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Rule2026-201402026-10-01

Pacific Island Fisheries; Annual Catch Limit and Accountability Measures for Mariana Bottomfish Management Unit Species in the Guam Management Subarea

Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Abstract

NMFS is modifying the annual catch limit (ACL) and accountability measures (AM) for Mariana bottomfish management unit species (MUS) in the Guam Management Subarea (the fishery). The rule increases the ACL from 31,000 pounds (lb) (14,061 kilograms (kg)) to 34,500 lb (15,649 kg), replaces the in-season AM with a post-season overage adjustment if the average catch from the most recent 3 years exceeds the ACL, and removes the higher performance standard that closes the fishery in Federal waters for any overage. The rule is based on the best available scientific, commercial, and other information about the fishery, and supports rebuilding of the fishery.

Action & Dates

Action
Final rule.
Dates
The final rule is effective November 2, 2026.
Effective Date
2026-11-02

CFR References

Topics

FishingGuam

Document Excerpt

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 665 [Docket No. 260911-0004] RIN 0648-BN73 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: NMFS is modifying the annual catch limit (ACL) and accountability measures (AM) for Mariana bottomfish management unit species (MUS) in the Guam Management Subarea (the fishery). The rule increases the ACL from 31,000 pounds (lb) (14,061 kilograms (kg)) to 34,500 lb (15,649 kg), replaces the in-season AM with a post-season overage adjustment if the average catch from the most recent 3 years exceeds the ACL, and removes the higher performance standard that closes the fishery in Federal waters for any overage. The rule is based on the best available scientific, commercial, and other information about the fishery, and supports rebuilding of the fishery. DATES: The final rule is effective November 2, 2026. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Mariana Archipelago (FEP) are available from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel. 808-522-8220, fax 808-522-8226, or https://www.wpcouncil.org . Copies of the environmental analyses and other supporting documents for this action are available from https://www.regulations.gov/​docket/​NOAA-NMFS-2025-0504 , or from Sarah J. Malloy, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islan…

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Full Document

Citation: 91 FR 62340