Proposed Specifications of Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures for Bottomfish Management Unit Species in American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for Fishing Years 2016 and 2017 (RIN 0648- XE587)

NMFS proposes to specify annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) for bottomfish management unit species (BMUS) in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zones around American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) for the 2016 and 2017 fishing years. The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) recommended BMUS ACLs of 106,000 lb for American Samoa, 66,000 lb for Guam, and 228,000 lb for CNMI. The proposed action supports the long-term sustainability of fishery resources in the U.S. Pacific Islands. Although NMFS does not expect the proposed specifications to have potential significant impacts on protected species, we consider information about potential effects in the EA.