<RULE>
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
<SUBAGY>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</SUBAGY>
<CFR>50 CFR Part 665</CFR>
<DEPDOC>[Docket No. 240501-0123]</DEPDOC>
<RIN>RIN 0648-BM65</RIN>
<SUBJECT>Pacific Island Fisheries; Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures for Main Hawaiian Islands Kona Crab for Fishing Years 2024-2026</SUBJECT>
<HD SOURCE="HED">AGENCY:</HD>
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
<HD SOURCE="HED">ACTION:</HD>
Final rule.
<SUM>
<HD SOURCE="HED">SUMMARY:</HD>
This final rule implements an annual catch limit (ACL), annual catch target (ACT), and accountability measures (AM) for main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) Kona crab for fishing years 2024, 2025, and 2026. NMFS will close Federal waters to Kona crab fishing for the remainder of the fishing year if NMFS projects the fishery will reach the ACT. NMFS will reduce the ACT and ACL in the subsequent fishing year by the overage amount if landings exceed the ACL in a fishing year. NMFS intends this final rule to support the long-term sustainability of MHI Kona crab.
</SUM>
<EFFDATE>
<HD SOURCE="HED">DATES:</HD>
This rule is effective June 6, 2024.
</EFFDATE>
<HD SOURCE="HED">ADDRESSES:</HD>
Background information on main Hawaiian Island Kona crab fishery is found in the Fishery Ecosystem Plans for the Hawaii Archipelago (FEP) available from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, telephone 808-522-8220, fax 808-522-8226, or
<E T="03">https://www.wpcouncil.org.</E>
Copies of supporting documents for this action are available from
<E T="03">https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2023-0071,</E>
or from Sarah Malloy, Acting Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.
<FURINF>
<HD SOURCE="HED">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:</HD>
Savannah
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