Bigeye Tuna Catch and Allocation Limits for Pelagic Longline Fisheries in the U.S. Pacific Island Territories (RIN 0648-XG925)

NMFS proposes to specify a 2019 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 1,000 t of its 2,000 t bigeye tuna 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 fishery would continue to operate under a catch and allocation program in accordance with the procedures set forth in 50 CFR 665.819.

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council recommended the proposed limits, which are identical to those that NMFS specified annually from 2014 to 2018. The limits were developed consistent with the process set forth in 50 CFR 665.819. The environmental assessment analyzes a range of potential territorial bigeye tuna catch and allocation limits for fishing years 2019 through 2023, to be annually reviewed by NMFS and the public prior to implementation. The proposed 2019 catch limits and accountability measures and the same limits in subsequent years would continue to support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Island, provide funds for fisheries development in U.S. territories and promote the availability of sustainably caught bigeye tuna from U.S. vessels. We expect the territorial allocations made by the territories to be similar to those of previous years and not change the way any U.S. longline fisheries are conducted; therefore, we do not expect any of the alternatives would result in large adverse environmental effects.