NOAA International Fisheries Regulations

The United States participates in a dozen international fisheries management agreements — treaties and conventions that set catch limits, closed seasons, observer requirements, and documentation systems for species that migrate across national boundaries. 50 CFR Part 300 translates those international commitments into domestic law, binding U.S. vessels and importers to rules set by commissions ranging from the Pacific tuna bodies to the Antarctic marine living resources convention. The regulations govern everything from the permits a tuna longliner must carry in the Western Pacific to the documentation required for every shipment of Chilean sea bass entering the U.S. market.

Current Rule (2026)

What This Rule Does

At its core, 50 CFR Part 300 is a compliance bridge — it takes binding decisions made by international fisheries commissions and turns them into permit requirements, record-keeping obligations, observer mandates, and catch limits that apply to U.S. vessels and importers. Without these domestic regulations, international commission decisions would be unenforceable against U.S. participants.

The regulation covers four major substantive regimes, each implemented through a separate subpart:

Eastern Pacific tuna (Subpart C — IATTC): The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission manages tuna and tuna-like species in the Eastern Pacific, from the U.S. West Coast to South America. U.S. vessels authorized to fish for tuna in the Convention Area must maintain logbooks documenting each fishing operation (§ 300.22); be listed on the IATTC Regional Vessel Register (§ 300.23); and comply with annual longline catch limits — capped at 750 metric tons per vessel per year (§ 300.25). Purse seine vessels operating in the Convention Area must retain all bigeye, skipjack, and yellowfin tuna caught, with limited exceptions for fish too small to process. All regulated vessels must carry vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and transmit position data to NOAA (§ 300.26).

Western and Central Pacific tuna (Subpart O — WCPFC): The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission manages highly migratory species (HMS) across an enormous ocean area. Any U.S. fishing vessel used for commercial fishing for HMS on the high seas in the Convention Area must carry a valid WCPFC Area Endorsement on its high seas fishing permit (§ 300.212). Owners and operators must: submit vessel information to the Pacific Islands Regional Administrator before fishing in waters under another nation's jurisdiction (§ 300.213); comply with the laws of those nations (§ 300.214); carry WCPFC-certified observers when required (§ 300.215); and comply with transshipping restrictions — fish caught by purse seine vessels cannot be transshipped without WCPFC monitoring approval (§ 300.216). Vessels must be marked with visible identification (§ 300.217).

Antarctic marine living resources (Subpart G — CCAMLR): The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources manages fisheries in Antarctic waters, with particular focus on Dissostichus species — the Patagonian toothfish and Antarctic toothfish sold commercially as "Chilean sea bass." Anyone importing, exporting, or re-exporting Antarctic marine living resources (AMLRs) into the United States must hold a NMFS-issued International Fisheries Trade Permit (IFTP) (§ 300.104). Every shipment of frozen Dissostichus species additionally requires a NMFS preapproval certificate before arrival (§ 300.105). CCAMLR Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS) documents must accompany all Dissostichus shipments; shipments without CDS documentation cannot enter U.S. commerce (§ 300.106). This system exists because toothfish has been a primary target of illegal fishing in Antarctic waters — the CDS creates a paper trail from vessel to importer that makes laundering illegally caught toothfish into the U.S. market much harder.

IUU fishing nation certification (Subpart N): The High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act requires NMFS to publish a biennial report to Congress identifying nations whose fishing vessels are engaged in illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing; whose vessels create bycatch of protected living marine resources; or whose vessels engage in shark finning (§§ 300.202–300.204). Nations identified but not positively certified face serious consequences: their vessels may be denied port privileges at U.S. ports, and their fish products may be subject to import restrictions or outright bans (§§ 300.205–300.206). This certification mechanism gives the United States economic leverage to push foreign governments to control their fishing fleets' behavior on the high seas.

Key Provisions

• § 300.1 — Purpose and scope: Part 300 implements fishery conservation and management measures from each international treaty, convention, or agreement specified in its subparts; each subpart creates a separate regulatory regime
• § 300.22 — Eastern Pacific logbook requirements: vessel masters must maintain IATTC-approved logbooks documenting each fishing set, species caught, area, gear type, and disposition; logbooks are submitted to NOAA and shared with IATTC
• § 300.23 — IATTC Regional Vessel Register: U.S. commercial tuna vessels must be listed; vessels not on the register are prohibited from fishing in the Convention Area
• § 300.24 — Eastern Pacific prohibitions: unlawful to land tuna in excess of seasonal limits; to fish during IATTC-declared closed seasons; to refuse an IATTC observer; or to falsify logbook records
• § 300.25 — Longline catch limits: 750 metric ton annual cap per vessel on all tuna species combined; separate seasons and limits apply to specific species; NMFS closes the fishery when any limit is reached
• § 300.104 — AMLR trade permit: International Fisheries Trade Permit (IFTP) required for any import, export, or re-export of Antarctic marine living resources into the United States; applies to toothfish, icefish, krill, and other CCAMLR-managed species
• § 300.105 — Toothfish preapproval: NMFS preapproval certificate required for each shipment of frozen Dissostichus species; applications must be submitted with catch documentation before the shipment arrives
• § 300.106 — Catch Documentation Scheme: CCAMLR CDS documents required for all Dissostichus shipments; NMFS validates CDS data; shipments without validated documentation cannot enter U.S. commerce
• § 300.202 — IUU identification: NMFS biennial report to Congress lists nations whose fishing vessels engaged in IUU fishing in the preceding calendar year; process includes a preliminary identification list and an opportunity for diplomatic engagement before the final report
• § 300.206 — Port and import consequences: vessels of non-certified nations may be denied entry to U.S. ports; fish products from non-certified nations may be refused importation; Secretary of Treasury implements import sanctions

How It Affects You

If you operate a U.S. commercial tuna vessel in the Pacific: You likely need at least two federal permits — a high seas fishing permit and, depending on where you fish, an IATTC authorization (IATTC Vessel Register listing) and/or a WCPFC Area Endorsement. Observer requirements apply when NOAA mandates coverage for your vessel type and area. VMS is required; you must keep the system operational. Annual longline catch limits under IATTC mean you may need to stop fishing for certain species before year-end if the fleet-wide limit is reached for your area — NMFS can close a fishery mid-season with relatively short notice. Logbook compliance matters: falsifying logbook records is a federal violation with substantial civil penalties.

If you import seafood from international waters: The CCAMLR Catch Documentation Scheme means that every shipment of Chilean sea bass (toothfish) entering the U.S. must be accompanied by a complete, NMFS-validated chain of documentation from the vessel that caught it. Missing or incomplete CDS documentation results in refusal of entry at the port. Beyond toothfish, if your supplier nation is identified in NMFS's IUU biennial report and receives a negative certification, your import shipments from that nation may face import restrictions or bans — creating significant supply-chain risk. Working with certified suppliers whose flag states maintain positive IUU certifications is the compliance baseline.

If you are a seafood buyer or sustainability-focused procurement manager: The WCPFC and IATTC observer programs generate catch data that feeds into the stock assessments driving sustainable catch limits. Third-party sustainability certifications (MSC, FIP programs) typically reference compliance with WCPFC and IATTC measures as core requirements. The CCAMLR Catch Documentation Scheme for toothfish is one of the most robust fisheries trade documentation systems in the world — it's why "Chilean sea bass" from legitimate sources has a verifiable chain of custody that few other commodities can match.

If you work in fisheries policy or international trade: The IUU certification process under Subpart N is NMFS's primary tool for exercising U.S. market leverage on international fishing behavior. A nation identified as having IUU vessels faces the prospect of import restrictions on all its fish products, not just products from the offending vessels — which creates powerful incentives for flag states to discipline their fleets. The biennial reporting cycle and diplomatic engagement process between preliminary identification and final certification give nations a window to demonstrate corrective action. Watch the biennial reports (typically published by NMFS every two years) for early signals about which fishing nations may face restrictions.

Statutory Authority

This rule implements:

• 16 U.S.C. § 951 (Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, as amended) — authorizes NMFS to implement IATTC recommendations for Eastern Pacific tuna fisheries; creates the U.S.-Mexico-Costa Rica commission framework
• 16 U.S.C. § 1801 (Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act) — foundational U.S. fisheries law; Section 101 authorizes international cooperation and implementation of fisheries agreements; provides enforcement authority
• 16 U.S.C. § 2431 (Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Act of 1984) — implements CCAMLR for the United States; authorizes permits, catch documentation requirements, and import/export restrictions for Antarctic species
• 16 U.S.C. § 5501 (High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act, as part of the Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization) — the statutory basis for the IUU certification program under Subpart N; requires NMFS biennial reports and directs Treasury to implement import restrictions against non-certified nations
• Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 6901-6910) — authorizes WCPFC permit system, observer requirements, and transshipping restrictions in Subpart O

Implementing Regulations

NOAA's enforcement procedures for fisheries violations — civil penalties, permit sanctions, seizures, and forfeitures — are governed by 15 CFR Part 904 — Civil Procedures. Key provisions:

• § 904.101 — Notice of Violation and Assessment (NOVA): NOAA serves a NOVA on the respondent, stating the facts, the specific statute/regulation violated, and the proposed civil penalty; a NOVA may also propose permit sanctions
• § 904.102 — Response options: respondents have 30 days from receipt of the NOVA to (1) pay the penalty, (2) negotiate a compromise, or (3) request a formal hearing; silence or inaction results in the NOVA becoming the final administrative decision
• § 904.104 — Default: if no hearing is requested within 30 days, the NOVA becomes effective as a final administrative order — collectible and enforceable without further proceedings
• § 904.106 — Compromise authority: NOAA, in its sole discretion, may compromise, modify, remit, or mitigate any civil penalty; compromise is the primary resolution pathway for most NOAA fisheries violations; NOAA considers the factors at § 904.108 (nature, gravity, prior violations, degree of culpability, ability to pay, and good faith in compliance)
• § 904.108 — Penalty factors: nature, circumstances, and gravity of the violation; the respondent's degree of culpability; history of prior offenses; penalty level needed for deterrence; economic benefit gained from the violation; willingness to cooperate in any investigation
• Subpart C — Hearing and Appeal Procedures (§§ 2200.201+): a respondent who contests the NOVA may request an ALJ hearing; the ALJ independently evaluates whether a violation occurred and the appropriate penalty; appeals from ALJ decisions go to the NOAA Administrator
• Subpart D — Permit Sanctions and Denials (§§ 904.300+): separate procedures govern suspension, revocation, modification, or denial of fishing permits and dealer permits; NOAA must provide written notice and an opportunity to respond before finalizing a permit sanction; permit sanctions may be imposed independently of or in addition to civil penalties
• Subpart F — Seizure and Forfeiture (§§ 904.500+): NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement may seize vessels, fish, fishing gear, and other items used in or obtained through violations; forfeiture proceedings follow the civil penalty framework; seized vessels may be posted (released to the owner on a monetary bond) pending resolution of the underlying violation

Civil penalties under NOAA fisheries statutes can be substantial — violations of the Magnuson-Stevens Act can reach $100,000 per violation per day, and some international fisheries laws (WCPFC, IATTC) carry similar penalty levels. The compromise pathway (§ 904.106) is the primary resolution mechanism: most NOAA fisheries cases are resolved through negotiated settlements below the maximum proposed penalty, particularly when the respondent cooperates and documents remedial action. Permit revocation — the consequence most feared by working fishermen — requires the full hearing process under Subpart D before it can become final.

Recent Rulemakings

• 89 FR 20137 (2024) — Updated WCPFC provisions (Subpart O), the most recent amendment to the Part; modified fishing restrictions and observer coverage requirements consistent with WCPFC commission decisions
• 82 FR 6223 (2017) — Earlier WCPFC update, adjusting vessel permit and transshipping requirements
• 78 FR 3343 (2013) — Amended multiple subparts, adding provisions related to WCPFC Area Endorsements and observer protocols

The Antarctic and IUU provisions (Subparts G and N) are amended periodically as CCAMLR commission decisions and NMFS biennial determinations require. The most recent IUU biennial report to Congress — identifying nations with IUU-fishing vessels and triggering the certification process — is published by NMFS and available at fisheries.noaa.gov.

Recent Developments

• IUU fishing enforcement and Carvão Act provisions: The Magnuson-Stevens Act IUU enforcement provisions — implemented through Part 300 Subpart N — have been used to identify and certify nations with IUU fishing fleets that undermine conservation. NMFS's biennial IUU identification process has flagged multiple nations in recent years. Certification triggers potential trade sanctions, creating diplomatic pressure on IUU-fishing nations. NOAA has coordinated with the State Department and U.S. Trade Representative in applying these measures.
• WCPFC tuna conservation tightening (2024): The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission adopted stricter bigeye tuna and skipjack tuna conservation measures at its 2023 annual session, effective in 2024. EPA updated Part 300 Subpart O in 2024 (89 FR 20137) to implement these measures — modifying fishing effort limits, observer coverage requirements, and FAD (fish aggregating device) restrictions for U.S.-flag vessels in WCPFC waters. Pacific tuna fishing vessel operators needed to update their fishing plans for the 2024 season.
• Antarctic toothfish and climate research: CCAMLR conservation measures governing Patagonian toothfish (Chilean sea bass) and Antarctic toothfish have been periodically adjusted as stock assessments are updated. Climate change effects on Antarctic fishery stocks — including changes in krill distribution and sea ice extent affecting toothfish habitat — are increasingly incorporated into CCAMLR's conservation measure review process. U.S. participation in CCAMLR and implementation through Part 300 Subpart G reflect ongoing U.S. interests in both the toothfish fishery and Antarctic scientific research.
• Port State measures and IUU interdiction: The Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), which NOAA implements through Part 300 Subpart Q, requires port inspections of foreign fishing vessels to verify compliance with flag state and RFMO measures. PSMA port inspections have identified IUU vessels seeking to offload catch at U.S. ports. NOAA and CBP coordinate on port-of-entry inspections for seafood imports with IUU-flagged vessels.
• Trump tariffs and seafood trade disruption (2025): Trump's broad tariff regime — including 145% tariffs on Chinese goods announced April 2025 — has significantly disrupted seafood trade flows. China is both a major seafood exporter to the U.S. (shrimp, tilapia, processed fish) and a major processor of fish caught by U.S. vessels (Alaskan pollock and salmon are shipped to China for processing, then re-imported). The tariff structure creates a double hit for some U.S. fishing sectors: higher prices for imported seafood products and disrupted markets for U.S. catch sent to Chinese processors. NOAA fisheries management operates independently of tariff policy, but trade disruption affects U.S. fishing industry economics and RFMO participation dynamics.
• DOGE and NOAA staffing (2025): DOGE-driven workforce reductions at NOAA have affected the National Marine Fisheries Service, including staff who manage U.S. participation in RFMOs, conduct IUU enforcement proceedings, and implement Part 300 regulatory updates. NOAA NMFS lost significant positions in 2025; some annual RFMO attendance and implementation rulemaking has been delayed as a result. U.S. fishing vessel operators should monitor whether implementation rules for 2024-2025 RFMO decisions are published on schedule.

Pending Action

Several RFMO conservation measures are scheduled for review at annual sessions in 2025–2026 that may require NMFS rulemaking to implement. U.S. participation in WCPFC, ICCAT, and CCAMLR annual sessions will produce conservation measure updates; watch the Federal Register for Part 300 proposed rules implementing these outcomes — typically published within 6–12 months of annual RFMO meetings. The IUU certification process produces a biennial report; the next NMFS IUU identification and certification proceeding will affect diplomatic and trade relationships with identified nations. U.S. vessel operators in international fisheries should monitor NMFS's HMS (highly migratory species) rulemaking page for subpart-specific updates implementing RFMO decisions from recent annual meetings.