ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: This final rule establishes an annual catch limit (ACL) of 492,000 lb for Deep 7 bottomfish in the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) for each of the
three fishing years 2018–19, 2019–20, and 2020–21. If NMFS projects that the
fishery will reach the ACL in any given fishing year, NMFS would close the
commercial and non-commercial fisheries for MHI Deep 7 bottomfish in
Federal waters for the remainder of that fishing year as an accountability
measure (AM). This rule also makes housekeeping changes to the Federal bottomfish fishing regulations. This rule supports the long-term sustainability of Deep 7 bottomfish.
DATES: The final rule is effective July 24, 2019. The final rule is applicable in fishing years 2018–2019, 2019–2020 and 2020–2021.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Hawaiian Archipelago are available from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel. 808–522–8220, fax 808–522–8226, or www.wpcouncil.org.
Copies of the environmental assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact for this action are available from https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAANMFS-2018-0121, or from Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd. Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Schumacher, NMFS PIRO Sustainable Fisheries, 808–725–5185.