South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988 Law and Legal Definition
The South Pacific Tuna Act Of 1988 is a U.S. federal legislation that provides for the implementation of the Treaty on Fisheries Between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America, signed in 1987.
Pursuant to the Act, the Secretary of Commerce, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State and after consultation with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, is directed to promulgate regulations to carry out the Treaty and the Act.
The Act makes it unlawful to: violate the Act or any of its regulations; use a vessel for fishing in violation of an applicable national law; violate the terms and conditions of a fishing arrangement entered into under the Treaty; use a vessel for fishing in a Limited Area in violation of the Treaty or in a Closed Area; falsify or fail to submit any required reports; destroy intentionally evidence pertaining to violations of the Act or Treaty; refuse to permit an Authorized Officer or Authorized Party Officer to board a fishing vessel to conduct a search or inspection, or refuse to comply with the instructions of these officers; interfere with the actions of officers, resist arrest, or prevent arrest of others for violation of the Act or Treaty; knowingly ship, transport, offer for sale, sell, purchase, import, export, or have custody, control or possession of, fish taken or retained in violation of the Treaty or Act.
