Loading (50 kb)...'
(continued)
(d) Duration. A certificate and permit are valid for the calendar year for which they are issued, unless the permit is revoked, suspended, or modified under subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
(e) Transfer. A certificate and permit issued under this section are not transferable or assignable. They are valid only for the fishing vessel and owner for which they are issued.
(f) Display. A certificate and permit issued under this section must be carried aboard the fishing vessel while it is in treaty waters. The operator of a fishing vessel must present the certificate and permit for inspection upon request of an authorized officer or an enforcement officer of the Republic of Colombia.
(g) Sanctions and denials. Procedures governing enforcement-related permit sanctions and denials are found at subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
(h) Alteration. A certificate or permit that is altered, erased, or mutilated is invalid.
(i) Replacement. A replacement certificate or permit may be issued upon request. Such request must clearly state the reason for a replacement certificate or permit.
(j) Change in application information. The owner of a vessel with a permit must notify the Regional Administrator within 30 days after any change in the application information required by paragraph (b)(2) of this section. The permit is void if any change in the information is not reported within 30 days.
§ 300.124 Recordkeeping and reporting.
top
(a) Arrival and departure reports. The operator of each vessel of the United States for which a certificate and permit have been issued under §300.123 must report by radio to the Port Captain, San Andres Island, voice radio call sign “Capitania de San Andres,” the vessel's arrival in and departure from treaty waters. Radio reports must be made on 8222.0 kHz or 8276.5 kHz between 8:00 a.m. and 12 noon, local time (1300–1700, Greenwich mean time) Monday through Friday.
(b) Catch and effort reports. Each vessel of the United States must report its catch and effort on each trip into treaty waters to the Science and Research Director on a form available from the Science and Research Director. These forms must be submitted to the Science and Research Director so as to be received no later than 7 days after the end of each fishing trip.
§ 300.125 Vessel identification.
top
(a) Official number. A vessel with a permit issued pursuant to §300.123, when in treaty waters, must display its official number 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. The official number must be permanently affixed to or painted on the vessel and must be in block arabic numerals in contrasting color to the background at least 18 inches (45.7 cm) in height for fishing vessels over 65 ft (19.8 m) in length, and at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) in height for all other vessel.
(b) Duties of operator. The operator of each fishing vessel must—
(1) Keep the official number clearly legible and in good repair.
(2) Ensure that no part of the fishing vessel, its rigging, fishing gear, or any other material aboard obstructs the view of the official number from an enforcement vessel or aircraft.
§ 300.126 Prohibitions.
top
In addition to the general prohibitions specified in §600.725 of this title and the prohibited acts specified in §300.4, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
(a) Fish in treaty waters without the certificate and permit aboard, or fail to display the certificate and permit, as specified in §300.123(a) and (f).
(b) Fail to notify the Regional Administrator of a change in application information, as specified in §300.123(j).
(c) Fail to report a vessel's arrival in and departure from treaty waters, as required by §300.124(a).
(d) Falsify or fail to display and maintain vessel identification, as required by §300.125.
(e) Fail to comply immediately with instructions and signals issued by an enforcement officer of the Republic of Colombia, as specified in §300.127.
(f) Operate a factory vessel in treaty waters, as specified in §300.130(a).
(g) Use a monofilament gillnet in treaty waters, as specified in §300.130(b).
(h) Use autonomous or semi-autonomous diving equipment in treaty waters, as specified in §300.130(c).
(i) Use or possess in treaty waters a lobster trap or fish trap without a degradable panel, as specified in §300.130(d).
(j) Possess conch smaller than the minimum size limit, as specified in §300.131(a).
(k) Fish for or possess conch in the closed area or during the closed season, as specified in §300.131(b) and (c).
(l) Retain on board a berried lobster or strip eggs from or otherwise molest a berried lobster, as specified in §300.132(a).
(m) Possess a lobster smaller than the minimum size, as specified in §300.132(b).
(n) Fail to return immediately to the water unharmed a berried or undersized lobster, as specified in §300.132(a) and (b).
§ 300.127 Facilitation of enforcement.
top
(a) The provisions of §600.730 of this title and paragraph (b) of this section apply to vessels of the United States fishing in treaty waters.
(b) The operator of, or any other person aboard, any vessel of the United States fishing in treaty waters must immediately comply with instructions and signals issued by an enforcement officer of the Republic of Colombia to stop the vessel and with instructions to facilitate safe boarding and inspection of the vessel, its gear, equipment, fishing record, and catch for purposes of enforcing this subpart.
§ 300.128 Penalties.
top
Any person committing or fishing vessel used in the commission of a violation of the Magnuson Act or any regulation issued under the Magnuson Act, is subject to the civil and criminal penalty provisions and civil forfeiture provisions of the Magnuson Act, to part 600 of this title, to 15 CFR part 904, and to other applicable law. In addition, Colombian authorities may require a vessel involved in a violation of this subpart to leave treaty waters.
§ 300.129 Fishing year.
top
The fishing year for fishing in treaty waters begins on January 1 and ends on December 31.
§ 300.130 Vessel and gear restrictions.
top
(a) Factory vessels. Factory vessels are prohibited from operating in treaty waters.
(b) Monofilament gillnets. A monofilament gillnet made from nylon or similar synthetic material are prohibited from being used in treaty waters.
(c) Tanks and air hoses. Autonomous or semiautonomous diving equipment (tanks or air hoses) are prohibited from being used to take aquatic biological resources in treaty waters.
(d) Trap requirements. A lobster trap or fish trap used or possessed in treaty waters that is constructed of material other than wood must have an escape panel located in the upper half of the sides or on top of the trap that, when removed, will leave an opening no smaller than the throat or entrance of the trap. Such escape panel must be constructed of or attached to the trap with wood, cotton, or other degradable material.
(e) Poisons and explosives. [Reserved]
§ 300.131 Conch harvest limitations.
top
(a) Size limit. The minimum size limit for possession of conch in or from treaty waters is 7.94 oz (225 g) for an uncleaned meat and 3.53 oz (100 g) for a cleaned meat.
(b) Closed area. The treaty waters of Quita Sueno are closed to the harvest or possession of conch.
(c) Closed season. During the period July 1 through September 30 of each year, the treaty waters of Serrana and Roncador are closed to the harvest or possession of conch.
§ 300.132 Lobster harvest limitations.
top
(a) Berried lobsters. A berried (egg-bearing) lobster in treaty waters may not be retained on board. A berried lobster must be returned immediately to the water unharmed. A berried lobster may not be stripped, scraped, shaved, clipped, or in any other manner molested to remove the eggs.
(b) Size limit. The minimum size limit for possession of lobster in or from treaty waters is 5.5 inches (13.97 cm), tail length. Tail length means the measurement, with the tail in a straight, flat position, from the anterior upper edge of the first abdominal (tail) segment to the tip of the closed tail. A lobster smaller than the minimum size limit must be returned immediately to the water unharmed.
Subpart I—United States-Canada Fisheries Enforcement
top
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
§ 300.140 Purpose and scope.
top
This subpart implements the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada on Fisheries Enforcement executed at Ottawa, Canada, on September 26, 1990 (Agreement), allowing each party to the Agreement to take appropriate measures, consistent with international law, to prevent its nationals, residents and vessels from violating those national fisheries laws and regulations of the other party. This subpart applies, except where otherwise specified in this subpart, to all persons and all places (on water and on land) subject to the jurisdiction of the United States under the Magnuson Act. This includes, but is not limited to, activities of nationals, residents and vessels of the United States (including the owners and operators of such vessels) within waters subject to the fisheries jurisdiction of Canada as defined in this subpart, as well as on the high seas and in waters subject to the fisheries jurisdiction of the United States.
§ 300.141 Definitions.
top
In addition to the terms defined in §300.2 and those in the Magnuson Act and the Agreement, the terms used in this subpart have the following meanings. If a term is defined differently in §300.2, the Magnuson Act, or the Agreement, the definition in this section applies.
Applicable Canadian fisheries law means any Canadian law, regulation or similar provision relating in any manner to fishing by any fishing vessel other than a Canadian fishing vessel in waters subject to the fisheries jurisdiction of Canada, including, but not limited to, any provision relating to stowage of fishing gear by vessels passing through such waters, and to obstruction or interference with enforcement of any such law or regulation.
Authorized officer of Canada means any fishery officer, protection officer, officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or other employee authorized by the appropriate authority of any national or provincial agency of Canada to enforce any applicable Canadian fisheries law.
Canadian fishing vessel means a fishing vessel:
(1) That is registered or licensed in Canada under the Canada Shipping Act and is owned by one or more persons each of whom is a Canadian citizen, a person resident and domiciled in Canada, or a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada or of a province, having its principal place of business in Canada; or
(2) That is not required by the Canada Shipping Act to be registered or licensed in Canada and is not registered or licensed elsewhere but is owned as described in paragraph (1) of this definition.
Waters subject to the fisheries jurisdiction of Canada means the internal waters, territorial sea, and the zone that Canada has established, extending 200 nautical miles from its coasts, in which it exercises sovereign rights for the purpose of exploration, exploitation, conservation and management of living marine resources, to the extent recognized by the United States.
§ 300.142 Prohibitions.
top
The prohibitions in this section apply within waters subject to the fisheries jurisdiction of Canada and during hot pursuit therefrom by an authorized officer of Canada. It is unlawful for any national or resident of the United States, or any person on board a vessel of the United States, or the owner or operator of any such vessel, to do any of the following:
(a) Engage in fishing in waters subject to the fisheries jurisdiction of Canada without the express authorization of the Government of Canada.
(b) Take or retain fish in waters subject to the fisheries jurisdiction of Canada without the express authorization of the Government of Canada.
(c) Be on board a fishing vessel in waters subject to the fisheries jurisdiction of Canada, without stowing all fishing gear on board either:
(1) Below deck, or in an area where it is not normally used, such that the gear is not readily available for fishing; or
(2) If the gear cannot readily be moved, in a secured and covered manner, detached from all towing lines, so that it is rendered unusable for fishing; unless the vessel has been authorized by the Government of Canada to fish in the particular location within waters subject to the fisheries jurisdiction of Canada in which it is operating.
(d) While on board a fishing vessel in waters subject to the fisheries jurisdiction of Canada, fail to respond to any inquiry from an authorized officer of Canada regarding the vessel's name, flag state, location, route or destination, and/or the circumstances under which the vessel entered such waters.
(e) Violate the Agreement, any applicable Canadian fisheries law, or the terms or conditions of any permit, license or any other authorization granted by Canada under any such law.
(f) Fail to comply immediately with any of the enforcement and boarding procedures specified in §300.143.
(g) Destroy, stave, or dispose of in any manner, any fish, gear, cargo or other matter, upon any communication or signal from an authorized officer of Canada, or upon the approach of such an officer, enforcement vessel or aircraft, before the officer has had the opportunity to inspect same, or in contravention of directions from such an officer.
(h) Refuse to allow an authorized officer of Canada to board a vessel for the purpose of conducting any inspection, search, seizure, investigation or arrest in connection with the enforcement of any applicable Canadian fisheries law.
(i) Assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, threaten, obstruct, delay, prevent, or interfere, in any manner, with an authorized officer of Canada in the conduct of any boarding, inspection, search, seizure, investigation or arrest in connection with the enforcement of any applicable Canadian fisheries law.
(j) Make any false statement, oral or written, to an authorized officer of Canada in response to any inquiry by that officer in connection with enforcement of any applicable Canadian fisheries law.
(k) Falsify, cover, or otherwise obscure, the name, home port, official number (if any), or any other similar marking or identification of any fishing vessel subject to this subpart such that the vessel cannot be readily identified from an enforcement vessel or aircraft.
(l) Attempt to do any of the foregoing.
§ 300.143 Facilitation of enforcement.
top
(a) General. Persons aboard fishing vessels subject to this subpart must immediately comply with instructions and/or signals issued by an authorized officer of the United States or Canada, or by an enforcement vessel or aircraft, to stop the vessel, and with instructions to facilitate safe boarding and inspection for the purpose of enforcing any applicable Canadian fisheries law, the Agreement, or this subpart. All of the provisions of §300.5 regarding communications, boarding, and signals apply to this subpart. For purposes of this subpart, authorized officer in §305 means an authorized officer of the United States or Canada. (See paragraph (b) of this section for specific requirements for complying with signals and instructions issued by an authorized officer of Canada.)
(b) Canadian signals. In addition to signals set forth in §300.5, persons aboard fishing vessels subject to this subpart must immediately comply with the following signals by an authorized officer of Canada.
(1) Authorized officers of Canada use the following signals to require fishing vessels to stop or heave to:
(i) The hoisting of a rectangular flag, known as the International Code Flag “L”, which is divided vertically and horizontally into quarters and colored so that:
(A) The upper quarter next to the staff and the lower quarter next to the fly are yellow; and
(B) The lower quarter next to the staff and the upper quarter next to the fly are black;
(ii) The flashing of a light to indicate the International Morse Code letter “L”, consisting of one short flash, followed by one long flash, followed by two short flashes (. — . .); or
(iii) The sounding of a horn or whistle to indicate the International Morse Code letter “L”, consisting of one short blast, followed by one long blast, followed by two short blasts (. — . .).
(2) Authorized officers of Canada use the following signals to require a fishing vessel to prepare to be boarded:
(i) The hoisting of flags representing the International Code Flag “SQ3”; or
(ii) The flashing of a light, or the sounding of a horn or whistle, to indicate the International Morse Code Signal “SQ3” (. . .——.—. . .——).
§ 300.144 Penalties and sanctions.
top
Any person, any fishing vessel, or the owner or operator of any such vessel, who violates any provision of the Agreement or this subpart, is subject to the civil and criminal fines, penalties, forfeitures, permit sanctions, or other sanctions provided in the Magnuson Act, part 600 of this title, 15 CFR part 904 (Civil Procedures), and any other applicable law or regulation.
Subpart J—U.S. Nationals Fishing in Russian Fisheries
top
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
§ 300.150 Purpose.
top
This subpart regulates U.S. nationals fishing in the Russian fisheries and implements the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on Mutual Fisheries Relations, signed May 31, 1988.
§ 300.151 Definitions.
top
In addition to the terms defined in §300.2 and those in the Magnuson Act, the terms used in this subpart have the following meanings. If a term is defined differently in §300.2 or the Magnuson Act, the definition in this section shall apply.
Affiliates means two persons (including individuals and entities) related in such a way that—
(1) One indirectly or directly controls or has power to control the other; or
(2) A third party controls or has power to control both. Indicia of control include, but are not limited to, interlocking management or ownership, identity of interests among family members, shared facilities and equipment, common use of employees, or a reorganized entity having the same or similar management, ownership, or employees as a former entity.
Agreement means the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on Mutual Fisheries Relations, signed May 31, 1988.
Embassy of the Russian Federation means the Fisheries Attache of the embassy located in Washington, D.C.
Fishery resource means any fish, any stock of fish, any species of fish, and any habitat of fish.
Fishing or to fish means any activity that does, is intended to, or can reasonably be expected to result in catching or removing from the water fishery resources. Fishing also includes the acts of scouting, processing, and support.
Operator, with respect to any vessel, means the master or other individual on board and in charge of either the vessel, the vessel's fishing operation, or both.
Owner, with respect to any vessel, means any person who owns that vessel in whole or in part, whether or not it is leased or chartered to or managed by another person, or any charterer, whether bareboat, time, or voyage, and any person who acts in the capacity of a charterer, or manager, including but not limited to parties to a management agreement, operating agreement, or any similar agreement that bestows control over the destination, function, or operation of the vessel, any officer, director, manager, controlling shareholder of any entity described in this definition, any agent designated as such by any person described in this definition, and any affiliate of any person described in this definition.
Processing means any operation by a vessel to receive fish from a fishing vessel and/or the preparation of fish, including but not limited to cleaning, cooking, canning, smoking, salting, drying, or freezing, either on the vessel's behalf or to assist another vessel.
Regional Administrator means Director, Alaska Region, or a designee.
Relevant laws and regulations of the Russian Federation means those Russian laws and regulations that concern fishing for fishery resources over which Russia exercises sovereign rights or fishery management authority.
Russian and Federation mean the Russian Federation, its government, or any organ or entity of its government.
Russian continental shelf or continental shelf of Russia means the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas over which, consistent with international law, Russia exercises sovereign rights.
Russian Economic Zone or Russian EZ means a zone of waters off the coast of Russia beyond and adjacent to the Russian territorial sea extending a distance of up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the territorial sea is measured, within which, consistent with international law, Russia has sovereign rights over the fishery resources.
Russian Federation or Russia means the governing entity that succeeded the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and that is the successor party to the Agreement of May 31, 1988.
Russian fisheries, Russian fishery resources, or fishery resources over which Russia exercises sovereign rights or fishery management authority means fishery resources within the Russian EZ, fishery resources of the Russian continental shelf, and anadromous species that originate in the waters of Russia, whether found in the Russian EZ or beyond any exclusive economic zone or its equivalent.
Scouting means any operation by a vessel exploring (on behalf of the vessel or another vessel) for the presence of fish by any means that do not involve the catching of fish.
Support means any operation by a vessel assisting fishing by another vessel, including—
(1) Transferring or transporting fish or fish products; or
(2) Supplying a fishing vessel with water, fuel, provisions, fishing equipment, fish processing equipment, or other supplies.
§ 300.152 Procedures.
top
(a) Application for annual permits. U.S. vessel owners and operators must have a valid permit issued by the Russian Federation obtained pursuant to a complete application submitted through NMFS before fishing in the Russian EZ or for Russian fishery resources. Application forms and copies of applicable laws and regulations of the Russian Federation may be obtained from NMFS Headquarters.
(b) Other application information. Applications for motherships, processing or transport vessels must identify the type of fishing gear to be employed or the fishing quotas if the vessel has received or is requesting a quota. To facilitate processing, NMFS requests that permit applications for more than 10 vessels be grouped by type and fishing area, and provide the name, address, telephone, and FAX number(s) of an individual who will be the official point of contact for an application.
(c) Review of Applications. NMFS will review each application, and, if it is complete, forward it to the Department of State for submission to the competent authorities of the Russian Federation. NMFS will notify the permit applicant when the permit is submitted to the Russian Federation. NMFS will return incomplete applications to the applicant.
(d) Direct Communication. U.S. applicants may communicate directly with the Russian Federation with regard to the status of their applications or permits and are encouraged to do so. Owners and operators should make direct contact and work with Russian industry and government authorities.
§ 300.153 Permit issuance.
top
(a) Acceptance. Once the Department of State has accepted the conditions and restrictions proposed by the Russian Federation and all fees have been paid, the competent authorities of the Russian Federation will approve the application. The Russian Federation will issue a permit to the vessel owner for each fishing vessel for which it has approved an application. That vessel will thereupon be authorized by the Russian Federation to fish in accordance with the Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth in the permit. The vessel owner is prohibited from transferring the permit to any other vessel or person. Any such transfer, or the sale or other transfer of the vessel, will immediately invalidate the permit. The vessel owner must notify NMFS of any change in the permit application information submitted to NMFS Headquarters under §300.152 within 7 calendar days of the change.
(b) Copies. The vessel owner and operator must mail a copy of each permit and any conditions and restrictions issued for that vessel by the Russian Federation within 7 calendar days of its receipt to NMFS Headquarters.
(c) Validity. Any permit issued by the Russian Federation with respect to a vessel subject to this subpart will be deemed to be a valid permit only if:
(1) A completed permit application has been forwarded to the competent authorities of the Russian Federation as provided in §300.152(b)(1).
(2) Such application has been approved and a permit issued by the competent authorities of the Russian Federation as provided in paragraph (a) of this section.
(3) The U.S. Department of State has notified the competent authorities of the Russian Federation that it has accepted the conditions and restrictions as provided in paragraph (a) of this section. The permit will be rendered invalid by: The transfer or sale of the permit specified in paragraph (a) of this section; the failure to submit to NMFS any changes in permit application information as required by paragraph (a) of this section; failure to submit to NMFS any permit copy required by paragraph (b) of this section or any other information or report required by any other provision of this subpart; or the failure to pay required permit fees.
(d) Russian-imposed sanctions. (1) The Russian Federation will impose appropriate fines, penalties, or forfeitures in accordance with its laws, for violations of its relevant laws or regulations.
(2) In the case of arrest and seizure of a U.S. vessel by Russian authorities, notification will be given promptly through diplomatic channels informing the United States of the facts and actions taken.
(3) The Russian Federation will release U.S. vessels and their crews promptly, subject to the posting of reasonable bond or other security.
(4) The sanctions for violations of limitations or restrictions on fishing operations will be appropriate fines, penalties, forfeitures, or revocations or suspensions of fishing privileges.
§ 300.154 Recordkeeping and reporting.
top
(a) General. The owner and operator of a vessel subject to this subpart are responsible for complying with all recordkeeping and reporting requirements in this part in a timely and accurate manner. Reports and records required by this subpart must be in English, in the formats specified, and unless otherwise specified, based on Greenwich mean time (GMT).
(b) Vessel permit abstract report. (1) The owner and operator of a vessel subject to this subpart must submit to NMFS Headquarters a permit abstract report containing the following information:
(i) Vessel name.
(ii) Russian Federation permit number.
(iii) Duration of permit (e.g., 1/1/91–12/31/91).
(iv) Authorized areas of fishing operations in geographic coordinates.
(v) Authorized catch quota in tons.
(vi) Authorized fishing gear.
(vii) Type of permit (e.g., catcher).
(2) The report must be telefaxed to (301) 713–0596 within 5 calendar days of receipt of the Russian permit.
(c) Activity reports. The owner and operator of a vessel subject to this subpart must submit to the Regional Administrator by telefax to (907) 586–7313, the following reports:
(1) Depart Report (Action code DEPART). At least 24 hours before the vessel departs from the EEZ for the Russian EZ, NMFS must receive the following information:
(i) The date (month and day), and time (hour and minute GMT), and position (latitude and longitude to the nearest degree and minute), at which the vessel will depart the EEZ for the Russian EZ.
(ii) The weight in metric tons (to the nearest hundredth of a metric ton) of all fish and fish product (listed by species and product codes) on board the vessel at the time it will depart the EEZ.
(2) Return Report (Action code RETURN). At least 24 hours before a vessel that has been in the Russian EZ enters the EEZ, NMFS must receive the following information:
(i) The date (month and day), time (hour and minute GMT), and position (latitude and longitude to the nearest degree and minute), at which the vessel will enter the EEZ.
(ii) The weight in metric tons (to the nearest hundredth of a metric ton) of all fish and fish products (listed by species and product codes) on board the vessel at the time it will enter the EEZ, and the areas (Russian EZ, U.S. EEZ, or other) in which such fish products were harvested or received.
(3) All reports must specify: The appropriate action code (“DEPART” or “RETURN”); the vessel's name and international radio call sign (IRCS); the sender's name and telephone number, and FAX, TELEX, and COMSAT numbers; the date (month and day) and time (hour and minute GMT) that the report is submitted to NMFS; and the intended date and U.S. port of landing. A list of species and product codes may be obtained from the Regional Administrator.
(d) Recordkeeping. The owner and operator of a vessel subject to this subpart must retain all copies of all reports required by this subpart on board the vessel for 1 year after the end of the calendar year in which the report was generated. The owner and operator must retain and make such records available for inspection upon the request of an authorized officer at any time for 3 years after the end of the calendar year in which the report was generated, whether or not such records on board the vessel.
§ 300.155 Requirements.
top
(a) Compliance with permit requirements. (1) U.S. nationals and vessels subject to this subpart must have a valid permit, as specified in §300.153(c) in order to fish for Russian fishery resources.
(2) U.S. nationals and vessels subject to this subpart that are fishing for Russian fishery resources must comply with all provisions, conditions, and restrictions of any applicable permit.
(b) Compliance with Russian law. U.S. nationals and vessels fishing for Russian fishery resources must comply with the relevant laws and regulations of the Russian Federation.
(c) Protection of marine mammals. U.S. nationals and vessels fishing for Russian fishery resources may not harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal within the Russian EZ, attempt to do so, except as may be provided for by an international agreement to which both the United States and Russia are parties, or in accordance with specific authorization and controls established by the Russian Federation. The provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq. also apply to any person or vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States while in the Russian EZ, and it shall not be a defense to any violation of the MMPA that the person or vessel was acting in accordance with any permit or authorization issued by the Russian Federation.
(d) Cooperation with enforcement procedures. (1) The operator of, or any person aboard, any U.S. vessel subject to this subpart must immediately comply with instructions and signals issued by an authorized officer of the Russian Federation to stop the vessel and with instructions to facilitate safe boarding and inspection of the vessel, its gear, equipment, fishing record, and catch for purposes of enforcing the relevant laws and regulations of Russia.
(2) The operator of, and any person aboard, any U.S. vessel subject to this subpart, must comply with directions issued by authorized officers of the Russian Federation in connection with the seizure of the vessel for violation of the relevant laws or regulations of the Russian Federation.
(3) U.S. nationals and vessels subject to this subpart must pay all fines and penalties and comply with forfeiture sanctions imposed by the Russian Federation for violations of its relevant laws and regulations.
(4) The operator of, and any person aboard, any U.S. vessel subject to this subpart must immediately comply with instructions and signals issued by an authorized officer of the United States to stop the vessel and with instructions to facilitate safe boarding and inspection of the vessel, its gear, equipment, fishing records, and catch for purposes of enforcing the Magnuson Act, the Agreement, and this subpart.
(e) Compliance with observer requirements. The owner of, operator of, and any person aboard, any U.S. vessel fishing in the Russian EZ or for Russian fishery resources to which a Russian observer is assigned must—
(1) Allow and facilitate, on request, boarding of a U.S. vessel by the observer.
(2) Provide to the observer, at no cost to the observer or the Russian Federation, the courtesies and accommodations provided to ship's officers.
(3) Cooperate with the observer in the conduct of his or her official duties.
(4) Reimburse the Russian Federation for the costs of providing an observer aboard the vessel.
§ 300.156 Prohibited acts.
top
In addition to the prohibited acts specified at §300.4, it shall be unlawful for any U.S. national or vessel, or the owner or operator of any such vessel:
(a) To fish for Russian fishery resources without a valid permit issued by the competent authorities of the Russian Federation.
(b) To violate the provisions, conditions, and restrictions of an applicable permit.
(c) To violate the relevant laws and regulations of Russia.
(d) To harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal within the Russian EZ, or while fishing for Russian fishery resources, except as provided in §300.155 (c).
(e) To fail to comply immediately with enforcement and boarding procedures specified in §300.155 (d).
(f) To refuse to allow an authorized officer of the Russian Federation to board and inspect a vessel subject to this subpart for purposes of conducting any search, inspection, arrest, or seizure in connection with the enforcement of the relevant laws and regulations of the Russian Federation.
(g) To assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with, in any manner, any authorized officer of the Russian Federation in the conduct of any search, inspection, seizure, or arrest in connection with enforcement of the relevant laws and regulations of the Russian Federation.
(h) To fail to pay fines or penalties or comply with forfeitures imposed for a violation of the relevant laws and regulations of the Russian Federation.
(i) To refuse or fail to allow a Russian observer to board a vessel subject to this subpart while fishing in the Russian EZ, or for Russian fishery resources.
(j) To fail to provide to a Russian observer aboard a vessel fishing in the Russian EZ or for Russian fishery resources, the courtesies and accommodations provided to ship's officers.
(k) To assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, threaten, interfere with, harass, or fail to cooperate, in any manner, with a Russian observer placed aboard a vessel subject to this subpart.
(l) To fail to reimburse the Russian Federation for the costs incurred in the utilization of Russian observers placed aboard such vessel.
(m) To possess, have custody or control of, ship, transport, offer for sale, sell, purchase, transship, import, export, or traffic in any manner, any fish or parts thereof taken or retained, landed, purchased, sold, traded, acquired, or possessed, in any manner, in violation of the relevant laws and regulations of the Russian Federation, the Magnuson Act, or this subpart.
(n) To enter the Russian EZ to fish unless a permit application has been submitted through NMFS to the competent authorities of the Russian Federation by the U.S. Department of State for such vessel as provided in this subpart.
(o) To fish for Russian fisheries or to possess fish taken in Russian fisheries on board a vessel subject to this subpart without a valid permit or other valid form of authorization issued by the competent authorities of the Russian Federation on board the vessel.
(p) To falsify, or fail to report to NMFS, any change in the information contained in a permit application subject to this subpart within 7 calendar days of such change.
(q) To attempt to do, cause to be done, or aid and abet in doing, any of the foregoing.
(r) To violate any other provision of this subpart.
§ 300.157 Penalties.
top
In addition to any fine, penalty, or forfeiture imposed by the Russian Federation, nationals and vessels of the United States violating the prohibitions of §300.156 are subject to the fines, penalties, and forfeitures and the adjudicative procedures provided in the Magnuson Act, 16 U.S.C. 1858, 1860, 1861, and any other applicable laws and regulations of the United States.
Subpart K—Transportation and Labeling of Fish or Wildlife
top
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 3371–3378.
§ 300.160 Requirement for marking of containers or packages.
top
Except as otherwise provided in this subpart, all persons are prohibited from importing, exporting, or transporting in interstate commerce any container or package containing any fish or wildlife (including shellfish) unless each container or package is conspicuously marked on the outside with both the name and address of the shipper and consignee and an accurate list of its contents by species and number of each species.
§ 300.161 Alternatives and exceptions.
top
(a) The requirements of §300.160 may be met by complying with one of the following alternatives to the marking requirement:
(1)(i) Conspicuously marking the outside of each container or package containing fish or wildlife with the word “fish” or “wildlife” as appropriate for its contents, or with the common name of its contents by species, and
(ii) Including an invoice, packing list, bill of lading, or similar document to accompany the shipment that accurately states the name and address of the shipper and consignee, states the total number of packages or containers in the shipment, and for each species in the shipment specifies: The common name that identifies the species (examples include: chinook (or king) salmon; bluefin tuna; and whitetail deer); and the number of that species (or other appropriate measure of quantity such as gross or net weight). The invoice, packing list, bill of lading, or equivalent document must be securely attached to the outside of one container or package in the shipment or otherwise physically accompany the shipment in a manner that makes it readily accessible for inspection; or
(2) Affixing the shipper's wildlife import/export license number preceded by “FWS” on the outside of each container or package containing fish or wildlife if the shipper has a valid wildlife import/export license issued under authority of part 14 of this title. For each shipment marked in accordance with this paragraph (a)(2), the records maintained under §14.93(d) of this title must include a copy of the invoice, packing list, bill of lading, or other similar document that accurately states the information required by paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section.
(3) In the case of subcontainers or packages within a larger packing container, only the outermost container must be marked in accordance with this section, provided, that for live fish or wildlife that are packed in subcontainers within a larger packing container, if the subcontainers are numbered or labeled, the packing list, invoice, bill of lading, or other similar document, must reflect that number or label.
(4) A conveyance (truck, plane, boat, etc.) is not considered a container for purposes of requiring specific marking of the conveyance itself, provided that:
(i) The fish or wildlife within the conveyance is carried loosely or is readily identifiable, and is accompanied by the document required by paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section; or
(ii) The fish or wildlife is otherwise packaged and marked in accordance with this subpart.
(b) The requirements of §300.160 of chapter III of this title do not apply to containers or packages containing—
(1) Fox, nutria, rabbit, mink, chinchilla, marten, fisher, muskrat, and karakul that have been bred and born in captivity, or their products, if a signed statement certifying that the animals were bred and born in captivity accompanies the shipping documents;
(2) Fish or shellfish contained in retail consumer packages labeled pursuant to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.; or
(3) Fish or shellfish that are landed by, and offloaded from, a fishing vessel (whether or not the catch has been carried by the fishing vessel interstate), as long as the fish or shellfish remain at the place where first offloaded.
Subpart L—Pacific Albacore Tuna Fisheries
top
Authority: Sec. 401, Pub. L. 108-219, 118 Stat. 616 (16 U.S.C. 1821 note).
Source: 69 FR 31535, June 4, 2004, unless otherwise noted.
§ 300.170 Purpose and scope.
top
The regulations in this subpart govern fishing by U.S. vessels in waters under the fisheries jurisdiction of Canada pursuant to the 1981 Treaty Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada on Pacific Coast Albacore Tuna Vessels and Port Privileges as amended in 2002. Regulations governing fishing by Canadian vessels in waters under the fisheries jurisdiction of the United States pursuant to this Treaty as amended in 2002 are found at §600.530 of chapter VI of this title.
§ 300.171 Definitions.
top
In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and §600.10 of Chapter VI of this title, the terms used in this subpart have the following meanings:
Fishing under the Treaty as amended in 2002 means to engage in fishing for albacore tuna in waters under the fisheries jurisdiction of Canada seaward of 12 nautical miles from the baseline from which the territorial sea is measured.
Regional Administrator means the Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802–4213, or a designee.
Reporting Office means the office designated by the Regional Administrator to take hail-in and hail-out reports from U.S. and Canadian vessel operators.
Treaty means the 1981 Treaty Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada on Pacific Coast Albacore Tuna Vessels and Port Privileges as amended in 2002.
§ 300.172 Vessel list.
top
The “vessel list” is the list of U.S. vessels that are authorized to fish under the Treaty as amended in 2002. Only a vessel on the list for at least 7 days may engage in fishing in Canadian waters under the Treaty as amended in 2002. At least 7 (seven) days prior to the first day on which any fishing in Canadian waters may begin, the owner of any U.S. vessel that wishes to be eligible to fish for albacore tuna under the Treaty as amended in 2002 must provide the Regional Administrator or his designee with the vessel name, the owner's name and address, phone number where the owner can be reached, the U.S. Coast Guard documentation number (or state registration number if not documented), and vessel operator (if different from the owner) and his or her address and phone number. NMFS will then place the vessel on the vessel list.
§ 300.173 Vessel identification.
top
A U.S. vessel fishing under the Treaty as amended in 2002 must be marked with its name and vessel identification prominently displayed where they will be clearly visible both from the air and from a surface vessel. Vessel identification means the U.S. Coast Guard Documentation number (or if not documented, the state registration number) followed by the letter U in the same height and size as the numerals. Numerals and the letter U must meet the size requirements of §660.704 of chapter VI of this title.
§ 300.174 Logbook reports.
top
The owner of any U.S. vessel that fishes for albacore tuna in Canadian waters under the Treaty as amended in 2002 must maintain and submit to the Regional Administrator a logbook of catch and effort of such fishing. The logbook form will be provided to the vessel owner as soon as practicable after the request to be placed on the list of vessels. The logbook must be submitted to the Regional Administrator within 15 days of the end of a trip, regardless of whether the trip ends by reentry to U.S. waters or entry to Canada's territorial sea, other Canadian waters in which fishing is not permitted, or a Canadian port. If the departure is due to exit to the high seas, the vessel operator must submit the logbook within 7 days of its next landing.
§ 300.175 Hail-in and hail-out reports.
top
(a) The operator of any U.S. vessel that wishes to engage in fishing in waters under the fisheries jurisdiction of Canada must file a hail-in report to the Reporting Office at least 24 hours prior to engaging in fishing in such waters.
(b) The operator of a U.S. vessel that has been fishing under the Treaty as amended in 2002 must file a hail-out report to the Reporting Office within 24 hours of departing waters under the fisheries jurisdiction of Canada.
§ 300.176 Prohibitions.
top
It is prohibited for the owner or operator of a U.S. fishing vessel to:
(a) Engage in fishing in waters under the fisheries jurisdiction of Canada if:
(1) The vessel has not been on the list of fisheries pursuant to §300.172 for at least 7 days;
(2) The vessel is not clearly marked as required under §300.173;
(3) The vessel operator has not filed a hail-in report with the Reporting Office as required under §300.175(a); or
(4) The Regional Administrator has announced that the U.S. limit on fishing under the Treaty as amended in 2002 has been reached.
(b) Fail to maintain and submit logbook records of catch and effort statistics as required under §300.174;
(c) Fail to report an exit from waters under the fisheries jurisdiction of Canada as required by §300.175(b).
Subpart M—International Trade Documentation and Tracking Programs for Highly Migratory Species
top
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951–961 and 971 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Source: 69 FR 67277, Nov. 17, 2004, unless otherwise noted.
§ 300.180 Purpose and scope.
top
The regulations in this subpart are issued under the authority of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 (ATCA), Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, and Magnuson-Stevens Act. The regulations implement the recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) for the conservation and management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) for the conservation and management of highly migratory fish resources in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, so far as they affect vessels and persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
§ 300.181 Definitions.
top
Atlantic bluefin tuna means the species Thunnus thynnus found in the Atlantic Ocean.
Bigeye tuna means the species Thunnus obesus found in any ocean area.
Bluefin tuna, for purposes of this subpart, means Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tuna, as defined in this section.
BSD tag means a numbered tag affixed to a bluefin tuna issued by any country in conjunction with a catch statistics information program and recorded on a bluefin tuna statistical document (BSD).
CBP means the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
CCSBT means the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna established pursuant to the Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna.
Customs territory of the United States has the same meaning as in 19 CFR 101.1 and includes only the States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Dealer tag means the numbered, flexible, self-locking ribbon issued by NMFS for the identification of Atlantic bluefin tuna sold to a dealer permitted under §635.4 of this title as required under §635.5(b) of this title.
Entered for consumption has the same meaning as in 19 CFR 141.0a(f) and generally refers to the filing of an entry summary for consumption with customs authorities, in proper form, with estimated duties attached.
Entry for consumption, for purposes of this subpart, has the same meaning as entry for consumption, withdrawal from warehouse for consumption, or entry for consumption of merchandise from a foreign trade zone, as provided under 19 CFR parts 101.1, 141, 144, and 146. For purposes of this subpart, “entry for consumption” generally means an import into the Customs territory of the United States or the separate customs territory of a U.S. insular possession, for domestic use, that is classified for customs purposes in the “consumption” category (entry type codes 00–08) or withdrawal from warehouse or foreign trade zone for consumption category (entry type codes 30–34 and 38). For purposes of this subpart, HMS destined from one foreign country to another, which transits the Customs territory of the United States or the separate customs territory of a U.S. insular possession, and is not classified as an entry for consumption upon release from CBP or other customs custody, is not an entry for consumption under this definition. (continued)