NOAA raises Guam's bottomfish catch limit to 34,500 pounds and eases the closure trigger

NOAA Fisheries has raised the annual catch limit for bottomfish in Guam from 31,000 pounds to 34,500 pounds, under a final rule that took effect Nov. 2. The rule covers the Mariana bottomfish management unit species fished commercially and non-commercially around Guam.

The rule also changes what happens if catches run high. Instead of an in-season accountability measure, an overage adjustment will apply after the season only if the average catch over the latest three years exceeds the limit. It removes the stricter standard that closed the fishery in federal waters for any overage.

NOAA found the Guam bottomfish stock overfished in 2020 and put it under a rebuilding plan in 2022. A 2024 assessment update found the stock was no longer overfished but not yet rebuilt. The agency says the stock is making enough progress to support the changes while still meeting its 2031 rebuilding target.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: NOAA Fisheries (final rule effective Nov. 2, 2026).