[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 83 (Thursday, April 30, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 24250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10151]



[[Page 24250]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD877


Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals

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

ACTION: Notice; affirmative finding 2-year renewal.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant 
Administrator) has issued an affirmative finding 2-year renewal for the 
Government of Ecuador under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). 
This affirmative finding 2-year renewal will allow yellowfin tuna and 
yellowfin tuna products harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean 
(ETP) in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program 
(IDCP) by Ecuadorian-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels 
operating under Ecuadorian jurisdiction to be imported into the United 
States. The affirmative finding 2-year renewal was based on review of 
documentary evidence submitted by the Government of Ecuador and 
obtained from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).

DATES: The affirmative finding 2-year renewal is effective for the 2-
year period of April 1, 2013 (retroactive) through March 31, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Justin Greenman, West Coast Region, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 
90802. Phone: 562-980-3264 Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MMPA, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., allows for 
importation into the United States of yellowfin tuna harvested by purse 
seine vessels in the ETP under certain conditions. If requested by the 
harvesting nation, the Assistant Administrator will determine whether 
to make an affirmative finding based upon documentary evidence provided 
by the government of the harvesting nation, the IATTC, or the 
Department of State.
    The affirmative finding process requires that the harvesting nation 
is meeting its obligations under the IDCP and obligations of membership 
in the IATTC. Every 5 years, the government of the harvesting nation 
must request a new affirmative finding and submit the required 
documentary evidence directly to the Assistant Administrator. On an 
annual basis, NMFS reviews the affirmative finding and determines 
whether the harvesting nation continues to meet the requirements. A 
nation may provide information related to compliance with IDCP and 
IATTC measures directly to NMFS on an annual basis or may authorize the 
IATTC to release the information to NMFS to annually renew an 
affirmative finding determination without an application from the 
harvesting nation.
    An affirmative finding will be terminated, in consultation with the 
Secretary of State, if the Assistant Administrator determines that the 
requirements of 50 CFR 216.24(f) are no longer being met or that a 
nation is consistently failing to take enforcement actions on 
violations, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of the IDCP.
    As a part of the affirmative finding process set forth in 50 CFR 
216.24(f), the Assistant Administrator considered documentary evidence 
submitted by the Government of Ecuador and obtained from the IATTC and 
has determined that Ecuador has met the MMPA's requirements to receive 
an affirmative finding 2-year renewal.
    After consultation with the Department of State, the Assistant 
Administrator issued an affirmative finding 2-year renewal to Ecuador, 
allowing the continued importation into the United States of yellowfin 
tuna and products derived from yellowfin tuna harvested in the ETP by 
Ecuadorian-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating 
under Ecuadorian jurisdiction for the 2-year period of April 1, 2013 
(retroactive) through March 31, 2015. Ecuador's 5-year affirmative 
finding will remain valid through March 31, 2015.

    Dated: April 24, 2015.
Eileen Sobeck,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-10151 Filed 4-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P