Western Pacific Pelagic Fisheries; Purse Seine Prohibited Areas Around American Samoa

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NMFS announces that the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) proposes to amend the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region (FEP). If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, Amendment 3 would prohibit purse seine fishing in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) within 75 nautical miles (nm) of shore around American Samoa. The proposed action is intended to reduce catch competition between purse seine vessels and local trolling and longline fleets due to possible localized stock depletion by purse seine fishing, and to minimize gear conflicts between the local longline fleet and domestic purse seine vessels.