International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Vessel Register Required Information, International Maritime Organization Numbering Scheme

NMFS is issuing regulations to implement a resolution adopted by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) that requires U.S. vessels fishing for tuna and tuna-like species with a capacity equal to or greater than 100 gross resister tons (GRT) to have an International Maritime Organization (IMO) number. The IMO number will be included with information the United States sends to the IATTC for vessels authorized to fish for tuna and tuna-like species in the IATTC Convention Area, and will enable more effective tracking of vessels that may be engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.