June 5, 2026 — The following was released by the the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will hold its 207th meeting June 9–11, 2026, at the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center in American Samoa to discuss major fishery issues affecting the territory and the wider Pacific.
A key focus will be South Pacific albacore tuna, an important fishery for American Samoa’s longline fleet, cannery and supporting businesses. The Council will review tuna allocation scenarios and criteria being developed through the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, where international negotiations are underway. For American Samoa, the discussion centers on ensuring the territory’s fleet has meaningful access under any future regional catch limits. This access could help restore South Pacific albacore as a viable fishery for one of the last truly island-based albacore operations in the Pacific.
“The Council is working to make sure American Samoa receives a fair share of any South Pacific albacore allocation to revive our local longline fleet,” said Council Chair Nathan Ilaoa. “South Pacific albacore and the tuna industry do more than support fishing jobs. They help lower the cost of fuel, electricity and shipping for our islands, while strengthening food security and sustaining a Pacific Island fishery that operates under strong U.S. standards.”
The Council will also receive updates from the BOEM and NOAA’s National Ocean Service on proposed deep-sea mineral mining near American Samoa and in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, an area of the high seas outside the U.S. exclusive economic zone. Federal agencies are reviewing mining interest in the Pacific, while Council advisors, community members and local leaders have raised concerns about potential impacts to fisheries, ocean ecosystems and future generations. The Council may provide comments or recommendations on deep-sea mining activities in the Western Pacific.
Other agenda items include outcomes from the first Bigeye Tuna Management Procedure Workshop, held in May, and an update on electronic monitoring implementation for the Hawai‘i and American Samoa longline fisheries. Electronic monitoring is intended to support fishery data collection and improve coverage while vessels are at sea. The Council will also consider final action on annual catch limit specifications for the main Hawaiian Islands Kona crab fishery for 2027–2030.
As part of Council meeting week, the public is invited to attend the Fishers Forum, “Fishing for Science,” Tuesday, June 9, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center in Utulei. The free, family friendly event will show how fisheries data supports management decisions and the future of fishing in American Samoa. The evening will include informational tables, presentations and recognition for participants.
The 207th Council meeting is open to the public, with public comment opportunities scheduled during the meeting and remote participation available by Webex.
How to Join
In-Person: Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center, Utulei, AS
Meeting Dates: June 9-11, 2026
Fishers Forum: Tuesday, June 9, 6-8:30 p.m.
Online: Via Webex: https://tinyurl.com/207CouncilMtg, Event password: CM207mtg
Get the Full Agenda & Documents: www.wpcouncil.org/event/207th-council-meeting
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council manages fisheries in federal waters around American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Hawai‘i and the Pacific Remote Island Areas.
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council: Secretary of Commerce appointees from nominees selected by American Samoa, the CNMI, Guam and Hawai‘i governors: Roger Dang, Fresh Island Fish Co. (Hawai‘i) (vice chair); Edgar Feliciano, Feli Fisheries Inc. (American Samoa); Pete Itibus, Saipan Fishermen’s Association (CNMI); Frank Perez, AC Sales and Service, (Guam); Matt Ramsey, Conservation International (Hawai‘i); Jesse Rosario, fisherman (Guam); Will Sword, American Samoa Power Authority (American Samoa) (vice chair); and Gene Weaver, Tasi to Table (CNMI). Designated state officials: Ryan Kanaka‘ole, Hawai‘i Dept. of Land & Natural Resources; Sylvan Igisomar, CNMI Dept. of Lands & Natural Resources (vice chair); Nathan Ilaoa, American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources (chair); and Chelsa Muña, Guam Dept. of Agriculture (vice chair). Designated federal officials (voting): Sarah Malloy, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office. Designated federal officials (nonvoting): Jeremy Raynal, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; RADM Sean Regan, U.S. Coast Guard Oceania District; Rachel Ryan, U.S. State Dept.; and Barry Thom, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.