Federal Register #Docket No. 260428-0117

NOAA NMFS Proposes Annual Catch and Retention Limits for Striped Marlin in the Western and Central North Pacific Ocean

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing a regulatory framework to manage catch and retention limits for Western and Central North Pacific Ocean (WCNPO) striped marlin, focusing on Hawaii longline fisheries. - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Pacific Islands Regional Office - Products/Services Requested: - Establishment and annual update of catch and retention limits for WCNPO striped marlin - 2026 catch limit: 393.4 metric tons (867,300 pounds) - 2026 longline retention limit: 381.6 metric tons (841,300 pounds) for Hawaii longline limited entry permit vessels - Prohibition of further retention by longline vessels once the retention limit is reached, with exceptions for fish caught before the non-retention date - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Compliance with Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Conservation and Management Measure (CMM) 2024-06 - Limits updated annually based on international agreements and published in the Federal Register - Applies specifically to vessels with Hawaii longline limited entry permits - Ensures U.S. compliance with international fisheries management obligations - No OEMs or commercial vendors are involved, as this is a regulatory action rather than a procurement of goods or services.

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes a framework to determine catch limits for all U.S. fisheries and retention limits by U.S. longline fisheries under a Hawaii longline limited entry permit for Western and Central North Pacific Ocean (WCNPO) striped marlin. The framework is consistent with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Conservation and Management Measure 2024-06. If the retention limit is reached, NMFS proposes to prohibit longline retention of WCNPO striped marlin by longline fishing vessels until the end of the year to prevent exceeding the U.S. catch limit. For fishing year 2026, NMFS proposes a U.S. WCNPO striped marlin limit of 393.4 metric tons and a U.S. longline retention limit of 381.6 metric tons using the framework.

View original listing