Biological Opinion on Continued Authorization of Pelagic Troll and Handline Fisheries, As Managed Under the Fishery Management Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region
September 01, 2009
NOAA Fisheries’ biological opinion of the effects on marine species protected under the Endangered Species Act from the continued authorization of pelagic troll and handline fisheries, as managed under the Fishery Management Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region.
This document represents NOAA Fisheries’ biological opinion (Opinion) of the effects on marine species protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) from the continued authorization of pelagic troll and handline fisheries, as managed under the Fishery Management Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region (Pelagics FMP). This Opinion is based on the review of the NOAA Fisheries July 2008 Biological Evaluation (BE) for Effects of Continued Operation of Non-Longline Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific on ESA-Listed Sea Turtles and Marine Mammals, recovery plans for U.S. Pacific populations of listed sea turtles and humpback whales, the most current marine mammal stock assessment reports, published and unpublished scientific information on the biology and ecology of threatened and endangered marine species in the action area, monitoring reports from prior fishing activity and research in the region, biological opinions on similar actions, and relevant scientific and gray literature.