Hawaii Deep 7 Bottomfish Get Strict Annual Catch Caps
Published Date: 4/21/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting September 1, 2025, fishermen in the Main Hawaiian Islands must stick to a 493,000-pound limit on catching Deep 7 bottomfish each year through 2027. If they hit this limit early, the fishery will close for the rest of the year, and next year’s limit will shrink if they go over. This rule helps keep these special fish healthy and fishing sustainable for the future.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
493,000‑Pound Annual Catch Cap
For the Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 bottomfish, the annual catch limit (ACL) is set at 493,000 pounds (223,621 kg) for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 fishing years. The fishing year runs from September 1 to August 31. This ACL is implemented in federal regulation and applies beginning with the 2025-2026 fishing year.
Automatic Closure and ACL Reduction
If the Deep 7 ACL of 493,000 pounds is reached during a fishing year, the fishery will close for the remainder of that fishing year. If the ACL is exceeded, next year’s ACL will be reduced according to the existing accountability measures (AMs) in 50 CFR 665.211.
No Significant Small‑Entity Economic Impact
NMFS certified during the proposed rule stage that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, so a regulatory flexibility analysis was not required. That certification was not challenged in public comment.
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Key Dates
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