AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Temporary rule; interim measures.

SUMMARY:

This temporary rule implements an interim catch limit (ICL) of 13,000 lb of American Samoa bottomfish for fishing years 2020 and 2021 during the effective period of the rule. NMFS will monitor catches, and if the fishery reaches the ICL within a fishing year, we will close the fishery in Federal waters through the end of the fishing year, or through the end of the effective period of this rule, whichever comes first. These interim management measures are necessary to reduce overfishing of American Samoa bottomfish while minimizing socio-economic impacts to fishing communities. This temporary rule supports the long-term sustainability of American Samoa bottomfish.

DATES:

Effective November 16, 2020, through May 17, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Copies of the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the American Samoa Archipelago (FEP) are available from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808-522-8220, or www.wpcouncil.org.

NMFS prepared an environmental assessment (EA) that describes the potential impacts on the human environment that could result from this temporary rule. The EA and other supporting documents are available from www.regulations.gov/​docket?​D=​NOAA-NMFS-2020-0099.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brett Schumacher, NMFS PIR Sustainable Fisheries, 808-725-5185.

Click here to see complete FR notice.