Purse Seine and Longline Closures to Prevent Overfishing of Tunas

November 28, 2005

Release from:
NOAA

NOAA Fisheries Service has published a final rule to prevent overfishing of tuna stocks in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP), consistent with recommendations by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). The purse seine fishery for tuna in the ETP will be closed from November 20, 2005, through December 31, 2005, and from November 20, 2006, through December 31, 2006. NOAA also announced that the tuna longline fishery in the ETP will close when a 150-mt limit for bigeye tuna has been reached.

These actions are taken to limit fishing mortality on tuna stocks caused by purse seine fishing and longline fishing in the IATTC Convention Area, and contribute to the long-term conservation of tuna stocks at levels that support healthy fisheries. A summary of public comments and responses is provided in the final rule.

For more information, contact Allison.Routt@noaa.gov.