPsÔ_Ô€have€full€retention€programs€that€allow€Ô#†XöÈXXXöÈ+7#ÔÔ‡XöÈXXXöÈÔÐ |*Ì%) ÐÔ#†XöÈXXXöÈÅ8#ÔÔ‡XöÈXXXöÈÔoverages€to€be€forfeited€to€the€states€for€charitable€donations.€Ô#†XöÈXXXöÈ9#ÔÔ‡XöÈXXXöÈÔÐ h+¸&* ÐÔ#†XöÈXXXöÈŸ9#ÔÔ‡XöÈXXXöÈÔòòSOUTHWEST€REGIONóóÐ ° ЀÌÔ#†XöÈXXXöÈö9#ÔIn€June€2002,€Ô_ÔNMFSÔ_Ô€issued€a€final€rule€implementing€a€regulatory€amendment€under€the€FisheryÐ ˆØ ÐManagement€Plan€for€the€Pelagic€Fisheries€of€the€Western€Pacific€Region€intended€to€minimizeÐ tÄ Ðor€prevent€injury€to€and€mortality€of€sea€turtles€accidentally€caught€by€hook„and„line€fishing.€€Ð `° ÐThe€intent€of€the€rule€is€to€reduce€interactions€between€endangered€and€threatened€sea€turtles€andÐ L œ Ðpelagic€fishing€gear€and€to€mitigate€the€harmful€effects€of€interactions€that€occur.€€The€ruleÐ 8 ˆ Ðapplies€to€the€owners€and€operators€of€all€vessels€fishing€for€pelagic€species€under€FederalÐ $ t Ðwestern€Pacific€limited€access€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€permits€(Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€vessels)€within€the€U.S.€exclusiveÐ  ` Ðeconomic€zone€(Ô_ÔEEZÔ_Ô)€and€the€€high€seas€around€Hawaii,€as€well€as€those€fishing€for€pelagicÐ ü L  Ðspecies€with€other€types€of€hook„and„line€gear€(non„Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€pelagic€vessels)€within€the€Ô_ÔEEZÔ_ÔÐ è 8  Ðaround€Hawaii,€American€Samoa,€Guam,€the€Commonwealth€of€the€Northern€Mariana€Islands,Ð Ô$  ÐMidway,€Johnston€and€Palmyra€Atolls,€Ô_ÔKingmanÔ_Ô€Reef,€and€Wake,€Jarvis,€Baker,€and€Ô_ÔHowlandÔ_ÔÐ À  ÐIslands€(western€Pacific€region).€€This€rule:€1)€prohibits€targeting€swordfish€north€of€the€equatorÐ ¬ü  Ðby€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€vessels;€2)€closes€all€fishing€to€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€vessels€during€April€and€May€in€waters€southÐ ˜è  Ðof€the€Hawaiian€Islands€(from€15ð$ð€N.€latitude€to€the€equator,€and€from€145ð$ð€W.€long.€to€180ð$ðÐ „Ô  Ðlong.);€3)€prohibits€the€landing€or€possession€of€more€than€10€swordfish€per€fishing€trip€byÐ pÀ ÐÔ_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€vessels€fishing€north€of€the€equator;€4)€allows€the€re„registration€of€vessels€to€HawaiiÐ \¬ ÐÔ_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€limited€access€permits€only€during€the€month€of€October;€5)€requires€all€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€vesselÐ H˜ Ðoperators€to€annually€attend€a€protected€species€workshop;€and€6)€requires€utilization€of€sea€turtleÐ 4„ Ðhandling€and€resuscitation€measures€on€both€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€vessels€and€non„Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€pelagic€vesselsÐ  p Ðusing€hook„and„line€gear.€€Ð  \ ÐÌÔ‡XöÈXXXöÈÔòòALASKA€REGIONóó€Ð ä4 ÐÌÔ#†XöÈXXXöÈE#ÔNo€new€measures€specifically€to€reduce€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€of€salmon€or€other€prohibited€species€wereÐ ¼  Ðimplemented€in€2002.Ð ¨ø ÐÌThere€are€no€foreign€fisheries€operating€on€the€same€stocks€of€fish€that€the€Alaska€Region€isÐ €Ð Ðresponsible€for€managing€under€the€Act.€€Arguably,€pollock€in€the€Bering€Sea€is€harvested€byÐ l¼ ÐU.S.€fishermen€in€the€U.S.€Ô_ÔEEZÔ_Ô€and€also€by€foreign€fishermen€in€the€ð ðdoughnut€holeðð€and€inÐ X ¨ ÐRussian€waters€in€the€western€Bering€Sea.€€Some€would€argue€that€the€ð ðdoughnut€holeðð€stock€ofÐ D!” Ðpollock€is€different€from€that€in€the€U.S.€Ô_ÔEEZÔ_Ô.€€Regardless,€€U.S.€€pollock€fishermen€are€obligedÐ 0"€  Ðto€comply€with€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€restriction€measures€prohibiting€excessive€harvests€of€herring,€salmon,Ð #l! Ðcrab,€and€halibut.€€Of€these€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€species,€only€salmon€could€likely€range€far€enough€west€to€beÐ $X" Ðpossibly€taken€as€incidental€catch€in€foreign€fisheries€for€pollock.Ð ô$D # ÐÔ‡XöÈXXXöÈÔÌòòON„GOING€ACTIVITIESóóÐ Ì&"% ÐÌIn€the€report€covering€the€period€September€2000„December€2001,€Ô_ÔNMFSÔ_Ô€concluded,€and€theÐ ¤(ô#' ÐDepartment€of€State€concurred,€that€pursing€international€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€agreements€pursuant€to€SectionÐ )à$( Ð202(h)€of€the€Act€continued€to€be€necessary€and€appropriate€to€address€sea€turtle€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€inÐ |*Ì%) ÐÔ_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€fisheries€in€both€the€Atlantic€and€Pacific€Oceans.€€As€a€result,€Ô#†XöÈXXXöÈ0J#Ôan€international€strategy,Ð h+¸&* Ðreferred€to€as€the€Course€of€Action€to€Promote€International€Agreements€that€Address€the€NeedÐ ° Ðto€Reduce€Sea€Turtle€Ô_ÔBycatchÔ_Ô€in€Foreign€Ô_ÔLonglineÔ_Ô€Fisheries,€was€developed€to€address€this€issue.€Ð œì ÐÌIn€January€2002,€Ô_ÔNMFSÔ_Ô€convened€an€International€Ô_ÔBycatchÔ_Ô€Reduction€Task€Force€made€up€ofÐ tÄ ÐAgency€and€U.S.€Department€of€State€representatives.€€A€Plan€of€Action€was€subsequentlyÐ `° Ðdeveloped€by€the€Task€Force€to:€1)€implement€the€strategy€to€promote€international€agreementsÐ L œ Ðthat€reduce€sea€turtle€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€in€foreign€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€fisheries;€and€2)€promote€the€implementation€ofÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€Food€and€Agriculture€Organization€(FAO)€International€Plan€of€Action€(Ô_ÔIPOAÔ_Ô)€for€ReducingÐ $ t ÐIncidental€Catch€of€Seabirds€in€Ô_ÔLonglineÔ_Ô€Fisheries€and€the€FAO€Ô_ÔIPOAÔ_Ô€for€the€Conservation€andÐ  ` ÐManagement€of€Sharks.Ð ü L  ÐÌò òó óThe€Task€Force€Plan€of€Action€outlines€steps€to€be€taken€in€implementing€the€U.S.€strategy€forÐ Ô$  Ðinternational€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€reduction.€€These€tasks€are€broken€up€into€two€categories:€international€seaÐ À  Ðturtle€workshops,€and€international€communications€relating€to€sea€turtles,€sharks€and€seabirds.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌòòInternational€Sea€Turtle€Workshops:óó€€The€Task€Force€has€engaged€in€a€number€of€activities€inÐ „Ô  Ðsupport€of€international€sea€turtle€workshops€during€2002.€€A€steering€committee€has€beenÐ pÀ Ðformed€to€guide€the€planning€and€execution€of€a€Ô_ÔNMFSÔ_Ô„sponsored€international€technicalÐ \¬ Ðworkshop€on€sea€turtle€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€in€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€fisheries€during€February€2003.€€This€workshop€will:Ð H˜ Ð1)€examine€global€and€seasonal€fleet€distributions€and€effort;€2)€compare€different€Ô_ÔgearÔ_ÔÐ 4„ Ðconfigurations;€3)€look€at€target€species;€4)€compare€existing€regulatory€regimes;€and€5)€reviewÐ  p Ðon„going€bycatch€reduction€research.€€Diplomatic€demarches€have€been€sent€to€longlining€statesÐ  \ Ð(and€Taiwan)€announcing€the€workshop€and€requesting€information€on€sea€turtle€interactions€inÐ øH Ðtheir€longline€fisheries.€€Additionally,€the€workshop€and€other€sea€turtle€initiatives€have€beenÐ ä4 Ðpromoted€in€regional€fisheries€management€and€bilateral€meetings.Ð Ð  ÐÌScientific€activities€undertaken€in€support€of€the€NMFS€sea€turtle€workshop€included€an€OctoberÐ ¨ø Ð2002,€NMFS€staff€review€of€preliminary€results€of€on„going€research€relating€to€the€reduction€ofÐ ”ä Ðsea€turtle€bycatch€in€longline€fisheries.€€The€results€of€this€in„house€review€were€presented€duringÐ €Ð Ðsea€turtle€discussions€at€the€Second€International€Fishermanððs€Forum€in€November€2002.€€NMFSÐ l¼ Ðprovided€financial€support€to€this€important€forum€whose€primary€purposeòòóó€is€to€address€possibleÐ X ¨ Ðsolutions€to€incidental€bycatch€of€sea€turtles€and€seabirds€in€longline€fishing€gear.€€Ð D!” ЀÌBetween€March€and€June€2003,€NMFS€may€also€co„sponsor€an€inter„disciplinary€workshop€withÐ #l! Ðthe€International€Center€for€Living€Aquatic€Marine€Resource€Management€(ICLARM).€€PossibleÐ $X" Ðobjectives€for€this€workshop€include:€1)€identification€of€the€types€of€international€institutionsÐ ô$D # Ðrequired€to€conserve€and€manage€Pacific€sea€turtles;€2)€development€of€€pan„PacificÐ à%0!$ Ðcomprehensive€policy€options;€development€of€a€pan„Pacific€model€framework€treaty€and€call€forÐ Ì&"% Ðnegotiations;€3)€call€for€an€FAO€IPOA€for€Sea€Turtles;€and€4)€development€of€a€multi„Ð ¸'#& Ðdisciplinary€and€multilateral€sea€turtle€research€agenda€for€the€future.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌòòInternational€Communications€Relating€to€Sea€Turtles,€Sharks€and€Seabirdsóó:€The€United€StatesÐ |*Ì%) Ðhas€communicated€through€diplomatic€cables€with€flag€states€with€significant€longline€fleets€(andÐ h+¸&* ÐÔ_ÔTaiwan).€€As€noted€above,€a€demarche€relating€to€sea€turtles€was€sent€that€emphasized€theÐ ° Ðinternational€nature€of€the€sea€turtle€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€problem€in€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€fisheries,€described€steps€thatÐ œì Ðthe€United€States€is€taking€to€address€it,€and€requested€that€recipients€provide€information€relativeÐ ˆØ Ðto€sea€turtle€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€in€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€fisheries.€€The€demarche€announced€the€date€and€location€of€theÐ tÄ ÐInternational€Ô_ÔLonglineÔ_Ô€Sea€Turtle€Ô_ÔBycatchÔ_Ô€Technical€Workshop,€which€was€promoted€as€theÐ `° Ðforum€for€the€consideration€of€the€sea€turtle€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€information€requested.€€The€United€StatesÐ L œ Ðwill€also€send€similar€demarches€to€Executive€Secretaries€(or€equivalent)€of€regional€fisheriesÐ 8 ˆ Ðmanagement€organizations€or€arrangements€in€whose€area€of€operation€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€fishing€occurs.€Ð $ t ÐÌDemarches€have€also€been€sent€to€flag€states€with€significant€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€fleets€(and€Taiwan)€thatÐ ü L  Ðrequested€information€on€the€status€of€implementing€the€Ô_ÔIPOAsÔ_Ô€for€Seabirds€and€Sharks.€€In€theseÐ è 8  Ðcommunications,€the€United€States€encouraged:€development€and€implementation€of€NationalÐ Ô$  ÐPlans€of€Action€for€Seabirds€to€promote€the€reduction€of€incidental€catch€of€seabirds€in€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_ÔÐ À  Ðfisheries€where€it€occurs;€and€development€and€implementation€of€National€Plans€of€Actions€forÐ ¬ü  ÐSharks€to€promote€the€conservation€and€management€of€sharks€and€call€attention€to€theÐ ˜è  Ðinternational€issue€of€shark€finning.€€Additionally,€the€United€States€committed€to€provideÐ „Ô  Ðinformation€on€topics€relating€to€these€Ô_ÔIPOAsÔ_Ô,€including€information€that€may€be€of€use€to€statesÐ pÀ Ðdeveloping€a€National€Plan€of€Action€(Ô_ÔNPOAÔ_Ô)€for€Seabirds€and€an€Ô_ÔNPOAÔ_Ô€for€Sharks.€€ThisÐ \¬ Ðcommunication€provided€an€overview€of€the€U.S.€Shark€Finning€Prohibition€Act.Ð H˜ ÐÌThroughout€2002,€the€United€States€has€used€current€and€new€regional€fishery€managementÐ  p Ðorganizations€and€existing€bilateral€relationships€to€call€attention€to€the€international€problems€ofÐ  \ Ðsea€turtle€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€and€incidental€catch€of€seabirds€and€sharks€in€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€fisheries.€€The€UnitedÐ øH ÐStates€continues€to€promote€international€cooperative€efforts€to€collect€standardized€informationÐ ä4 Ðon€the€incidence€of€sea€turtle€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€in€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€fisheries€and€is€promoting€the€technicalÐ Ð  Ðworkshop€as€one€forum€to€receive€and€consider€such€information.€Ð ¼  ÐÔ‡XöÈXXXöÈÔÌòòCONCLUSIONóóÐ ”ä ÐÌThe€United€States€will€continue€its€efforts€during€2003€to€implement€the€Task€Forceððs€Plan€ofÐ l¼ ÐAction€by€using€every€opportunity€at€the€bilateral,€regional,€and€global€levels€to€promote€theÐ X ¨ Ðreduction€and€elimination€of€sea€turtle€Ô_ÔbycatchÔ_Ô€in€Ô_ÔlonglineÔ_Ô€fishing€gear.€€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ô€Ô#†XöÈXXXöÈ£k#Ô