Bigeye Tuna Catch and Allocation Limits for Pelagic Longline Fisheries in U.S. Pacific Island Territories: 2020 Specification

Same as previously reported: NMFS proposes to specify a 2020 catch limit of 2,000 metric tons (t) of longline-caught bigeye tuna for each of the pelagic longline fisheries of American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. NMFS also proposes to authorize each U.S. territory to allocate up to 1,500 t of bigeye tuna of its catch limit to a U.S. longline fishing vessel or vessels holding a valid permit and identified in a valid specified fishing agreement with a U.S. territory.NMFS proposes to specify a 2020 catch limit of 2,000 metric tons (t) of longline-caught bigeye tuna for each of the pelagic longline fisheries of American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. NMFS also proposes to authorize each U.S. territory to allocate up to 1,500 t of bigeye tuna of its catch limit to a U.S. longline fishing vessel or vessels holding a valid permit issued under Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 665.801 (50 CFR 665.801) and identified in a valid specified fishing agreement with a U.S. territory. The proposed specifications were recommended by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and would continue management of the pelagic longline fisheries of the western Pacific region in accordance with the procedures set forth in 50 CFR 665.819. This is the same catch and allocation management program that has been in place since 2014. The proposed 2020 territorial bigeye tuna catch limits are the same as in previous years; while the proposed allocation limits are an increase in the amount a territory may allocate, the fishery outcome is the same as has been authorized in previous years. NMFS has new information about status of sea turtles to be considered in the supplemental analysis.