[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 115 (Thursday, June 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14664]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 16, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[Docket No. 940538-4138; I.D. 100893B]
RIN 0648-AF74

 

Atlantic Tuna Fisheries

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes modifications to NOAA Form 370, Fisheries 
Certificate of Origin (FCO), to allow that form to also serve as a 
Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document (BSD), and proposes amendments to the 
regulations governing the Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tuna fisheries 
to require: An appropriately completed, approved BSD as a condition for 
import, export, or re-export of fresh or frozen bluefin tuna into or 
from the United States; a Federal permit for all dealers that export 
Pacific bluefin tuna; preparation and submission of a biweekly report 
on exports of Pacific bluefin tuna by permitted dealers; and affixation 
of an identification tag to fresh or individually frozen Pacific 
bluefin tuna sold for export.
    The amendments would enable the United States to assist the 
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) 
in accounting for all bluefin tuna entering into commerce or 
international trade and would bring the United States into compliance 
with the 1992 recommendation of ICCAT and the Atlantic Tunas Convention 
Act (ATCA).

DATES: Comments are invited and must be received by July 18, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed revisions to NOAA Form 370 and on 
the proposed rule should be sent to, and copies of supporting 
documents, including an Environmental Assessment and Regulatory Impact 
Review, are available from, Richard H. Schaefer, Director, Office of 
Fisheries Conservation and Management (F/CM), NMFS, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. NOAA Form 370, as proposed to be 
revised, bluefin tuna dealer permit application, biweekly bluefin tuna 
dealer report, and tuna identification tags may be obtained from NMFS, 
Northeast Region, Fisheries Management Division, 1 Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930-2298, or NMFS, Southwest Region, Fisheries 
Management Division, 501 W. Ocean Blvd. Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 
90802-4213.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard B. Stone, 301-713-2347; Kevin 
B. Foster, 508-281-9260; or Patricia J. Donley, 310-980-4033.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic tuna fisheries are managed 
under regulations at 50 CFR part 285 issued under the authority of 
ATCA. ATCA authorizes the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to 
implement regulations as may be necessary to carry out the 
recommendations of ICCAT. The authority to implement ICCAT 
recommendations has been delegated from the Secretary to the Assistant 
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA).

Purpose

    Parties to the Eighth Special Meeting of ICCAT held in Madrid, 
Spain, on November 8-12, 1992, adopted a recommendation to implement a 
statistical documentation program to collect more complete information 
on the catch of, and trade in, Atlantic bluefin tuna. That 
recommendation, which this proposed rule would implement, requires 
Contracting Parties to implement a statistical documentation program 
whereby any bluefin tuna imported into the territory of a Contracting 
Party or at the first entry into a regional economic organization must 
be accompanied by an appropriately completed BSD. The ICCAT 
recommendation is based on the need to improve the reliability of 
statistical information on worldwide harvests of bluefin tuna, 
particularly western Atlantic bluefin tuna, which is an overexploited 
stock.
    Without statistical documentation and differentiation with respect 
to ocean area of catch, ICCAT cannot determine the total harvest of 
Atlantic bluefin tuna. While the primary market for bluefin tuna is 
Japan, which is a member country of ICCAT, the origin of all bluefin 
tuna on the international market cannot be ascertained without 
documentation of the flag state of harvesting vessels and ocean areas 
of catch. Some vessels that harvest bluefin tuna are registered to 
nations not affiliated with ICCAT and are not subject to ICCAT quota 
constraints; some of these nations have difficulty in obtaining 
information on the catches of vessels under their flag and therefore do 
not report catches to ICCAT.
    The documentation requirement would facilitate accounting for all 
fresh or frozen shipments of bluefin tuna into Japan and other ICCAT 
countries, by both member and non-member ICCAT countries. This 
information would be used by ICCAT for Atlantic bluefin tuna stock 
assessments, to develop management policies, and to help determine 
compliance with its conservation program for Atlantic bluefin tuna.
    In addition to the proposed BSD requirement, NMFS proposes to 
require a Federal permit for each dealer who exports Pacific bluefin 
tuna. NMFS also proposes to require these dealers to complete a 
biweekly report on bluefin tuna exports and to affix a tag on all fresh 
or individually frozen Pacific bluefin tuna sold for export. When 
combined with the existing permitting and reporting requirements for 
Atlantic bluefin tuna dealers, this would give NMFS the ability to 
track all bluefin tuna shipments imported into, exported, or re-
exported from the United States.
    NMFS has determined that these additional requirements would bring 
the United States into compliance with the 1992 ICCAT recommendation 
that all bluefin tuna (Atlantic and Pacific) imported into ICCAT 
countries be required to be accompanied by a BSD. ICCAT has determined 
that inclusion of Pacific bluefin is necessary due to the similarity of 
appearance of the two subspecies. Without Pacific bluefin tuna dealer 
permits, bi-weekly reports and tags for exports, the United States 
could not assure compliance with the documentation requirement for 
Pacific bluefin.

Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document

    The proposed rule would require a completed, approved BSD as a 
condition for the import, export, or re-export of all bluefin tuna 
shipments into or from the United States. The BSD would be required to 
accompany each fresh or frozen shipment along with other shipping 
documentation ordinarily required for international trade. Consistent 
with the ICCAT recommendation and subsequent agreements with Japan and 
Canada, the BSD would be required for all bluefin tuna beginning June 
1, 1994.
    The BSD would be required for all fresh or frozen bluefin tuna 
products that are exported from or imported into the United States and 
identified by Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers for fresh or 
chilled bluefin tuna, excluding fillets and other fish meat--
0302.39.00.20; and frozen bluefin tuna, excluding fillets--
0303.49.00.20.

Contents of Document

    NMFS proposes to modify the FCO (NOAA Form 370) so that it can also 
serve as the BSD. Interested persons may obtain copies of the proposed 
combined form from NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
    In order to be considered appropriately completed, the approved BSD 
accompanying each shipment would have to provide all of the required 
information indicated in the proposed regulatory text for Sec. 285.202 
and be certified by the exporter, importer, and government official, as 
applicable.

Validation

    The completed, approved BSD would have to be validated by a 
responsible government official of the country whose flag vessel 
harvested the tuna regardless of where the bluefin tuna is first 
landed, unless the AA waives the validation requirement for that 
country because the AA finds, based on information from ICCAT, that: 
(1) All fresh or individually frozen bluefin tuna available for sale 
from that country are tagged, or included in an ICCAT-accepted logbook 
or ICCAT-accepted information retrieval system; (2) all information 
relating to the tag, the ICCAT-accepted logbook, or the ICCAT-accepted 
information retrieval system is compiled by the government of that 
country and includes the name of the country issuing the document, the 
name of the exporter and the importer, the name of the harvesting 
vessel and the area of harvest, the gear utilized, the type of product 
and total weight, and the point of export; and (3) the compiled 
information is provided in a timely fashion to ICCAT. Validation 
requirements would be waived for all but bulk-frozen shipments upon 
publication in the Federal Register of a finding and waiver by the AA.

Dolphin-Safe Tuna Designation

    Under the Marine Mammal Protection and International Dolphin 
Conservation Acts and their implementing regulations, only dolphin-safe 
tuna may be purchased, sold, transported, or shipped in the United 
States after June 1, 1994 (16 U.S.C. 1417). All shipments of tuna and 
tuna products, except fresh tuna, from all countries must be 
accompanied by an appropriately completed FCO (NOAA Form 370). As 
proposed to be revised, NOAA Form 370 would serve as an FCO/BSD and 
appropriately completing the form would satisfy both FCO requirements 
and, if bluefin tuna, BSD requirements.
    All fresh tuna and other fresh fish products are presumed to be 
captured by dolphin-safe methods and do not require an appropriately 
completed FCO (NOAA Form 370) for lawful importation to the United 
States. In addition, imports of certain fish and fish products other 
than tuna, except fresh fish, as specified at 50 CFR 216.24(e), from 
countries having registered vessels that use large-scale driftnets (no 
countries so designated at this time) must be accompanied by an 
appropriately completed FCO (NOAA Form 370). Although an FCO is not 
required for fresh tuna or any other fresh fish products, under the 
proposed rule an appropriately completed BSD (NOAA Form 370 as proposed 
to be revised) would be required for all bluefin tuna, fresh or frozen, 
that enters or exits the United States. Exhibit 1 below summarizes when 
a completed FCO or BSD, that is, an appropriately completed NOAA Form 
370, as proposed to be revised, is required.

     Exhibit 1.--Requirements for the Proposed Revised NOAA Form 370    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Certain other 
  Product form       Bluefin tuna       Other tunas           fish      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fresh............  Imports--BSD;      Not applicable..  Not applicable. 
                    Exports--BSD.                                       
Frozen...........  Imports--BSD/FCO;  Imports--FCO....  Imports from    
                    Exports--BSD.                        countries using
                                                         large-scale    
                                                         driftnets--FCO.
Canned...........  No HTS code for    Imports--FCO....  Imports from    
                    canned bluefin;                      countries using
                    requirements for                     large-scale    
                    other tunas                          driftnets--FCO.
                    apply.                                              
Any non-fresh      Exports--FCO.....  Exports--FCO....  Not applicable. 
 form labeled                                                           
 ``Dolphin-Safe''.                                                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Responsible Parties

    For the purposes of the exporter's certification, the exporter 
would be considered the person or company that first exported the 
shipment from the country where the fish is first landed.
    For the purposes of the importer's certification, intermediate 
country importer(s) would be the person(s) or company(ies) that 
transship(s) the product through an intermediate country(ies). An 
intermediate country would be a country from which bluefin tuna or 
bluefin tuna products that were previously imported (i.e., not 
harvested or landed) by that country are exported to the United States. 
An intermediate country for the purposes of these proposed 50 CFR part 
285 regulations is distinct from an intermediary nation as defined in 
section 3 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and its implementing 
regulations at 50 CFR part 216. Shipments of bluefin tuna or bluefin 
tuna products through a nation on a through bill of lading, or in any 
other manner that does not enter the products into that country's 
customs territory as an import, would not make that country an 
intermediate country under this definition.
    For the purposes of the importer's certification, the final 
destination importer would be the person or company that is the 
recipient of the product at its final destination (i.e., country of 
consumption).

Pacific Bluefin Tuna Dealer Requirements

Permit Requirements

    Dealers purchasing or receiving Pacific bluefin tuna for export 
would be required to possess a valid bluefin tuna dealer permit and 
comply with all applicable reporting requirements.

Tagging Requirements

    The proposed rule would require that identification tags be placed 
on all bluefin tuna, except bulk-frozen bluefin, landed by U.S. vessels 
and exported from the United States, regardless of ocean area of catch. 
Similar to the NMFS Northeast Region program for dealers purchasing 
Atlantic bluefin tuna, the Director, Southwest Region, NMFS (Regional 
Director) would issue numbered tags to each person receiving a dealer's 
permit for exporting Pacific bluefin tuna. Such tags would not be 
transferable. A dealer or agent would be required to affix a tag to 
each fresh or individually frozen Pacific bluefin tuna purchased, or 
received, for export, except bulk-frozen Pacific bluefin tuna, 
immediately upon its offloading from a vessel. The tag would be 
required to be affixed between the fifth dorsal finlet and the keel.
    Individual Pacific bluefin tuna carcasses that are landed in bulk-
frozen form would not be required to be tagged for export. A tagging 
requirement for individual fish frozen in bulk would be difficult to 
implement and enforce, and would require a drastic change in current 
handling practice. However, exported bulk-frozen shipments would be 
accompanied by a completed BSD.
    A tag affixed to any Pacific bluefin tuna would have to remain on 
the tuna until the tuna is cut into portions, which NMFS understands 
may occur on occasion. If the tuna or tuna parts subsequently are 
packaged for transport for domestic commercial use or for export, the 
tag number would be required to be written legibly and indelibly on the 
outside of any package or container. Tag numbers would be required to 
be recorded on any document accompanying shipment of bluefin tuna for 
U.S. commercial use or export.

Reporting Requirements

    Pacific bluefin tuna dealers would be exempted from the requirement 
at 50 CFR 285.29(a) to record and report bluefin tuna landings via the 
Daily Dealer Report Card. However, they would be required to submit 
biweekly reports on exports of bluefin tuna to the Regional Director. 
The report would have to be postmarked and mailed within 10 days after 
the end of each 2-week reporting period in which Pacific bluefin tuna 
were exported. The biweekly reporting periods would be defined as the 
first day to the fourteenth day of each month and the fifteenth day to 
the last day of the month. Each report would have to specify accurately 
and completely for each tuna or each shipment of bulk-frozen tuna 
exported: Date of landing or import; any tag number (if so tagged); and 
weight in pounds (specify if round or dressed).
    Dealers would be required to allow an authorized officer, or any 
employee of NMFS designated by the Regional Director for this purpose, 
to inspect and copy any records of transfers, purchases, or receipts of 
Pacific bluefin tuna. Finally, the dealer would be required to maintain 
a copy of each biweekly report for a period of 6 months from the date 
on which it was submitted to the Regional Director.

Ports of Entry

    To facilitate enforcement, the AA may, in the future, designate 
ports of entry. If ports of entry are designated, all bluefin tuna 
shipments entering the United States would be restricted to the 
designated ports of entry, which would be published in the Federal 
Register.

Enforcement

    Any fresh or frozen bluefin tuna product identified by the HTS item 
numbers referred to previously that is unaccompanied by a completed, 
approved BSD would be considered unlawful for importation into the 
United States. If the AA has designated ports of entry for shipments of 
bluefin tuna or bluefin tuna products, any shipment arriving at non-
designated ports of entry would be considered unlawful and the importer 
would be subject to penalties under ATCA.
    When a bluefin tuna is presented for entry into the customs 
territory of the United States and is found to be without a completed, 
approved BSD, U.S. Customs would suspend entry authorization, notify 
the importer of record of the documentation deficiency, notify NMFS 
enforcement agents of the deficiency, and offer the importer of record 
the opportunity to cure the defect. If the importer of record cannot 
cure the defect within 8 hours (justified by perishable nature of 
product), the importer could withdraw the product from U.S. Customs 
territory (i.e., re-export within 24 hours under Customs supervision); 
place the product into a bonded warehouse; post a bond to release the 
product; or abandon the product (Customs takes custody), whereupon the 
product would be disposed of under Customs laws and regulations, as 
long as that disposition does not result in its introduction into the 
United States.
    In the event the importer can cure the defect within 8 hours, the 
fish would be released for importation and no penalties would be 
incurred under ATCA. If, within 10 days of fish being placed into a 
bonded warehouse, the Regional Director notifies the District Director 
of Customs that complete, approved documentation for that fish has been 
received, the fish would be allowed to be entered into the United 
States; otherwise, it would be disposed of as allowed under Customs 
laws and regulations. If, within 10 days of fish being released under 
bond, the Regional Director does not receive complete, approved 
documentation for that fish, the importer or consignee would be 
notified to redeliver or cause to be redelivered to the District 
Director of Customs those fish that were released under bond. In the 
event that any such fish is not redelivered within 3 days following the 
notification, without impairment in value, liquidated damages would be 
assessed in the full amount of the bond given. The importer would 
remain liable for any expenses incurred in the storage and/or disposal 
of bluefin tuna refused admission under these regulations. In addition, 
if the fish is refused entry into the United States or if the importer 
abandons the product, the importer would be subject to the civil and 
criminal penalties and the forfeiture provisions provided for under 
ATCA.

Scenarios

    The following are five examples of use of the BSD under the 
proposed rule in which shipments of bluefin tuna are imported into and/
or exported from the United States:

1. Exports from a country for which the AA has not waived validation 
requirements:

    A BSD from a country for which the AA has not waived validation 
requirements would have to be validated by a responsible government 
official for that country. The export, exporter certification, and 
description of shipment (excluding the country-issued tag number) 
sections on the BSD would be completed by the exporter. The exporter 
then would submit the original of the BSD for validation by the 
designated government official. A copy would be submitted to the 
domestic fisheries agency and the original BSD would accompany the 
shipment into the United States.
    If the U.S. importer re-exports the fish, the import section 
(naming the United States as the intermediate country) and the 
importer's certification section of the BSD would be completed by the 
importer. The original BSD, with the importer's entries and 
certification, would accompany the shipment to the final destination, 
and a completed copy would be submitted to NMFS within 24 hours of the 
time of re-export.
    If the U.S. importer sells the fish for consumption in the domestic 
market, the import section (naming a United States state and city as 
the final point of import) and the importer's certification section of 
the BSD would be completed by the importer. The original BSD with the 
importer's entries and certification would be submitted to NMFS within 
24 hours of the time of import.

2. Exports from a country for which the AA has waived validation 
requirements:

    If the AA has waived validation requirements for a country, a BSD, 
except for bulk-frozen shipments, would not have to be validated by a 
government official of that country. The export, exporter's 
certification, and description of shipment (excluding the country-
issued tag number) sections on the BSD would be completed by the 
exporter. A copy would be submitted to the domestic fisheries agency 
and the original BSD would accompany the shipment into the United 
States.
    If the U.S. importer re-exports the fish, the import section 
(naming the United States as the intermediate country) and the 
importer's certification section of the BSD would be completed by the 
importer. The original BSD with the importer's entries and 
certification would accompany the shipment to the final destination, 
and a completed copy would be submitted to NMFS within 24 hours of the 
time of re-export.
    If the U.S. importer sells the fish for consumption in the domestic 
market, the import section (naming a United States state and city as 
the final point of import) and the importer's certification section of 
the BSD would be completed by the importer. The original BSD with the 
importer's entries and certification would be submitted to NMFS within 
24 hours of the time of import.

3. Export of U.S.-caught bluefin tuna:

    Since the United States has a tagging requirement for individually 
exported Atlantic bluefin tuna, and this proposed rule would implement 
such a tagging requirement for Pacific bluefin tuna exported from the 
United States, the BSD would not have to be validated by a government 
official (except for bulk-frozen shipments, which would not be tagged 
and would be accompanied by a validated BSD). The export, exporter 
certification, and description of shipment (including the country-coded 
tag number) sections on the BSD would be completed by the exporter. The 
original BSD with the exporter's entries and certification would 
accompany the shipment to the final destination, and a completed copy 
would be submitted to NMFS within 24 hours of the time of export.

4. Import of bulk-frozen shipments to the United States:

    For a bulk-frozen import, the export, exporter's certification, and 
description of shipment (excluding the country-issued tag number) 
sections on the BSD would be completed by the foreign exporter. The 
exporter would then submit the BSD to a responsible government official 
of the country of the flag vessel harvesting the tuna for validation, 
even if validation requirements have been otherwise waived for that 
country. The exporter would then submit and/or retain copies of the 
document as required by the regulations of the country, and the 
original document would accompany the shipment into the United States.
    If the U.S. importer re-exports the fish, the import section 
(naming the United States as the intermediate country) and the 
importer's certification section of the BSD would be completed by the 
importer. The original BSD with the importer's entries and 
certification would accompany the shipment to the final destination, 
and a completed copy would be submitted to NMFS within 24 hours of the 
time of re-export.
    If the U.S. importer sells the fish for consumption in the domestic 
market, the import section (naming a U.S. state and city as the final 
point of import) and the importer's certification section of the BSD 
would be completed by the importer. The original BSD with the 
importer's entries and certification would be submitted to NMFS within 
24 hours of the time of import.

5. Export of bulk-frozen shipments from the United States:

    For a bulk-frozen export, the export, exporter's certification, and 
description of shipment (excluding the country-issued tag number) 
sections on the BSD would be completed by the U.S. exporter. The 
exporter would submit the original to the designated NMFS official for 
validation, then submit a copy of the completed document to NMFS (see 
ADDRESSES) within 24 hours of the time of export. The original 
completed document would accompany the shipment to any intermediate 
countries, if applicable, and to the country of final destination.

Classification

    This proposed rule is published under the authority of the ATCA, 16 
U.S.C. 971 et seq. The AA has preliminarily determined that this 
proposed rule is necessary to implement the recommendation of ICCAT and 
is necessary for management of the bluefin tuna fisheries.
    The General Counsel of the Department of Commerce has certified to 
the Small Business Administration that this proposed rule, if adopted, 
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities because the estimated annual cost to all respondents in 
the aggregate would be less than $56,000. Approximately 230 bluefin 
dealers would be affected. This proposed rule has been determined to be 
not significant for purposes of E.O. 12866.
    This proposed rule contains new and revised collection-of-
information requirements subject to review under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act. It modifies and renews requirements that were approved 
by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB control numbers 
0648-0040, 0648-0204 and 0648-0239. The public reporting burden for 
completing an application for a Federal permit for dealers that export 
or re-export Pacific bluefin tuna is estimated at 0.08 hours (5 
minutes) per response. The public reporting burden for these dealers 
for collection-of-information on dealer reports is estimated at 0.20 
hours (12 minutes) per response for the biweekly dealer reports and 
affixing tags, and 0.33 hours (20 minutes) per response for all bluefin 
tuna dealers for completing a BSD. These estimates include the time for 
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Send comments regarding these burden 
estimates or any other aspects of these collections of information, 
including suggestions for reducing the burden, to NMFS (see ADDRESSES) 
and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project 
(0648-0040), Washington, D.C. 20503.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 285

    Fisheries, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Treaties.

    Dated: June 10, 1994.
Charles Karnella,
Acting Program Management Officer, National Marine Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 50 CFR part 285 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 285--ATLANTIC TUNA FISHERIES

    1. The authority citation for part 285 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.

    2. In Sec. 285.2, definitions of ``bluefin tuna'', ``intermediate 
country'', and ``Pacific bluefin tuna'' are added in alphabetical 
order; the definition of ``Atlantic bluefin tuna'' is revised; in the 
definition of ``owner'', paragraphs (a) through (c) are redesignated 
paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively; and in the definition of 
``Regional Director'', paragraphs (a) and (b) are redesignated 
paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively, and redesignated paragraph (1) is 
revised to read as follows:


Sec. 285.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
     Atlantic bluefin tuna means the subspecies of bluefin tuna Thunnus 
thynnus thynnus that is found in the Atlantic Ocean. Size classes for 
Atlantic bluefin tuna are defined in Sec. 285.26.
* * * * *
     Bluefin tuna means the fish species Thunnus thynnus that is found 
in any ocean area.
* * * * *
    Intermediate country means a country from which bluefin tuna or 
bluefin tuna products that were previously imported by that nation are 
exported to the United States. Shipments of bluefin tuna or bluefin 
tuna products through a country on a through bill of lading or in 
another manner that does not enter the shipments into that country as 
an importation do not make that country an intermediate country under 
this definition.
* * * * *
    Pacific bluefin tuna means the subspecies of bluefin tuna Thunnus 
thynnus orientalis that is found in the Pacific Ocean.
* * * * *
    Regional Director means
    (1) For the purposes of Atlantic bluefin dealers, the Director, 
Northeast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, One Blackburn 
Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-3799; and for the purposes of Pacific 
bluefin dealers, the Director, Southwest Region, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 501 W. Ocean Blvd. Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-
4213.
* * * * *
    3. In Sec. 285.30, the section heading and paragraph (d) are 
revised to read as follows:


Sec. 285.30  Tags.

* * * * *
    (d) Removal of tags. A tag affixed to any Atlantic bluefin tuna 
under paragraph (c)(1) of this section or under Sec. 285.202(a)(5)(ii) 
must remain on the tuna until the tuna is cut into portions. If the 
tuna or tuna parts subsequently are packaged for transport for domestic 
commercial use or for export, the tag number must be written legibly 
and indelibly on the outside of any package or container. Tag numbers 
must be recorded on any document accompanying shipment of bluefin tuna 
for commercial use or export.
    4. In Sec. 285.31, paragraph (a)(19) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 285.31  Prohibitions.

    (a) * * *
    (19) Remove any tag affixed to an Atlantic bluefin tuna under 
Sec. 285.30(c)(1) or under Sec. 285.202(a)(5)(ii), before removal is 
allowed under Sec. 285.30(d), or fail to write the tag number on the 
shipping package or container as prescribed by that section;
* * * * *
    5. New subparts F and G are added to part 285 to read as follows:

Subpart F--Pacific Bluefin Tuna

    Sec.
    285.150 Dealer permits.
    285.151 Dealer recordkeeping and reporting.
    285.152 Tags.
    285.153 Prohibitions.

Subpart G--Bluefin Tuna Statistical Documentation

    285.200 Species subject to statistical documentation requirements.
    285.201 Documentation requirements.
    285.202 Contents of documentation.
    285.203 Waiver of validation requirements.
    285.204 Enforcement.
    285.205 Ports of entry.
    285.206 Prohibitions.

Subpart F--Pacific Bluefin Tuna


Sec. 285.150  Dealer permits.

    (a) General. A dealer purchasing, or receiving, Pacific bluefin 
tuna for export must have a valid permit issued under this section.
    (b) Application. A dealer must apply for a permit in writing on an 
appropriate form obtained from the Regional Director. The application 
must be signed by the dealer and be submitted to the Regional Director 
at least 30 days before the date upon which the dealer desires to have 
the permit made effective. The application must contain the following 
information: Company name, principal place of business, owner or 
owners' names, applicant's name (if different from owner or owners) and 
mailing address and telephone number, and any other information 
required by the Regional Director.
    (c) Issuance. (1) Except as provided in subpart D of 15 CFR part 
904, the Regional Director will issue a permit within 30 days of 
receipt of a completed application.
    (2) The Regional Director will notify the applicant of any 
deficiency in the application. If the applicant fails to correct the 
deficiency within 15 days following the date of notification, the 
application will be considered abandoned.
    (d) Duration. Any permit issued under this section is valid until 
December 31 of the year for which it is issued, unless suspended or 
revoked.
    (e) Alteration. Any permit that is substantially altered, erased, 
or mutilated is invalid.
    (f) Replacement. The Regional Director may issue replacement 
permits. An application for a replacement permit is not considered a 
new application.
    (g) Transfer. A permit issued under this section is not 
transferable or assignable; it is valid only for the dealer to whom it 
is issued.
    (h) Inspection. The dealer must keep the permit issued under this 
section at his/her principal place of business. The permit must be 
displayed for inspection upon request of any authorized officer, or any 
employee of NMFS designated by the Regional Director for such purpose.
    (i) Sanctions. The Assistant Administrator may suspend, revoke, 
modify, or deny a permit issued or sought under this section. 
Procedures governing permit sanctions and denials are found at subpart 
D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (j) Fees. The Regional Director may charge a fee to recover the 
administrative expenses of permit issuance. The amount of the fee is 
calculated, at least annually, in accordance with the procedures of the 
NOAA Finance Handbook for determining administrative costs of each 
special product or service. The fee may not exceed such costs and is 
specified on each application form. The appropriate fee must accompany 
each application. Failure to pay the fee will preclude issuance of the 
permit. Payment by a commercial instrument later determined to be 
insufficiently funded shall invalidate any permit.
    (k) Change in application information. Within 15 days after any 
change in the information contained in an application submitted under 
this section, the dealer issued a permit must report the change to the 
Regional Director in writing. The permit is void if any change in 
information is not reported within 15 days.


Sec. 285.151  Dealer recordkeeping and reporting.

    Any person issued a dealer permit under Sec. 285.150:
    (a) Must submit to the Regional Director a biweekly report on 
bluefin exports on forms supplied by NMFS.
    (1) The report required by this paragraph (a) must be postmarked 
and mailed within 10 days after the end of each 2-week reporting period 
in which Pacific bluefin tuna were exported. The biweekly reporting 
periods are defined as the first day to the fourteenth day of each 
month and the fifteenth day to the last day of the month.
    (2) Each report must specify accurately and completely for each 
tuna or each shipment of bulk-frozen tuna exported: Date of landing or 
import; any tag number (if so tagged); weight in pounds (specify if 
round or dressed); and any other information required by the Regional 
Director. At the top of each form, the company's name, license number, 
and the name of the person filling out the report must be specified. In 
addition, the beginning and ending dates of the 2-week reporting period 
must be specified by the dealer and noted at the top of the form.
    (b) Must allow an authorized officer, or any employee of NMFS 
designated by the Regional Director for this purpose, to inspect and 
copy any records of transfers, purchases, or receipts of Pacific 
bluefin tuna.
    (c) Must retain at his/her place of business a copy of each 
biweekly report for a period of 6 months from the date on which it was 
submitted to the Regional Director.


Sec. 285.152  Tags.

    (a) Issuance of tags. The Regional Director will issue numbered 
tags to each person receiving a dealer's permit under Sec. 285.150.
    (b) Transfer of tags. Tags issued under this section are not 
transferable.
    (c) Affixing tags. A dealer or agent must affix a tag to each fresh 
or individually frozen Pacific bluefin tuna purchased or received for 
export, except bulk-frozen Pacific bluefin tuna purchased or received 
for export, prior to its packaging for export. The tag must be affixed 
between the fifth dorsal finlet and the keel.
    (d) Removal of tags. A tag affixed to any Pacific bluefin tuna 
under Sec. 285.152(c) or under Sec. 285.201(a)(5)(ii) must remain on 
the tuna until the tuna is cut into portions. If the tuna or tuna parts 
subsequently are packaged for transport for domestic commercial use or 
for export, the tag number must be written legibly and indelibly on the 
outside of any package or container. Tag numbers must be recorded on 
any document accompanying shipment of bluefin tuna for commercial use 
or export.


Sec. 285.153  Prohibitions.

    It is unlawful for any person or vessel subject to the jurisdiction 
of the United States to:
    (a) Purchase or receive Pacific bluefin tuna for export without a 
valid dealer permit issued under Sec. 285.100.
    (b) Fail to affix an individually numbered bluefin tuna 
identification tag as specified in Sec. 285.152.
    (c) Remove any tag affixed to a Pacific bluefin tuna under 
Sec. 285.152(c) or under Sec. 285.201(a)(5)(ii), before removal is 
allowed under Sec. 285.152(d), or fail to write the tag number on the 
shipping package or container as specified in Sec. 285.152(d).
    (d) Falsify or fail to make, keep, maintain, or submit any reports 
or other record required by this subpart.
    (e) Refuse to allow an authorized officer or employee of NMFS 
designated by the Regional Director to make inspections for the purpose 
of checking any records relating to the catching, harvesting, landing, 
purchase, or sale of any Pacific bluefin tuna required of this subpart.
    (f) Make any false statement, oral or written, to an authorized 
officer or employee of NMFS designated by the Regional Director to make 
inspections concerning the catching, harvesting, landing, purchase, 
sale, or transfer of any Pacific bluefin tuna.

Subpart G--Bluefin Tuna Statistical Documentation


Sec. 285.200  Species subject to statistical documentation 
requirements.

    Imports into the United States and exports or re-exports from the 
United States of bluefin tuna or bluefin tuna products identified by 
the following item numbers from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule are 
subject to the documentation requirements of Sec. 285.201:
    (a) Fresh or chilled bluefin tuna, excluding fillets and other fish 
meat, No. 0302.39.00.20.
    (b) Frozen bluefin tuna, excluding fillets, No. 0303.49.00.20.


Sec. 285.201  Documentation requirements.

    (a) Bluefin imports. (1) Dealers importing bluefin tuna into the 
United States beginning June 1, 1994, must obtain from the shipment of 
tuna upon its receipt a completed approved Bluefin Tuna Statistical 
Document with the information and exporter's certification specified in 
Sec. 285.202(a)(1) through (7). Such information must be validated as 
specified in Sec. 285.202(a)(8) by a responsible government official of 
the country whose flag vessel caught the tuna (regardless of where the 
fish are first landed), unless the Assistant Administrator has waived 
validation requirements for the country pursuant to Sec. 285.203 and 
such shipment is not frozen in bulk but is comprised of fresh or 
individually frozen bluefin tuna.
    (2) Bluefin tuna imported into the United States from a country 
requiring a tag on all such tuna available for sale must be accompanied 
by the appropriate tag issued by that country, and said tag must remain 
on any tuna until it reaches its final point of import. If the point of 
final import is the United States, the tag must remain on the tuna 
until it is cut into portions. If the tuna portions are subsequently 
packaged for domestic commercial use or export, the tag number and the 
issuing country must be written legibly and indelibly on the outside of 
the package.
    (3) Dealers selling bluefin tuna that was previously imported into 
the United States for domestic commercial use in the United States must 
provide on the Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document the correct 
information and importer's certification specified in 
Sec. 285.202(a)(4) and (9). The original of the completed Bluefin Tuna 
Statistical Document must be submitted to the Regional Director within 
24 hours of the time the tuna was imported into the United States.
    (b) Bluefin exports. (1) Dealers exporting bluefin tuna that was 
harvested by U.S. vessels and first landed in the United States must 
provide on the Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document the correct 
information and exporter certification specified in Sec. 285.202(a)(1) 
through (7). If such tuna is frozen in bulk (not individually tagged 
pursuant to Sec. 285.152), such information must be validated as 
specified in Sec. 285.202(a)(8) by an official of the U.S. Government 
authorized to validate Bluefin Tuna Statistical Documents. A list of 
such officials may be obtained by contacting the Office of Fisheries 
Conservation and Management, NMFS, Silver Spring, MD (301-713-2347), or 
the nearest NMFS Enforcement Office. NMFS Enforcement Offices are 
located at: Portland, ME (207-780-3241); Otis Air Force Base, MA (508-
563-5721); Brielle, NJ (908-528-3315); Atlantic Beach, NC (919-247-
4549); Brunswick, GA (912-265-0108); Miami, FL (305-361-4224); St. 
Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (809-774-5226); San Juan, Puerto Rico (809-
782-8686); St. Petersburg, FL (813-893-3145); St. Joseph, FL (904-227-
1879); Corpus Christi, TX (512-888-3362); Juneau, AK (907-586-7225); 
Anchorage, AK (907-271-5006); Dutch Harbor, AK (907-581-2061); Seattle, 
WA (206-526-6133); and Los Angeles, CA (310-980-4050). The original of 
the completed Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document must accompany the 
shipment of tuna to its export destination. A copy of the completed 
Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document must be submitted to the Regional 
Director within 24 hours of the time of export.
    (2) U.S. dealers re-exporting bluefin tuna that was previously 
imported into the United States must provide on the Bluefin Tuna 
Statistical Document the correct information and intermediate 
importer's certification specified in Sec. 285.202(a)(9). The original 
of the completed Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document must accompany the 
shipment of bluefin tuna to its re-export destination. A copy of the 
completed Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document must be submitted to the 
Regional Director within 24 hours of the time the tuna was re-exported 
from the United States.
    (c) Dealers must retain at their place of business a copy of each 
Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document required to be submitted to the 
Regional Director pursuant to this section for a period of 6 months 
from the date on which it was submitted to the Regional Director.


Sec. 285.202  Contents of documentation.

    (a) A Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document, to be deemed complete, 
must:
    (1) Have a document number assigned by the country issuing the 
document;
    (2) State the name of the country issuing the document, which is 
the country whose flag vessel harvested the bluefin tuna, regardless of 
where the tuna is first landed;
    (3) State the exporter and point of export, which is the city, 
state or province, and country from which the bluefin tuna is first 
exported;
    (4) State the importer and point of import, which is the city, 
state or province, and country into which the bluefin tuna is first 
imported;
    (5) State the following specified information about the shipment:
    (i) U.S. Tariff Schedule Number and species description;
    (ii) The identifying tag number, if landed by vessels from 
countries with tagging programs;
    (iii) The product type (fresh or frozen) and product form (round, 
dressed, fillet);
    (iv) The weight of each fish (in kilograms for same product form 
previously specified);
    (v) The ocean area where caught (by region, e.g., Western 
Atlantic);
    (vi) The method of fishing (purse seine, trap, rod & reel, etc.);
    (vii) The flag state of the vessel that harvested the bluefin;
    (viii) The fishing trip dates; and
    (ix) The name of the vessel that caught the fish;
    (6) If frozen, have the appropriate box checked to indicate that 
the bluefin tuna was captured in a manner that is dolphin-safe as 
defined under 50 CFR part 247;
    (7) State the name and license number of, and be signed and dated 
in the exporter's certification block by, the exporter;
    (8) If applicable, state the name and title of, and be signed and 
dated in the government's validation block by, the responsible 
government official of the country whose flag vessel caught the tuna 
(regardless of where the tuna are first landed), with official 
government seal affixed, thus validating the information on the Bluefin 
Tuna Statistical Document; and
    (9) As applicable, state the name(s) and address(es), including the 
name of the city and state or province of import, and the name(s) of 
the intermediate country(ies) or the name of the country of final 
destination, and license number(s) of, and be signed and dated in the 
importer's certification block by, each intermediate and the final 
importer.
    (b) An approved Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document (NOAA Form 370) 
may be obtained from the Regional Director to accompany exports of 
bluefin tuna from the United States. Bluefin tuna dealers in countries 
that do not provide an approved Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document to 
exporters may obtain an approved Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document 
(NOAA Form 370) from the Regional Director to accompany exports to the 
United States.
    (c) A country exporting bluefin tuna to the United States may use 
the approved Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document (NOAA Form 370) 
obtainable from the Regional Director or its own document, if that 
country submits a copy to the Assistant Administrator and the Assistant 
Administrator determines that the document meets the information 
requirements of this section. In such case, the Assistant Administrator 
will publish a finding to that effect and an approval of the document 
in the Federal Register. Effective upon the date of publication of such 
finding in the Federal Register, shipments of bluefin tuna or bluefin 
tuna products offered for importation from said country may be 
accompanied by either that country's approved Bluefin Tuna Statistical 
Document or by the Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document provided to the 
exporter by the Regional Director.


Sec. 285.203  Waiver of validation requirements.

    (a) The approved Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document accompanying any 
import of bluefin tuna that is not frozen in bulk from any country, 
whether or not that country is a member of ICCAT, is not required to be 
validated by a government official from that country if the Assistant 
Administrator waives the validation requirement for that country. Such 
a waiver does not apply to shipments of tuna frozen in bulk.
    (b) The Assistant Administrator shall publish such finding and 
waiver in the Federal Register upon finding that:
    (1) All fresh or individually frozen bluefin tuna available for 
sale from a country are tagged, or included in an ICCAT-accepted 
logbook or ICCAT-accepted information retrieval system;
    (2) All information relating to the tag, the ICCAT-accepted 
logbook, or the ICCAT-accepted information retrieval system is compiled 
by the government of that country and includes the name of the country 
issuing the document, the name of the exporter and the importer, the 
name of the harvesting vessel and the area of harvest, the gear 
utilized, the type of product and total weight, and the point of 
export; and
    (3) The compiled information is provided in a timely fashion to 
ICCAT.


Sec. 285.204  Enforcement.

    (a) Bluefin tuna refused entry. If a shipment containing bluefin 
tuna or bluefin tuna products is denied entry under the provisions of 
Sec. 285.200, the District Director of Customs shall refuse to release 
the fish for entry into the United States and shall issue a notice of 
such refusal to the importer or consignee, and to NMFS Enforcement.
    (b) Disposition of bluefin tuna not accompanied by required 
documentation. (1) Bluefin tuna that is offered for importation without 
the required Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document must be either:
    (i) Exported under Customs supervision within 24 hours;
    (ii) Released under bond as provided for in paragraph (c) of this 
section;
    (iii) Placed in a bonded warehouse; or
    (iv) Disposed of under Customs laws and regulations, as long as 
that disposition does not result in its introduction into the United 
States.
    (2) The importer remains liable for any expenses incurred in the 
storage and/or disposal of bluefin tuna refused admission under these 
regulations. If, within 24 hours of fish being placed in a bonded 
warehouse, the Regional Director notifies the District Director of 
Customs that approved documentation for that fish has been received, 
the fish will be allowed to be entered into the United States; 
otherwise it will be disposed of as set out in paragraph (b)(1)(i) or 
paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section.
    (c) Release under bond. (1) Bluefin tuna or bluefin tuna products 
not accompanied or covered by the required documentation or 
certification when offered for entry may be entered into the United 
States if the importer or consignee gives a bond on Customs Form 7551, 
7553, or 7595 for the production of the required documentation or 
certification. The bond shall be in the amount required under 19 CFR 
25.4(a).
    (2) Within 24 hours after such Customs entry, or such additional 
period as the District Director of Customs may allow for good cause 
shown, the importer or consignee shall deliver an original or copy, as 
required, of the Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document to the Regional 
Director, who will notify the District Director of Customs that the 
fish is covered by an approved Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document. If 
such notification is not delivered to the District Director of Customs 
for the port of entry of such fish within 24 hours of the time of 
Customs entry or such additional period as may have been allowed by the 
District Director of Customs for good cause shown, the importer or 
consignee shall, by a specified date, redeliver or cause to be 
redelivered to the District Director of Customs those fish that were 
released in accordance with this paragraph (c).
    (3) In the event that any such fish is not redelivered without 
impairment in value by the date specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section, liquidated damages shall be assessed in the full amount of 
bond given on Form 7551. When the transaction has been charged against 
a bond given on Form 7553 or 7595, liquidated damages shall be assessed 
in the amount that would have been demanded under this paragraph (c)(3) 
under a bond given on Form 7551.
    (4) Fish released for entry into the United States through use of 
the bonding procedure provided in this paragraph (c) shall be subject 
to the civil and criminal penalties and the forfeiture provisions 
provided for under the Act if the required Bluefin Tuna Statistical 
Document is not delivered to the Regional Director within 24 hours of 
the time of Customs entry, or such additional period as may have been 
allowed by the District Director of Customs for good cause shown.
    (5) Fish refused entry into the United States shall also be subject 
to the civil and criminal penalties and the forfeiture provisions 
provided for under the Act.


Sec. 285.205  Ports of entry.

    The Assistant Administrator shall monitor the importation of 
bluefin tuna into the United States. If the Assistant Administrator 
determines that the diversity of handling practices at certain ports at 
which bluefin tuna is being imported into the United States allow for 
circumvention of the Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document requirement, he/
she may designate, after consultation with the U.S. Customs Service, 
those ports at which Pacific or Atlantic bluefin tuna may be imported 
into the United States. The Assistant Administrator shall announce in 
the Federal Register the names of ports so designated.


Sec. 285.206  Prohibitions.

    It is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
    (a) Import or attempt to import any bluefin tuna into the United 
States without an accompanying approved Bluefin Tuna Statistical 
Document correctly completed with the appropriate certification.
    (b) Import any bluefin tuna into the United States from a country 
that requires all such tuna to be tagged, without said tag accompanying 
the bluefin tuna.
    (c) Remove a tag from any bluefin tuna imported into the United 
States accompanied by a tag, prior to its being cut into portions for a 
destination in the United States or for export.
    (d) Fail to write legibly and indelibly, on the outside of any 
package containing a part or parts of a bluefin tuna that was imported 
into the United States accompanied by a tag, the tag number and the 
issuing country.
    (e) Export or re-export from the United States any bluefin tuna 
without an accompanying approved Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document 
correctly completed with the appropriate certification.
    (f) Fail to provide in a timely manner any copies of Bluefin Tuna 
Statistical Documents required to be submitted to the Regional Director 
pursuant to Sec. 285.201.
    (g) Falsify or modify any Bluefin Tuna Statistical Document 
required by this subpart.
    (h) Fail to maintain any copies of a Bluefin Tuna Statistical 
Document that is required by Sec. 285.202.
    (i) Import any Pacific or Atlantic bluefin tuna at any port other 
than a port designated pursuant to Sec. 285.205.
[FR Doc. 94-14664 Filed 6-13-94; 4:43 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F-P