Western Pacific Pelagic Fisheries; Prohibiting Longline Fishing Within 30 nm of the Northern Mariana Islands
other · western pacific · Published 2011-06-27 · Effective 2011-07-27 · 76 FR 37287
Document
Document number
2011-16039
Federal Register citation
76 FR 37287
Type
Rule
Action
Final rule.
Category
other
Region
western pacific
Publication date
2011-06-27
Effective date
2011-07-27
NOAA docket
Docket No. 0808051054-1319-02
Abstract
This final rule prohibits pelagic longline fishing within approximately 30 nautical miles (nm) of the islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). By establishing a longline fishing prohibited area around the CNMI, NMFS intends to reduce the potential for nearshore localized fish depletion from longline fishing, and to limit catch competition and gear conflicts between the CNMI- based longline and trolling fleets. This rule also makes several administrative clarifications to the pelagic fishing regulations.