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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BN78 Publication ID: Spring 2025 
Title: ●Pacific Island Fisheries; Amendment to the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific; Electronic Monitoring for the Hawaii and American Samoa Longline Fisheries 
Abstract:

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to amend the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific. The amendment and implementing regulations would authorize the use of data collected by onboard electronic monitoring systems (EM) cameras and related equipment for use in management of vessels fishing under Hawaii and American Samoa limited access longline permits. On December 17, 2024, the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council took initial action recommending the amendment recognizing increasing costs and reduced congressionally appropriated funds for maintaining the currently required onboard human observer monitoring program for these fisheries. The intent of the proposed action is to provide robust and reliable estimates of protected species interactions and catch to fulfill statutory requirements while reducing the overall costs of a monitoring program. The Council is expected to take final action on this proposal at its June 2025 meeting. NMFS would implement this action pursuant to rulemaking authority under Section 303(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This action is necessary to comply with the reasonable and prudent measures of the current Endangered Species Act biological opinions for these fisheries and for meeting Marine Mammal Protection Act regulations at 50 CFR 229.7.

 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
EO 14192 Designation: Not subject to, not significant 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 665   
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  02/00/2026 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined  Government Levels Affected: None 
Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Sarah Malloy
Acting Regional Administrator, Pacific Islands Region
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176,
Honolulu, HI 96818
Phone:808 725-5000
Email: sarah.malloy@noaa.gov