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FR Notice – Request for Comments on Ecosystem Component Species (Aug. 8, 2018)

Federal Register Notices, News and Updates, Publications

Action

Notice of availability of fishery ecosystem plan amendments; request for comments.

Summary

NMFS announces that the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) proposes to amend the Fishery Ecosystem Plans (FEP) for American Samoa, the Mariana Archipelago, and Hawaii. Amendment 4 to the American Samoa FEP, Amendment 5 to the Marianas FEP, and Amendment 5 to the Hawaii FEP would reclassify certain management unit species as ecosystem component species. The intent of these amendments is to focus management efforts on species that are in need of conservation and management, and improve efficiency of fishery management in the region.

Dates

NMFS must receive comments on the proposed amendments by October 9, 2018.

Addresses

You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2018-0021, by either of the following methods:

  • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0021, click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
  • Mail: Send written comments to Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.

Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period. All comments received are a part of the public record, and NMFS will generally post them for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter “N/A” in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).

The Council prepared Amendment 4 to the American Samoa FEP, Amendment 5 to the Marianas FEP, and Amendment 5 to the Hawaii FEP. Those amendments, available as a single document, include an environmental assessment (EA). Copies of the amendments and EA, and other supporting documents are available at https://www.regulations.gov or the Council, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808-522-8220, fax 808-522-8226, www.wpcouncil.org.

For Further Information Contact

Sarah Ellgen, Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS PIR, 808-725-5173.

Click here for complete FR Notice

Upcoming Events

Mar
11
Wed
2:00 pm American Samoa Archipelago FEP A...
American Samoa Archipelago FEP A...
Mar 11 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Tedi of Samoa Bldg., Suite 208B, Fagatogo Village, AS Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. (SST); 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. (HST) Hybrid Meeting via Webex: https://wprfmc.webex.com/wprfmc/j.php?MTID=m931b8a3fb43ea0fd1e39e9d333471612 Event number (if prompted): 2630[...]
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Mariana Archipelago FEP CNMI Adv...
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Hawaii Archipelago and PRIA Advi...
Mar 13 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Council Office, 1164 Bishop St Suite 1400, Honolulu, Hawaii Friday, March 13, 2026; 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (HST) Hybrid Meeting via Webex: https://wprfmc.webex.com/wprfmc/j.php?MTID=m4b5d8c3934c34cc7030983d913b135db Event number (if prompted): 2634 435 0145 Event password (if prompted):[...]
4:00 pm Mariana Archipelago FEP Guam Adv...
Mariana Archipelago FEP Guam Adv...
Mar 13 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Cliff Pointe, 304 W. O’Brien Drive, Hagatña, GU Saturday, March 14, 2026, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. (ChST) Hybrid Meeting via Webex: https://wprfmc.webex.com/wprfmc/j.php?MTID=m1070816818a034b3f41e3aee6c073b96 Event number (if prompted): 2631 476 6601 Event password (if prompted): GUAP0314mtg[...]