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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.