Attention Hawaii and American Samoa Longline Vessel Owners and Operators:

After Sept. 7, 2021, Hawai‘i longline vessels and Class C and D American Samoa longline vessels will be required to use electronic logbooks once the following criteria are met:

1. 1. NMFS notifies the permit holder of the requirement.
   2. Permit holders have received the ER tablet (at no cost).
   3. The vessel operator has obtained an individually assigned user account from NMFS.

AGENCY:
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:
Final rule.

SUMMARY:
NMFS will require the use of electronic logbooks in the Hawaii pelagic longline fisheries and on Class C and D vessels in the American Samoa pelagic longline fishery. This final rule is intended to reduce human error, improve data accuracy, save time for fishermen and NMFS, and provide more rigorous monitoring and forecasting of catch limits.

DATES:
The final rule is effective September 7, 2021.

ADDRESSES:
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) prepared a regulatory amendment that provides additional information and analyses that support this final rule. Copies are available from the Council, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808-522-8220, or www.wpcouncil.org.

Written comments regarding the burden-hour estimates or other aspects of the collection-of-information requirements contained in this final rule may be submitted to Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, and to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lynn Rassel, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office Sustainable Fisheries, 808-725-5184.

Click here for view complete FR notice.