Withdrawal of Proposed Catch and Retention Limits for Striped Marlin in Western and Central Pacific North of Equator
Summary
NOAA Fisheries is withdrawing a proposed rule to establish catch and retention limits for striped marlin. The rule would have applied to U.S. fishing vessels with Hawaiʻi longline limited entry permits that catch striped marlin within the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Convention Area north of the Equator and west of 150⁰W longitude.
We are withdrawing this proposed rule because a more recent stock assessment indicates that the stock is no longer overfished or approaching an overfished condition. As such, the stock status does not meet the statutory criteria needed for the action to proceed under Section 304(i) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
We recognize that striped marlin is still subject to overfishing, and we intend to revisit implementing domestic catch limits under another legal authority. Our priority is to ensure these fish are around for generations to come.