This proposed rule would establish new conservation and management measures for pelagic fisheries in the Western Pacific Region. These measures are designed to minimize bycatch of threatened and endangered sea turtles. Species of concern include the green, hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley sea turtles.

The rule proposes to eliminate certain prohibitions on longline fishing by vessels with Hawaii longline limited access permits or longline general permits. Instead, the rule would establish an annual limit on the number of shallow sets that may be conducted north of the equator by the Hawaii-based longline fleet; require the use of certain hooks, bait, and fishing times that minimize the bycatch and/or bycatch mortality of sea turtles; and establish annual limits on the numbers of fishery interactions with leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles.

This proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on January 28, 2004. Copies of the supporting analyses are available on the Internet at: http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/pir/ . Written comments should be mailed to Dr. Samuel Pooley, Acting Regional Administrator, NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; or faxed to 808-973-2941. Written comments will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or the Internet. All public comments must be received by February 27, 2004.