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

ACTION:
Final rule.

SUMMARY:
This final rule implements Amendment 9 to the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific (FEP). It modifies the American Samoa longline fishery limited entry program to consolidate vessel class sizes, modify permit eligibility requirements, and reduce the minimum harvest requirements for small vessels. This final rule also makes several housekeeping changes to the program’s regulations. The intent of this rule is to reduce regulatory barriers that may be limiting small vessel participation in the fishery, and provide for sustained community and American Samoan participation in the fishery.

DATES:
The final rule is effective November 8, 2021.

ADDRESSES:
Copies of Amendment 9, including an environmental analysis and Regulatory Impact Review, and other supporting documents for this action are available at https://www.regulations.gov/​document/​NOAA-NMFS-2018-0023-0001.

Written comments and recommendations for the information collection 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:
Kate Taylor, NMFS PIR Sustainable Fisheries, 808-725-5182.

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