# Annual Reports to the Congress

The Office of International Affairs annually produces Congressionally
mandated reports on the following international fisheries issues:

**[Atlantic Tunas Convention Authorization Act (ATCA) of 1995 Report on
Highly]{.underline}**

**[Migratory Species (HMS)]{.underline}**

**[Bycatch Reduction Agreements]{.underline}**

**[Foreign Large-Scale High Seas Driftnet Fishing]{.underline}**

**[Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO)
Activities]{.underline}**

**[ATCA Report on Highly Migratory Species (HMS)]{.underline}**

ATCA [16 U.S.C. 971j et seq.]{.underline} requires an annual report to
be submitted to the Congress that:

\(1\) details for the previous 10-year period the catches and exports to
the Unites States of highly migratory species (including tunas,
swordfish, marlin and sharks) from Nations fishing on Atlantic stocks of
such species that are subject to management by the Commission;

\(2\) identifies those fishing Nations whose harvests are inconsistent
with conservation and Management recommendations of the Commission;

\(3\) described reporting requirements established by the Secretary to
ensure that imported fish products are in compliance with all
international management measures, including minimum size requirements,
established by the Commission and other international fishery
organizations to which the United States is a party; and

\(4\) describes actions taken by the Secretary under section 971d of
this title.

For copies of the ATCA Report on Highly Migratory Species (HMS),
contact:

Dr. Christopher Rogers

Chief, Trade and Marine Stewardship Division (F/IA2)

Office of International Affairs

National Marine Fisheries Service

1315 East-West Highway, Room 12657

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Telephone: (301) 713-2276

Fax: (301) 713-2313

e-mail: [christopher.rogers@noaa.gov]{.underline}

**[Bycatch Reduction Agreements]{.underline}**

Section 202(h)(l) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) states that the Secretary of
State, in cooperation with the Secretary of Commerce, \"shall seek to
secure an international agreement to establish standards and measures
for bycatch reduction that are comparable to the standards and measures
applicable to United States fishermen for such purposes in any fishery
regulated pursuant to this Act for which the Secretary \[of Commerce\],
in consultation with the Secretary of State, determines that such an
international agreement is necessary and appropriate.\" Similar
provisions are contained in both the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Section 202(h)(3) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that the
Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State,
submit annually to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House
of Representatives a report describing actions pursuant to Section
202(h)(l) of the Act.

[2005 Report to the Congress on International Bycatch
Agreements](http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/intlbycatch/docs/2005BycatchReport202h.pdf)

For more information, contact:

Brad Wiley

International Fisheries Affairs Division (F/IA1)

Office of International Affairs

National Marine Fisheries Service

1315 East-West Highway, Room 12623

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Telephone: (301) 713-2276

Fax: (301) 713-2313

e-mail: [brad.wiley@noaa.gov]{.underline}

**[Foreign Large-Scale High Seas Driftnet Fishing]{.underline}**

Section 206(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act requires annually that the Secretary of Commerce, after
consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland
Security, submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House
of Representatives a report describing and evaluating the steps taken by
the United States to carry out the provisions of Section 206 regarding
foreign large-scale high seas driftnet fishing. The annual report
describes actions taken by the United States each calendar year to
implement the global driftnet moratorium called for by United Nations
General Assembly Resolution 46/215 and to secure a permanent ban on the
use of large-scale driftnets by persons or vessels fishing beyond the
exclusive economic zone of any nation.

The Office of International Affairs has produced the annual driftnet
report since 1989.

[2005 Driftnet Report to the
Congress](http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/intlbycatch/docs/CONGOO5RPT with Attachments.pdf)

Copies of earlier driftnet reports can be obtained from:

Paul Niemeier

Office of International Affairs (F/IA1)

National Marine Fisheries Service

1315 East-West Highway, Room 12752

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Telephone: (301) 713-2276

Fax: (301) 713-2313

e-mail: [paul.niemeier@noaa.gov]{.underline}

**[NAFO Activities]{.underline}**

Section 212 of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention Act of 1995
(16 U.S.C. 5601 [et]{.underline} [seq]{.underline}.) requires that the
Secretary of Commerce prepare an annual report to Congress on the
activities of the NAFO Fisheries Commission, the General Council, the
Scientific Council, and the Consultative Committee established under
Section 208 of the Act.

Section 213(a) of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention Act of
1995 (16 U.S.C. 5601 [et]{.underline} [seq]{.underline}.) requires that
the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Secretary of State, shall
promptly seek to establish a new practice for allocating quotas under
the Convention that: (1) is predictable and transparent; (2) provides
fishing opportunities for all members of the Organization; and (3) is
consistent with the Straddling Stocks Agreement. Section 213(b) of the
Act requires that the Secretary of Commerce include in annual reports
under Section 212: (1) a description of the results of negotiations held
pursuant to subsection (a); (2) an identification of barriers to
achieving such an allocation practice; and (3) recommendations for any
further legislation that is necessary to achieve such a new practice.

The Office of International Affairs has produced the annual report on
the activities of NAFO since 1998. The most recent report covers
calendar year 2005. Copies of the reports can be obtained from:

Patrick E. Moran

Trade and Stewardship Division

Office of International Affairs (F/IA)

National Marine Fisheries Service

1315 East-West Highway, Room 12605

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Telephone: (301) 713-2276

Fax: (301) 713-2313

e-mail: [pat.moran@noaa.gov]{.underline}