Striped Marlin Limit Hits: Hawaii Fishers Face Retention Ban
Published Date: 9/15/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting October 14, 2026, U.S. longline fishers with Hawaii permits must follow new catch and keep limits for striped marlin in the Western and Central North Pacific Ocean. If the catch limit of 393.4 metric tons is hit, fishers can’t keep any more striped marlin for the rest of the year. These limits will be updated yearly to keep the fish population healthy and fishing fair.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Longline retention ban when limit reached
If NMFS projects the longline retention limit will be reached, longline vessels with a Hawaii longline limited entry permit may not retain, transship, or land striped marlin caught north of the Equator and west of 150°W from the non-retention date through December 31 of that year. The non-retention date will be published in the Federal Register at least 7 days before it can take effect, and all striped marlin caught on or after that date must be immediately released (alive or dead) unless they were already on board before the non-retention date and landed within 14 days.
2026 catch and longline limits set
For fishing year 2026, NMFS set the U.S. WCNPO striped marlin catch limit at 393.4 metric tons (867,300 lb) and the U.S. longline retention limit at 381.6 metric tons (841,300 lb). NMFS will specify updated catch and longline retention limits each year by Federal Register notice early in the calendar year.
Small-entity economic finding
NMFS certified during the proposed rule stage that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, and therefore a final regulatory flexibility analysis was not required. No comments were received that altered that certification.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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