Pacific Island Fisheries; Amendment 7 to the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the American Samoa Archipelago; Discontinue Rebuilding Plan for American Samoa Bottomfish and Implement Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures for Fishing Years 2024-2026

Zusammenfassung

NMFS announces that the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) proposes to amend the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the American Samoa Archipelago (FEP). If approved, the FEP would be amended to discontinue the rebuilding plan for American Samoa bottomfish and NMFS would implement annual catch limits (ACL) and accountability measures (AM) for American Samoa bottomfish. The action is necessary because new best scientific information indicates the fishery is not overfished or experiencing overfishing. The proposed action considers the best available scientific, commercial, and other information about the fishery, and supports the long-term sustainability of the fishery.