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Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific

Pacific Islands

About

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council developed five fishery ecosystem plans for fisheries in the Pacific Islands region, and has amended them, as necessary. These plans incorporated and replaced five fishery management plans. The original plans are available from the council. In addition to the plans and amendments, the implementing regulations are subject to change.

  • Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific (PDF)
  • Amendment 1- Western Pacific Community Development Program Process (PDF)
  • Amendment 2- Longline and Purse Seine Prohibited Areas in the Mariana Archipelago (partially approved) (PDF)
  • Amendment 3- Purse Seine Prohibited Areas around American Samoa (Disapproved, for further details contact the Sustainable Fisheries Division at NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office)
  • Amendment 4 - Process for Specifying Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures (PDF)
  • Amendment 5 - Reducing Interactions between the American Samoa Longline Fishery and Green Sea Turtles (PDF)
  • Amendment 6 - Fishing Requirements in the Marianas Trench, Pacific Remote Islands, and Rose Atoll Marine National Monuments (PDF)
  • Amendment 7 - ​Use and Assignment of Catch and Effort Limits of Pelagic Management Unit Species by the ​U.S. Pacific Island Territories (PDF)
  • Amendment 8 - In process
  • Amendment 9 - In process
  • Amendment 10 - Sea Turtle Limits in the Hawaiʻi Shallow-Set Fishery (PDF)

More Information

Actions

Under Development Implemented Actions

Withdrawal of Proposed Catch and Retention Limits for Striped Marlin in Western and Central Pacific North of Equator

Due to a stock status change, NOAA Fisheries is withdrawing its proposal to establish Hawaiʻi longline catch and retention limits for striped marlin caught within the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Convention Area north of the Equator.
Proposed Rule,
Pacific Islands
Published
11/05/2024

2024-2027 Marine Conservation Plan for American Samoa; Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund

NOAA Fisheries announces the approval of a 2024–2027 Marine Conservation Plan for American Samoa.
Notice,
Pacific Islands
Published
08/30/2024

Bycatch Reporting Amendments to Pacific Islands Fishery Ecosystem Plans

NOAA Fisheries announces amendments to the Pacific Islands region fishery ecosystem plans. The amendments ensure these plans clearly describe the bycatch reporting methods used to assess the amount and type of bycatch in the fisheries.
Notice,
Highly Migratory Species
Pacific Islands
Published
05/07/2024

Permits Available for American Samoa Longline Limited Entry

NOAA Fisheries is accepting applications for American Samoa longline limited entry permits.
Notice,
Pacific Islands
Published
05/01/2024

2024–2026 Marine Conservation Plan for Guam; Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund

NOAA Fisheries announces the approval of a 2024–2026 Marine Conservation Plan for Guam.
Notice,
Pacific Islands
Published
03/27/2024

Supplemental Biological Opinion for Hawaiʻi Shallow-Set Longline Fishery

NOAA Fisheries issued a no-jeopardy supplemental biological opinion on the agency’s authorization of the Hawaiʻi shallow-set longline fishery as currently managed for North Pacific Ocean loggerhead sea turtles.
Notice,
Pacific Islands
Issued
03/12/2024

Marine Conservation Plan for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

NOAA Fisheries announces approval of a Marine Conservation Plan for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, valid from effective from August 4, 2023, through August 3, 2026.
Notice,
Pacific Islands
Published
12/08/2023

2023 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

NOAA Fisheries announces a fishing agreement between the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Hawaiʻi Longline Association regarding CNMI’s 2023 longline bigeye tuna catch limits.
Notice,
Pacific Islands
Published
10/03/2023

Permit Amendment—Testing Tori Lines in Hawaiʻi Shallow-Set Longline Fishery

NOAA Fisheries is amending an experimental fishing permit to investigate the use of bird-deterring lines to increase operational flexibility in the Hawaiʻi swordfish fishery.
Notice,
Pacific Islands
Published
09/29/2023

Marine Conservation Plan for Pacific Insular Areas

Notice of agency decision; Marine Conservation Plan for Pacific Insular Areas other than American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands; Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund.
Notice,
Pacific Islands
Published
05/26/2023

Biological Opinion on Hawaiʻi Deep-Set Longline Fishery

NOAA Fisheries issued a biological opinion on the authorization of the Hawaiʻi deep-set longline fishery.
Notice,
Pacific Islands
Published
05/18/2023

Biological Opinion on American Samoa Longline Fishery

NOAA Fisheries issued a biological opinion on the authorization of the American Samoa longline fishery.
Notice,
Pacific Islands
Published
05/15/2023

2022 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits for American Samoa

American Samoa to allocate up to 1,500 metric tons of its 2022 bigeye tuna limit to U.S. longline fishing vessels.
Notice,
Pacific Islands
Published
08/29/2022

Amendment 9 to the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific

Notification of availability of a fishery ecosystem plan amendment; request for comments. 
Proposed Rule,
Pacific Islands
Published
06/30/2021

Amendment 10 to the Pelagic FEP - Sea Turtle Limits in the Hawaiʻi Shallow-set Longline Fishery (0648-BJ27)

NOAA Fisheries announces that the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council proposes to amend the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific. Amendment 10 would facilitate management of Hawaiʻi shallow-set longline fishery interactions with sea turtles to ensure a continued supply of fresh domestic swordfish to U.S. markets, consistent with sea turtle conservation.
Notice,
Pacific Islands
Published
01/23/2020

Proposed Information Collection for U.S. Territorial Catch and Fishing Effort Limits

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as req
Notice,
Pacific Islands
Published
09/18/2018

Marine Conservation Plan for Guam

NOAA Fisheries announces approval of a Marine Conservation Plan for Guam, valid from August 4, 2017, through August 3, 2020.
Notice,
Pacific Islands
Published
08/16/2017

Changes to Pacific Bigeye Tuna Longline Catch Limit

NOAA Fisheries is issuing an interim final rule to change bigeye tuna catch limits for U.S. longline vessels in the Pacific.
Interim Rule,
Highly Migratory Species
Pacific Islands
Effective
08/06/2024

Tori Line Requirement for Stern-Setting Vessels in Hawaiʻi Deep-Set Longline Fishery

NOAA Fisheries is replacing blue-dyed bait and strategic offal discharge requirements with a new tori line (bird-scaring streamer) requirement. The rule applies to Hawaiʻi longline vessels that stern-set above 23° N latitude.
Final Rule,
Pacific Islands
Effective
04/01/2024

2023 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits

Final rule on 2023 limits for longline-caught bigeye tuna in American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Final Rule,
Highly Migratory Species
Pacific Islands
Published
06/15/2023

Final Rule Regarding Pelagic Longline Gear and Operational Requirements

NOAA Fisheries is implementing longline gear and operational requirements to increase the survival of hooked oceanic whitetip sharks, effective May 31, 2022. This final rule prohibits the use of steel wire leaders within 1 meter of any hook deployed in the Hawaiʻi deep-set longline fishery.
Final Rule,
Pacific Islands
Published
04/28/2022

Electronic Logbooks in the Hawaiʻi and American Samoa Pelagic Longline Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries will require the use of electronic logbooks in the Hawaii deep-set and shallow-set longline fisheries and for Class C and D vessels in the American Samoa pelagic longline fishery.
Final Rule,
Pacific Islands
Published
11/01/2021

Modifications to the American Samoa Longline Fishery Limited Entry Program 

Final rule to modify the American Samoa Longline Fishery Limited Entry Program. The rule is effective November 8, 2021.
Final Rule,
Pacific Islands
Published
10/07/2021

Exemption for U.S. Longline Vessels to Fish in Portions of the American Samoa Large Vessel Prohibited Area

Final rule removes a regulatory exemption that allowed certain large U.S. Longline Vessels to fish in portions of the American Samoa Large Vessel Prohibited Area.
Final Rule,
Pacific Islands
Effective
07/06/2021

2021 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits 

Final specifications; 2021 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits.
Final Rule,
Pacific Islands
Published
01/12/2021

Swordfish Trip Limits in the American Samoa Pelagic Longline Fishery

Final rule; Swordfish Trip Limits in the American Samoa Pelagic Longline Fishery; effective December 10, 2020. 
Final Rule,
Pacific Islands
Effective
12/10/2020

Correction: 2020 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Pacific Island Fisheries; 2020 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; Correction
Final Rule,
Pacific Islands
Published
12/02/2020

2020 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits for American Samoa

Pacific Island Fisheries; 2020 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits for American Samoa
Final Rule,
Pacific Islands
Published
10/07/2020

Final Rule for Sea Turtle Limits in the Hawaiʻi Shallow-Set Longline Fishery 

Final rule; Sea Turtle Limits in the Hawaiʻi Shallow-set Longline Fishery. 
Final Rule,
Pacific Islands
Effective
09/17/2020

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Bigeye Tuna Fishery Closure

NOAA Fisheries is closing the U.S. pelagic longline fishery for bigeye tuna in the western and central Pacific Ocean because the fishery will reach the 2019 allocation limit for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island.
Final Rule,
Pacific Islands
Effective
11/04/2019

2019 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits for American Samoa

NOAA Fisheries announces a valid specified fishing agreement that allocates up to 1,000 metric tons (t) of the 2019 bigeye tuna limit for the Territory of American Samoa to U.S. longline fishing vessels. The agreement supports the long-term sustainability
Final Rule,
Pacific Islands
Effective
10/28/2019

2019 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

NOAA Fisheries announces a valid specified fishing agreement that allocates up to 1,000 metric tons (t) of the 2019 bigeye tuna limit for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to U.S. longline fishing vessels.
Final Rule,
Pacific Islands
Published
08/01/2019

Bigeye Tuna Longline Fishery Closure

NOAA Fisheries is closing the U.S. pelagic longline fishery for bigeye tuna in the western and central Pacific Ocean because the fishery has reached the 2019 catch limit. This action is necessary to ensure compliance with NOAA Fisheries regulations.
Temporary Rule,
Pacific Islands
Issued
07/24/2019

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).
Final Rule,
Pacific Islands
Published
07/18/2019

Temporary Closure of the 2019 Hawaiʻi Shallow-set Pelagic Longline Fishery

This final rule closes the Hawaiʻi shallow-set pelagic longline fishery north of the Equator for all vessels registered under the Hawaiʻi longline limited access program. The shallow-set fishery has reached the annual limit of 17 physical interactions.
Final Rule,
Pacific Islands
Published
03/28/2019

Loggerhead Interactions in the Hawaiʻi Shallow-set Pelagic Longline Fishery

This final rule revises from 34 to 17 the annual number of allowable incidental interactions that may occur between the Hawaiʻi shallow-set pelagic longline fishery and North Pacific loggerhead sea turtles.
Final Rule,
Pacific Islands
Effective
01/01/2019

Temporary Closure of the Hawaiʻi Shallow-set Pelagic Longline Fishery

This final rule closes the Hawaiʻi shallow-set pelagic longline fishery in compliance with an order of the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaiʻi, effective from May 11, 2018, through December 31, 2018.
Temporary Rule,
Pacific Islands
Published
05/11/2018

Last updated by Pacific Islands Regional Office on 11/18/2024