Federal Register #0648-BN73

Proposed rule to increase catch limits and update accountability measures for Guam bottomfish fisheries

This proposed regulatory change by NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) impacts the management of Guam's Mariana bottomfish fisheries. - Government Buyer: - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) - Products/Services Requested: - No products or services are being procured; this is a regulatory action - Annual catch limit (ACL) for Mariana bottomfish management unit species (MUS) increased from 31,000 lb to 34,500 lb - Targets 13 species: emperors, snappers, groupers, and jacks - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Replaces in-season accountability measure (AM) with a post-season overage adjustment - Removes higher performance standard that previously closed the fishery in federal waters for any overage - Rebuilding plan aims to restore stock by 2031 - Affects approximately 63 fishermen in Guam's commercial and non-commercial bottomfish fishery - OEMs and Vendors: - No OEMs or vendors are involved; this is not a procurement opportunity - Places of Performance and Government Facilities: - Guam (federal facility, place of performance) - NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office, Honolulu, HI (federal office, government facility)

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to modify the annual catch limit (ACL) and accountability measures (AM) for Mariana bottomfish management unit species in Guam. The proposed rule would increase the ACL from 31,000 pounds to 34,500 pounds, replace the in-season AM with a post-season overage adjustment if the average catch from the most recent 3 years exceeds the ACL, and remove the higher performance standard that closes the fishery in Federal waters for any overage. This action supports rebuilding of the fishery based on the best available scientific, commercial, and other information. NMFS invites public comments on the proposed rule by May 26, 2026.

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