Hawaii consumers can expect more fresh sashimi and ahi poke through the holidays than previously expected.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has decided against imposing a ban on Hawaii longline fishing for bigeye tuna for this year, after reassessing the catch amounts.

The federal agency no longer expects Hawaii longline fishing vessels to reach the annual quota of 3,753 metric tons for bigeye tuna, said Michael Tosatto, the agency’s administrator for the Pacific islands region.

"We do not anticipate closing it this calendar year," Tosatto said. "There will continue to be ahi on the block."

Guy Tamashiro, vice president of seafood retailer Tamashiro Market Inc., said the agency’s decision will hopefully mean prices of ahi will be affordable during the holiday season.

"That’s something to look forward to," he said.

Tamashiro said ahi is the biggest seller for his store during the holiday season.

Oahu businessman Scott Barrows, who owns a longline fishing vessel, said he had called in his vessel in anticipation of the scheduled Nov. 27 closing but was glad to learn the agency had rescinded the decision.

"I’m happy about it happening," he said.

Tosatto said the agency informed Hawaii longline fishing vessels prior to Nov. 27.

The decision marks the first time Hawaii longliners will be fishing for bigeye tuna through the entire calendar year, since the quota was established in 2009.

The ban was in effect for two days starting Dec. 30, 2009, and from Nov. 21 through the end of 2010.

The fisheries service, in an attempt to stem what it sees as an overfishing of bigeye, has been enforcing the quota set by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, an international group that includes the United States, Pacific island nations and Asian and European countries.