Biological Opinion on the Implementation of Bottomfish Fishing Regulations Within Federal Waters of the Main Hawaiian Islands
March 18, 2008
NOAA Fisheries’ biological opinion of the effects of the phased implementation of Amendment 14 to the Bottomfish Fishery Management Plan on marine species.
This document represents NOAA Fisheries’ biological opinion of the effects of the phased implementation of Amendment 14 to the Bottomfish Fishery Management Plan on marine species protected under the Endangered Species Act. This opinion is based on our review of the February 7th, 2008, Biological Assessment prepared by the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office, recovery plans for the Hawaiian monk seal and 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of listed sea turtles and humpback whales, the most current marine mammal stock assessment reports, published and unpublished scientific information on the biology and ecology of threatened and endangered marine species in the action area, monitoring reports from prior fishing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.