Proposed 2015-16 Specifications; Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures for Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish (RIN 0648-XE062)

NMFS proposes to specify an annual catch limit (ACL) of 326,000 lb of Deep 7 bottomfish in the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) for the fishing year September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2016. NMFS would monitor Deep 7 bottomfish catches from commercial fishermen. When NMFS projects that the fishery will reach the ACL, NMFS would close the commercial and non-commercial fisheries for MHI Deep 7 bottomfish for the remainder of the fishing year as an accountability measure (AM). The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council recommended the ACL and AM. The proposed rule would specify an ACL for fishing year 2015-16. The EA will describe a range of potential ACLs for fishing years 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18, because the Council recommended a phased-in approach for implementing the ACL over three years. The EA will describe the fishery and potential impacts of the proposed action on the environment, including, but not limited to, target, non-target, protected resources, and the fishing community. NMFS does not expect the proposed ACL and AM specifications to result in a change to the fishery that would result in large adverse environmental impacts. NMFS will consider public comments on the proposed ACL and AM and on the draft EA.