Every two years the Secretary of Commerce submits a Biennial Report to Congress, as required by Section 609 of the Moratorium Protection Act. The first Biennial Report was sent to Congress in January 2009, with subsequent reports submitted in January 2011, January 2013, and February 2015. Central to the statutory scheme is the requirement that the Secretary of Commerce, in these biennial reports, identify nations whose fishing vessels are engaged in IUU fishing, or in certain bycatch or shark fishing practices; describe U.S. consultations with the identified countries to urge appropriate actions; and certify whether such actions subsequent to identification have adequately addressed the offending activities. The Secretary of Commerce has delegated authority to identify and certify countries under the Moratorium Protection Act to the NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)