Consistent with a recommendation from the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council at the 194^th meeting in March 2023, NMFS proposes to establish requirements for fishing in the Papahnaumokukea Marine National Monument Expansion Area (MEA) pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. On August 31, 2016, President Obama issued Presidential Proclamation 9478, which established the MEA. Proclamation 9478 directs the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate implementing regulations under its authority that address specific actions necessary for the proper care and management of the MEA, including fishery resources, and Native Hawaiian practices. The Proclamation also directs the Secretary of Commerce to consider initiating the process under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) to designate the MEA and adjacent Papahnaumokukea Marine National Monument as a national marine sanctuary. The proposed rule would codify the prohibition on commercial fishing as set forth in Presidential Proclamation 9478, which established the MEA. The proposed rule would also establish management measures for non-commercial fishing and Native Hawaiian subsistence fishing. The proposed action is necessary for management of fishery resources consistent with Proclamation 9478, as well as the draft goals and objectives of the proposed Papahnaumokukea National Marine Sanctuary and the purposes and objectives of the NMSA. There are no active commercial fisheries in the MEA, and non-commercial fishing activity is minimal due to the remote location of the area. The Agency's inclusion of this rule is based on high public interest in the conservation and management of the area, including its consideration as a National Marine Sanctuary. Because the proposed action includes provisions for allowing Native Hawaiian traditional fishing practices, development of the proposed action included over a dozen public meetings and hearings across the State of Hawaii over several years to obtain input from members of Native Hawaiian fishing communities.