⚓Withdrawal of Proposed Rule on IUU Fishing Enforcement Impacts Businesses
Implementation of Provisions of the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015, the Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act, and the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023
Summary
NMFS formally withdraws a proposed rule on the Implementation of Provisions of the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015 and the Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act, which was published in the Federal Register on July 8, 2022. This proposed rule would have implemented certain provisions of the two acts and amended the definition of illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing in the regulations that implement the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (Moratorium Protection Act). After the proposed rule was issued, Congress amended the Moratorium Protection Act by the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA). NMFS has been developing a revised proposed rule in light of the NDAA to conform to the statutory changes, but does not have sufficient time to finalize the rule in this Administration.
Agencies
- Commerce Department
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Business Impact
$$ - Med
The withdrawal of the proposed rule impacts regulatory compliance for businesses engaged in fishing sectors, as it disrupts previous expectations regarding enforcement of fishing laws and re-defines the IUU fishing framework. Businesses must prepare for future regulatory adjustments under the National Defense Authorization Act.