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Environmental assessment for a rule to implement decisions of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission : fishing restrictions regarding the oceanic whitetip shark, the whale shark, and the silky shark
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2015
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Description:"The Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Commission or WCPFC) adopted "Conservation and Management Measure for Oceanic Whitetip Shark" (CMM 2011-04) to address recent declines in catch rates and size of oceanic whitetip sharks (Carcharhinus longimanus) in the longline and purse seine fisheries. The WCPFC also adopted "Conservation and Management Measure for Protection of Whale Sharks from Purse Seine Fishing Operations" (CMM 2012-04) in response to concerns about the potential impacts of purse seine fishing operations on the sustainability of the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) and "Conservation and Management Measure for Silky Sharks" (CMM 2013-08) to address fisheries impacts to silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis) in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is promulgating a rule to implement the applicable provisions of CMM 2011-04, CMM 2012-04, and CMM 2013-08 for U.S. fishing vessels used for commercial fishing for highly migratory species (HMS) in the area of application of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention). The regulations for oceanic whitetip sharks and silky sharks would prohibit the retention, transshipment, storage, or landing of either of the two species and would require the release of any oceanic whitetip shark or silky shark as soon as possible after it is caught with as little harm to the shark as possible. The regulations for whale sharks would prohibit setting a purse seine on a whale shark and would specify certain measures to be taken and reporting requirements in the event a whale shark is encircled in a purse seine net. NMFS prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze the impacts of the rule on the human environment. The EA analyzed the rule (Alternative B), as well as the No-Action Alternative (Alternative A) and concluded that the rule would not have substantial effects on resources in the human environment"--Cover letter summary.
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Rights Information:Public Domain
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Compliance:Submitted
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