Final Framework and 2026 Limits for Striped Marlin in the Western and Central Pacific

NOAA Fisheries is implementing a framework to determine the following for Western and Central North Pacific Ocean (WCNPO) striped marlin (Kajikia audax):

• Catch limits for all U.S. fisheries
• Retention limits for U.S. longline fisheries under a Hawaiʻi longline limited entry permit

Under this framework, we will annually specify the WCNPO striped marlin limit and U.S. longline retention limit through a Federal Register notice. If we project the U.S. longline retention limit will be reached, we will prohibit longline retention of WCNPO striped marlin until the end of the year.

This framework is consistent with international fishery management requirements from the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, to which the United States is a founding member.

2026 Limits

For fishing year 2026, NOAA Fisheries specifies the following limits under this framework:

• U.S. WCNPO striped marlin limit of 393.4 metric tons (mt) (867,300 pounds (lb))
• U.S. longline retention limit of 381.6 mt (841,300 lb)

Read details in the Federal Register notice and supporting documentation

This final rule is effective October 14, 2026.