[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 6 (Monday, January 11, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 1602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-530]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 122498A]


Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals; Yellowfin Tuna Imports

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

ACTION: Notification of affirmative finding.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Government of Spain has submitted 
documentation establishing that it continues to be in compliance with 
the requirements of the yellowfin tuna importation regulations for 
nations that have acted to ban purse seine sets on marine mammals in 
the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP). The Assistant Administrator 
for Fisheries (Assistant Administrator) has made an affirmative finding 
that will allow yellowfin tuna and tuna products harvested by vessels 
of Spain to be imported into the United States through December 31, 
1999.

DATES: The affirmative finding for Spain is effective January 1, 1999, 
and remains in effect through December 31, 1999, unless revoked.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cathy Eisele (phone 301-713-2322; fax 
301-713-4060); or Allison Routt (phone 562-980-4019; fax 562-980-4027.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS regulations provide for the Assistant 
Administrator to make an affirmative finding for any nation that 
prohibits its vessels from intentionally setting purse seine nets on 
marine mammals (50 CFR 216.24(e)(5)). With an affirmative finding, 
yellowfin tuna and products derived from yellowfin tuna harvested in 
the ETP by that nation's purse seine vessels may be imported into the 
United States. The Assistant Administrator made such a finding at the 
end of 1997 for Spain.
    On October 23 and December 3, 1998, the Government of Spain 
submitted reports on the activities of its purse seine vessels in the 
ETP during 1998. The reports indicate that one vessel intentionally set 
on marine mammals during the course of fishing for yellowfin tuna. As a 
result, Spain automatically entered into a 180-day probationary status, 
beginning on June 7, 1998, as required under 50 CFR 216.24(e)(5)(xi). 
No additional marine mammal sets were made during the 180-day 
probationary period, which ended on December 3, 1998. This information 
has been verified by observer reports from the Inter-American Tropical 
Tuna Commission. On December 24, 1998, after consultation with the 
Department of State, the Assistant Administrator determined that the 
Republic of Spain had submitted acceptable documentary evidence that 
its regulatory program continues to comply with the yellowfin tuna 
import regulations. As a result of this affirmative finding, yellowfin 
tuna and products derived from yellowfin tuna harvested in the ETP by 
Spanish-flag purse seine vessels may be imported into the United States 
through December 31, 1999.

    Dated: January 5, 1999.
Hilda Diaz-Soltero,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-530 Filed 1-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F