0648-BN77 202504 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 0600 Department of Commerce DOC Pacific Island Fisheries; Protected Species Workshop; Crew Training Requirement for the Hawaii and American Samoa Longline Fisheries

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to expand protected species handling and release training currently required for vessel owners and operators fishing under Hawaii and American Samoa limited access longline permits to include a crew member training requirement. This action intends to reduce post-release mortality of protected species when interactions occur and is necessary to comply with the terms and conditions of the most recent Endangered Species Act (ESA) biological opinions for these fisheries. On December 17, 2024, the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) took initial action recommending these requirements and to ensure the continued permitting of incidental take of listed species under ESA Section 10 in these fisheries. The Council is expected to take final action on this proposal at its June 2025 meeting. NMFS would implement this action pursuant to the rulemaking authority under Section 303(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and implementing regulations at 50 CFR 600.350 and 50 CFR 600.355.

]]> Substantive, Nonsignificant First Time Published in The Unified Agenda Proposed Rule Stage No No Not subject to, not significant 50 CFR 665 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. No NPRM 08/00/2025 No No None No No No No Sarah Malloy Acting Regional Administrator, Pacific Islands Region 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 808 725-5000 sarah.malloy@noaa.gov 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu HI 96818