Final specifications; 2020 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits

NOAA Fisheries specifies a 2020 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 (CNMI)). NOAA Fisheries will allow each territory to allocate up to 1,500 t each year to U.S. longline fishing vessels in a specified fishing agreement that meets established criteria, but the overall allocation limit among all territories may not exceed 3,000 t. As an accountability measure, NOAA Fisheries will monitor, attribute, and restrict (if necessary) catches of longline-caught bigeye tuna, including catches made under a specified fishing agreement. These catch limits and accountability measures support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands. The final specifications are effective August 17, 2020, through December 31, 2020. The deadline to submit a specified fishing agreement pursuant to 50 FR 665.819(b)(3) for review is December 17, 2020. 

Read the Federal Register notice and supporting documentation