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Proposed Rule Regarding Gold Corals Harvest in the U.S. Pacific Islands

Proposed Rule |
Pacific Islands

Overview

Fishery Management
Fishing Type
Commercial, Non-Commercial (Pacific Islands)
Action Status
Proposed Rule
Published
09/22/2023

Summary

Colonies of gold coral in the deep-sea.
Outside Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, scientists recorded colonies of Hawaiian Gold Coral (Kulamanamana haumeaae). Gold corals grow very slowly and the large sizes of the colonies seen suggest that some of the colonies could be nearly 2,000 years old. Credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research

NOAA Fisheries is proposing to extend the current moratorium on the harvest of gold corals in federal waters across the U.S. Pacific Islands (American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaiʻi, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas). The proposed extension would be for five years—through June 30, 2028. It would prevent potential overfishing and allow time for more research on this slow-growing coral, to ensure any future harvest is sustainable.

NOAA Fisheries welcomes comments on the proposed rule. Comments must be submitted no later than Oct. 23, 2023.

Read the Federal Register notice and supporting documents

Federal Register

Last updated by Pacific Islands Regional Office on 09/22/2023

Pacific Islands