News + Announcements
Press Release – Fisheries Development Projects are Top Priority for American Samoa (6 August 2021)
HONOLULU (06 August 2021) The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced yesterday the approval of a marine conservation plan (MCP) for American Samoa. This agency decision is effective for three years, from July 25, 2021, through July 24, 2024. The latest...
FR Notice – Electronic Logbooks for Hawaii and American Samoa Pelagic Longline Fisheries (August 5, 2021)
Attention Hawaii and American Samoa Longline Vessel Owners and Operators: After Sept. 7, 2021, Hawai‘i longline vessels and Class C and D American Samoa longline vessels will be required to use electronic logbooks once the following criteria are met: NMFS notifies the...
FR Notice – Marine Conservation Plan for American Samoa; Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund (August 5, 2021)
AGENCY:National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION:Notice of agency decision. SUMMARY:NMFS announces approval of a marine conservation plan (MCP) for American Samoa. DATES:This agency decision is...
Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity FY2022, pre-proposals due by August 16, 2021
NOAA Fisheries is pleased to announce the 2022 Saltonstall-Kennedy (SK) Grant competition is open for applications. NOAA Fisheries announces the FY22 Saltonstall-Kennedy (S-K) Notice of Funding Opportunity and invites applicants to submit pre-proposals by August 16,...
FR Notice – Modifications to the American Samoa Longline Fishery Limited Entry Program (July 19, 2021)
AGENCY:National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION:Proposed rule; request for comments. SUMMARY:NMFS proposes to modify the American Samoa longline fishery limited entry program to consolidate...
FR Notice – Exemption for Large US Longline Vessels to Fish in Portions of the American Samoa Large Vessel Prohibited Area, Final Rule (July 9, 2021)
AGENCY:National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION:Final rule SUMMARY:NMFS implements a regulatory exemption that allows certain U.S. longline vessels 50 ft (15.2 m) and larger (‘‘large longline...
FR Notice -Temporary Rule and Interim Measures for American Samoa Bottomfish Fishery (June 21, 2021)
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 (5,897 kg) of American Samoa...
FR Notice – Proposed Rule Implementing Pelagic FEP Amendment 9 (Modifications to the American Samoa Longline Fishery Limited Entry Program) and Request for Comments (June 30, 2021)
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notification of availability of a fishery ecosystem plan amendment; request for comments. SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Western Pacific...
Press Release – Western Pacific Council and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Managers Collaborate to Draft Management Plan (25 June 2021)
HONOLULU (25 June 2021) The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and managers of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) agreed to work together yesterday at a meeting in Honolulu to develop a draft management plan ahead of the formal...
Press Release – Western Pacific Council Defers Action on American Samoa Bottomfish Rebuilding Plan (23 June 2021)
HONOLULU (23 June 2021) The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council voted to defer action on the rebuilding plan for the federally managed bottomfish complex in American Samoa at its virtual meeting today in Honolulu. In February 2020, the National Marine...