CNMI Bottomfish – Proposed 2024-2025 Annual Catch Limit and Accountability Measure
Summary
NOAA Fisheries is proposing to implement a new annual catch limit of 82,000 lb and a new annual catch target of 75,000 lb for bottomfish in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. These measures would apply to fishing years 2024 and 2025, which each begin on January 1 and end on December 31.
NOAA Fisheries is also proposing to keep the most recent accountability measure in place. Under this measure, if NOAA Fisheries and the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council determine that the average catch of bottomfish from the most recent three-year period exceeds the annual catch limit, then NOAA Fisheries would reduce the annual catch limit and annual catch target in the subsequent fishing years by the amount of the overage. If the average catch from the most recent three-year period exceeds the annual catch target, but is below the annual catch limit, NOAA Fisheries would not apply a post-season correction.
This action supports the long-term sustainability of the bottomfish fisheries in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands. NOAA Fisheries welcomes comments on the proposed rule through June 24, 2024.