Pacific Island Fisheries; Catch and Retention Limits for Striped Marlin in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean North of the Equator

NMFS proposes a framework to establish catch and longline retention limits for Western and Central North Pacific Ocean (WCNPO) striped marlin, consistent with internationally agreed management measures. Under the framework, once the longline retention limit is reached, retention in longline fisheries would be prohibited for the remainder of the year. NMFS also proposes to annually specify limits under the framework by notice in the Federal Register. For 2026, NMFS proposes a U.S. catch limit of 393.4 metric tons (mt; 867,300 pounds(lb)) and a longline retention limit of 381.6 mt (841,300 lb).