2019 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits

In this final rule, NOAA Fisheries specifies a 2019 limit of 2,000 metric tons (t) of longline-caught bigeye tuna for each U.S. Pacific territory (American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). NOAA Fisheries will allow each territory to allocate up to 1,000 t each year to U.S. longline fishing vessels in a valid specified fishing agreement. As an accountability measure, NOAA Fisheries will monitor, attribute, and (if necessary) restrict catches of longline-caught bigeye tuna, including catches made under a specified fishing agreement.

These catch limits and accountability measures support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands.

The specifications are effective July 17, 2019, through December 31, 2019. The deadline to submit a specified fishing agreement pursuant to 50 CFR 665.819(b)(3) for review is August 19, 2019.