Final Rule to Implement 2024-2026 Catch Limits and Accountability Measures for American Samoa Bottomfish
Summary
NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule to implement Amendment 7 to the American Samoa Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP). Amendment 7 and this rule:
- Discontinue the rebuilding plan for American Samoa bottomfish management unit species (BMUS)
- Implement new single-species annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) for American Samoa bottomfish for the 2024, 2025, and 2026 fishing years
- Establish indicator species for Etelis carbunculus (Palu-malau) and Pristipomoides filamentosus (Palu-ena ena)
The action is necessary because new best scientific information indicates the fishery is not overfished or experiencing overfishing, and new ACLs and AMs are warranted. This rule considers the best available scientific, commercial, and other information about the fishery, and would support the long-term sustainability of the fishery.
Catch Limits and Accountability Measures
The annual catch limits are:
Species | Samoan name | ACL (lb) |
Aphareus rutilans | Palu-gutusiliva | 8,554 |
Aprion virescens | Asoama | 4,872 |
Caranx lugubris | Tafauli | 3,086 |
Etelis coruscans | Palu-loa | 4,872 |
Lethrinus rubrioperculatus | Filoa-paomumu | 8,554 |
Lutjanus kasmira | Savane | 16,645 |
Pristipomoides flavipinnis | Palu-sina | 2,579 |
Pristipomoides zonatus | Palu-ula | 1,521 |
Variola louti | Velo | 2,205 |
As an AM, if the average catch of any species in the most recent three years exceeds its specified ACL, NOAA Fisheries will make an overage adjustment in a separate rulemaking to reduce the ACL for that species for the subsequent year by the amount of the overage. All ACLs for species for which the three most recent years of catch did not exceed the ACL will remain unchanged.
Indicator Species
The final rule also establishes indicator species for two BMUS that were unassessed in the 2023 stock assessment. Etelis coruscans is established as an indicator species for E. carbunculus (Palu-malau) and Pristipomoides flavipinnis is established as an indicator species for P. filamentosus (Palu-ena ena). Separate ACLs and AMs will not be implemented for E. carbunculus and P. filamentosus. Instead, they are subject to the post-season AM based on monitoring of catch of the indicator species.
Read the Federal Register notice and supporting documents >