September 16, 2026 — The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council advanced discussions Tuesday on potential fishing access in Pacific marine national monuments, while deferring action on several proposed fishing regulations as additional discussion will take place.
The council deferred action on fishing regulations for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) and Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Sanctuary, as well as Hawaii and American Samoa longline sea turtle measures, until Wednesday, Sept. 16.
During the meeting, a key point discussed was that removing a monument-based fishing prohibition or an individual regulatory requirement would not eliminate other federal fishery regulations. Fisheries would still be subject to applicable requirements involving permits, reporting, catch limits, fishing gear, monitoring and protected species.