News + Announcements
Press Release – Western Pacific Scientists to Discuss Research on Area-Based Management and “Weak Hooks” as a Mitigation Strategy (10 March 2022)
HONOLULU (10 March 2022) Scientists across the Western Pacific Region will meet virtually March 15 to 17, 2022, to provide advice and comments to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council on area-based management, a weak hook study, American Samoa...
FR Notice – False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan; Trigger for the Southern Exclusion Zone Closure Met in 2021 (Mar. 8, 2022)
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. SUMMARY: In 2021, four observed mortalities or serious injuries (M&SI) of false killer whales occurred...
Winter 2022 Pacific Island Fisheries News
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FR Notice – Rebuilding Plan for Guam Bottomfish (Feb. 18, 2022)
AGENCY:National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION:Final rule. SUMMARY:This final rule implements a rebuilding plan that includes annual catch limits (ACL) and accountability measures (AM) for the...
Request for Comments – Rebuilding Plan for the American Samoa Bottomfish Fishery (Comments due by March 21, 2022)
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to implement a rebuilding plan that includes annual catch limits (ACL) and...
Request for Comments – Purse Seine Observer Exemptions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (Comments due by March 7, 2022)
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. SUMMARY: NMFS proposes regulations under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the...
Request for Comment – Garapan Fishing Base Shoreline Revetment (Comments due by Feb. 28, 2022)
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability of a draft environmental assessment; request for comments. SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of a draft...
Request for comments: Amendment 5 to the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the American Samoa Archipelago; American Samoa Bottomfish Fishery Rebuilding Plan (Comments due by March 22, 2022)
Action Announcement of availability of fishery ecosystem plan amendment; request for comments. Summary NMFS announces that the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) proposes to amend the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the American Samoa Archipelago (FEP)....
Request for Comments: Review of Nomination for Mariana Trench National Marine Sanctuary (Comments due by Feb. 22, 2022)
AGENCY: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC). ACTION: Notice; request for written comments. SUMMARY: The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries...
Request for Comments: Pelagic Longline Gear and Operational Requirements (Comments due by Feb. 18, 2022)
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to prohibit the use of wire leaders in the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery, and...