AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Temporary rule.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan, NMFS hereby reopens the Southern Exclusion Zone to deep-set longline fishing for all vessels registered under the Hawaii longline limited access program. At least one of the Southern Exclusion Zone reopening criteria defined in the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan regulations has been met.

DATES:

Effective August 25, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Diana Kramer, NMFS Pacific Islands Region, (808) 725-5167, Diana.Kramer@noaa.gov; or Kristy Long, NMFS Office of Protected Resources, (301) 427-8402, Kristy.Long@noaa.gov.

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