Tuna Treaty Paperwork Renewal Opens for Comment
Published Date: 6/11/2026
Notice
Summary
NOAA is asking for public feedback on renewing its info collection from U.S. tuna fishing boats operating in Pacific Island waters. This helps track fishing activity under an important treaty and keeps things fair and legal. Comments are open until August 10, 2026, and this process doesn’t add new costs but keeps the system running smoothly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory reporting for U.S. tuna vessels
If you operate a U.S. purse seine tuna vessel fishing under the South Pacific Tuna Treaty, you must submit annual vessel license and registration (including vessel monitoring system (VMS) unit registration) and periodic written catch and unloading reports to NOAA/FFA. This information collection is mandatory under the South Pacific Tuna Act and U.S. regulations (50 CFR part 300, subpart D) and is used to meet U.S. Treaty obligations for fishing in Pacific Island Parties' EEZs.
Estimated time and dollar burden on operators
NOAA estimates this collection affects 20 respondents, totaling 222 annual burden hours and $119,626 in recordkeeping/reporting costs to the public. Estimated time per response ranges from 15 minutes (renewal) up to 2 hours (expression of interest), with license and catch reports estimated at 1 hour each and VMS registration at 45 minutes.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-07536, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America
Starting April 20, 2026, NOAA is setting new rules for companies doing geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America to protect marine mammals. These rules let companies get permission to accidentally disturb marine mammals but require them to minimize harm and report what they find. This plan lasts five years and helps balance ocean research with saving sea life.
2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-19182, Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hardbottom Habitats of the South Atlantic and the Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic Region; Amendments 11/12
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council wants to open a new shrimp fishing area near the Oculina Bank coral habitat where rock shrimp trawling is now banned. This change aims to bring back historic shrimp fishing spots while protecting deep-water corals. Shrimp fishers and coral conservationists should weigh in by November 17, 2026, as this could impact fishing access and the environment.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-11777, Foreign-Trade Zone 124; Application for Expansion of Subzone 124D; LOOP LLC; St. James, Louisiana
LOOP LLC in St. James, Louisiana, wants to grow their Foreign-Trade Zone by adding 41.5 acres next to their current site. This expansion could boost local business without changing what they produce right now. People have until July 21, 2026, to share their thoughts, so don’t miss your chance to speak up!
Next: 2026-11779, Administrative Disaster Declaration of a Rural Area for the State of Idaho
A big windstorm hit rural parts of Idaho in December 2025, causing damage to homes and businesses in Idaho and Shoshone counties. The government declared a disaster, so affected folks can now apply for low-interest loans to fix up their properties or cover lost income. You’ve got until August 7, 2026, to apply for physical damage loans and until March 8, 2027, for economic injury loans—so don’t wait!