[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 37 (Friday, February 24, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10332-10333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4519]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 216

[Docket No. 950214049-5049-01; I.D. 011295B]
RIN 0648-XX10


Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals; Yellowfin Tuna Imports; 
Spain and Ecuador

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

ACTION: Notice of affirmative findings.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Republic of Spain and the Republic of 
Ecuador have submitted documentation establishing that they continue to 
be in compliance with the requirements of the yellowfin tuna 
importation regulations for nations that have acted to ban purse seine 
sets on marine mammals in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP). 
Affirmative findings have been issued that will allow yellowfin tuna 
and tuna products harvested by vessels of Ecuador and Spain to be 
imported into the United States through December 31, 1995.

DATES: The affirmative findings were effective December 29, 1994, for 
Spain, and December 30, 1994, for Ecuador, and remain in effect through 
December 31, 1995, unless revoked.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LT Dana Wilkes (310) 980-4019, FAX 
(310) 980-4047.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS regulations establish provisions for 
timely consideration and granting of an affirmative finding to a nation 
that prohibits its vessels from intentionally setting on marine mammals 
in the course of harvesting yellowfin tuna by purse seine in the ETP 
(50 CFR 216.24(e)(5)). With an affirmative finding, yellowfin tuna and 
products derived from yellowfin tuna harvested in the ETP by that 
nation's purse seine vessels may be imported into the United States.
    On December 29, 1994, after consultation with the Department of 
State, NMFS made an affirmative finding that the Republic of Spain had 
submitted acceptable documentary evidence that its regulatory program 
continues to comply with the yellowfin tuna import regulations. As a 
result of this affirmative finding, yellowfin tuna and products derived 
from yellowfin tuna harvested in the ETP by Spanish- 
[[Page 10333]] flag purse seine vessels may be imported into the United 
States through December 31, 1995.
    The Republic of Ecuador also submitted a request for renewal of an 
affirmative finding. NMFS reviewed information submitted by the 
Republic of Ecuador in compliance with 50 CFR 216.24(e)(5)(ix) - (xi). 
That documentation shows that, from May 24, 1994, until June 3, 1994, 
the Ecuadorian-flag purse seine vessel Connie F. fished for yellowfin 
tuna in the ETP without an observer on board. As a result, Ecuador 
automatically entered into a 1-year probationary status, beginning on 
June 3, 1994, as required under 50 CFR Sec. 216.24(e)(5)(x)(B)(1). On 
December 30, 1994, after consultation with the Department of State, 
NMFS made an affirmative finding that the Republic of Ecuador had 
submitted acceptable documentary evidence that its regulatory program 
complies with the yellowfin tuna import regulations and that Ecuador 
may continue to export yellowfin tuna harvested in the ETP by 
Ecuadorian-flag purse seine vessels to the United States, in a 
probationary status, through December 31, 1995.

    Dated: February 17, 1995.
Gary Matlock,
Program Management Officer, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-4519 Filed 2-23-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F