Specification of annual catch limits and accountability measures for main Hawaiian islands deep 7 bottomfish fisheries in fishing years 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18 : final environmental assessment

NMFS proposes to specify annual catch limits (ACL) and accountability measures (AM) for Hawaii Deep 7 bottomfish in fishing years 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18, as recommended by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council. This environmental assessment (EA) analyzes the potential environmental effects of the proposed action. NMFS would implement the specifications for each fishing year separately. The specifications would apply to bottomfish fishing in federal waters (the Exclusive Economic Zone or EEZ; generally 3-200 nm from shore) around the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI). As an AM, NMFS would close the fishery if data indicate that the fishery will reach the ACL. NMFS would also correct the next year's ACL if an overage occurs. The MHI Deep 7 bottomfish are onaga, ehu, gindai, kalekale, opakapaka, lehi, and hapuupuu.