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.
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Key Dates
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