NMFS proposes to amend the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the American Samoa Archipelago (FEP) to discontinue the rebuilding plan for American Samoa bottomfish and to implement single-species annual catch limits (ACL) and accountability measures (AM) for bottomfish in the American Samoa archipelago for fishing
years 2024, 2025 and 2026. The action is necessary because new best scientific information indicates the fishery is not overfished or experiencing overfishing, and new ACLs and AMs are warranted. This proposed rule considers the best available scientific, commercial, and other information about the fishery, and would support the long-term
sustainability of the fishery. NMFS must receive comments by October 4, 2024.
A plain language summary of this proposed amendment is available at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2024-0088. You may submit comments on this document,
identified by NOAA–NMFS–2024–0088, by either of the following methods:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and type NOAA–NMFS–2024–0088 in the Search
box (note: copying and pasting the FDMS Docket Number directly from this document may not yield search results). Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
• Mail: Submit written comments to Sarah Malloy, Deputy Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments
received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted 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). Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and NMFS prepared an environmental assessment (EA) to support this proposed action. The EA is available at https://www.regulations.gov.
For more information and to read the Federal Register notice click here