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Environmental Assessment for the modification of Seabird Interaction Mitigation Measures in the Hawaii Deep-set Longline Fishery
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2024
[PDF-3.59 MB]
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Description:In an effort to reduce interactions with seabirds, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing to amend the seabird mitigation rules for the Hawaii deep-set longline (DSLL) fishery operating under the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region (FEP) to: 1. Replace blue-dyed thawed bait and offal (fish, fish parts, spent bait) discharge measures required for stern-setting DSLL vessels with a new tori line requirement; and 2. In lieu of a regulatory requirement for offal discharge, implement best practices training on offal management.
From 2019-2021, a cooperative research project by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), the Hawaii Longline Association, NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, and NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office conducted two field studies to design and test tori lines (also known as bird scaring lines or streamer lines) in the Hawaii DSLL fishery. The studies show that tori lines are significantly more effective in preventing longline gear interactions with black-footed albatross and Laysan albatross than blue-dyed bait, which is currently required as part of the seabird interaction mitigation measures implemented under the FEP. Discharging offal is also required under the existing measures, but available informationsuggests that, rather than distracting seabirds while setting our hauling, this practice may increase interactions over time by attracting more seabirds to the fishing vessels.
At its 189th meeting in December 2021, the Council recommended this rule change to improve the overall operational practicality and mitigation efficacy of seabird mitigation measures for the Hawaii DSLL fishery. This draft environmental assessment (EA) evaluates the potential environmental effects of the following alternatives (see section 2.2): Alternative 1, the no action or status quo alternative, would not make any changes to existing seabird mitigation requirements for longline fisheries operating under the FEP. Alternative 2 would replace blue-dyed thawed bait and offal discharge measures required for stern-setting vessels with a new tori line requirement (Council preferred alternative). Alternative 3 would replace the blue-dyed, thawed bait requirement with a new tori line requirement, and modify the offal discharge requirement to an offal management requirement.
All other existing seabird mitigation and release requirements would remain in place under all three alternatives.
On October 17, 2023, NMFS published the proposed rule, draft EA, and request for public comments in the Federal Register (88 FR 71523). The comment period ended on October 16, 2023, and NMFS received a comment from one organization generally supporting the action.
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Content Notes:The title page of the document incorrectly dates the document to 2023.
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Rights Information:CC0 Public Domain
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