Hawaii Fishermen Face New Deep-Sea Bottomfish Catch Caps
Published Date: 9/4/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
Starting September 2024, fishermen in the main Hawaiian Islands will follow new yearly catch limits for Deep 7 bottomfish to keep the fish population healthy. These limits will stay in place through 2027, helping protect the fish without changing current rules on what happens if limits are exceeded. This plan supports sustainable fishing while keeping the fun and tradition alive for local fishers.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Annual Catch Limits Set for MHI
Starting with the fishing year beginning September 1, 2024, fishermen in the Main Hawaiian Islands must follow new annual catch limits (ACLs) for Deep 7 bottomfish for the fishing years 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and 2026-2027. These ACLs are intended to guide how much Deep 7 bottomfish can be taken each fishing year (each year runs September 1 through August 31).
Fishing Year Dates Confirmed
The rule states the fishing year for the Deep 7 bottomfish fishery begins on September 1 and ends on August 31 of the following year. That date range defines when annual catch limits and management actions apply each year.
Accountability Measures Left Unchanged
The proposed rule does not revise, add, or remove the current accountability measures (AMs) that apply when catch limits are exceeded. Existing AMs will remain in place alongside the new annual catch limits.
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Key Dates
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