The first section of the "South Pacific Tuna Treaty Act of 2023" provides the official name of the Act and outlines its table of contents, listing the various sections ranging from amendments, prohibited acts, licenses, and enforcement, to specific requirements and agreements related to the Act.

The section outlines that any references to changes or removals in this Act are meant to apply to the South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988, unless stated otherwise.

The text outlines changes to a bill regarding definitions related to fishing laws. It updates terminology for applicable national law, closed areas, fishing activities, and fishing vessels, while also introducing the concept of "regional terms and conditions" attached to licenses.

The bill modifies the prohibited acts section by removing certain exceptions, eliminating two paragraphs, and adding new violations, including breaking regional terms or fishing limits. It also restructures the numbering and wording in both general and licensing area regulations to align with these changes.

The section explains that Section 6, designated as 16 U.S.C. 973d, will be removed from the law.

Section 6 amends a part of the U.S. Code by updating which paragraphs are referenced in a previous law, changing it from referring to parts "(8), (10), (11), or (12)" to referring to parts "(6), (8), (9), or (10)" of section 5(a).

The section of the bill amends the rules related to civil penalties by changing specific legal references and removing certain conditions for liability. It revises which prohibited acts require referral to the Attorney General and updates the language about areas closed to fishing.

The section discusses amendments to regulations on vessel license applications for fishing, including allowing the Secretary to decide not to forward applications under certain circumstances, like bankruptcy or lack of insurance. It also updates how license holders can fish for tuna under the law, ensuring compliance with international agreements and conservation measures.

The section describes amendments to existing U.S. Code related to notice requirements and search and seizure procedures in legal matters with Pacific Island Parties. It specifies changes to how certain articles and clauses are referenced in section 10 of the code.

The section modifies regulations related to jurisdiction and procedures for vessels in waters under the Pacific Island Party's authority. It updates references and strikes out certain terms to refine the legal framework in which vessels must operate, especially when they do not comply with the jurisdiction or are under investigation for treaty infringements.

The section outlines the rules about keeping certain types of information confidential and specifies the conditions under which it can be shared. It states that the Secretary must keep information from the Administrator, observers, and others private unless exceptions apply, like a court order, use by federal employees for law enforcement, or with written permission from the person who provided the information.

The passage outlines rules about keeping some information secret, specifically information given to or collected by certain officials and observers. It also describes when this information can be shared, such as when ordered by a court, for law enforcement, national security, or fishery management, or if the person who provided the information agrees to the sharing.

The amendment to Section 13 (16 U.S.C. 973k) removes the specific requirement that the boom must be lowered and replaces it with a provision that mandates compliance with any requirements set by the Secretary.

The text states that Section 14 (16 U.S.C. 973l) is repealed, which means that this specific section of the law is no longer in effect.

The section allows the Secretary and the Secretary of State to offer various types of assistance to Pacific Island countries to help them with their fisheries and fishing operations. This assistance can include technical support, training, helping with private business activities, and other suitable actions.

The Secretary and the Secretary of State can offer help to Pacific Island Parties to support their fisheries and fishing boat operations under the Treaty. This includes providing technical help, training opportunities, assistance with private sector projects, and any other activities they think are suitable.

The section amends a part of the law by removing specific references to where the arbitration is supposed to be located under certain articles, and instead specifies that the location will be determined by the Treaty itself.

The bill changes Section 17 of a law (16 U.S.C. 973o) by removing the phrase "Article 4 of" from its current text.

The section amends existing law by allowing the Secretary the authority to set up procedures for reviewing any new fishing access agreements made under the Treaty.