November 25, 2022 — The following was released by Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:
Scientists from throughout the Western Pacific Region will meet Nov. 29 to 30, 2022, to provide advice and comments to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council on the fishing regulations in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), fishery interaction studies and analyses with species protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), an assessment of area-based management areas in the United States and other topics.
The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet virtually via web conference. The full agenda, background documents and instructions for connecting to the meeting and providing oral public comments are available at www.wpcouncil.org/event/146th-scientific-and-statistical-committee-virtual-meeting.
Fishing Regulations in the NWHI
At its 193rd meeting in December, the Council will take action on fishing regulations in the NWHI Monument Expansion Area (MEA). Presidential Proclamation 9478 that established the MEA in 2016 authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to manage noncommercial fishing consistent with the overall objectives of the area. The SSC will consider a report from community meetings held in November around the main Hawaiian Islands to gather feedback from the public regarding definitions for subsistence fishing. The SSC may provide the Council with advice and recommendations on refined fishing regulation alternatives.
False Killer Whale and Hawai‘i Deep-Set Longline Fishery Interaction Studies
The SSC will discuss outcomes from the FKW Take Reduction Team that met in November 2022 to review implications of the latest FKW interaction studies, assess the effectiveness of the current plan and brainstorm potential modifications to management measures. The Council is a member of the Team, formed under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to reduce impacts to FKWs that are accidentally hooked or entangled in the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery. Most FKWs are released alive, but MMPA guidelines assume the animals may become seriously injured if they are released with the hook in the mouth or trailing line.
The Team formed working groups to refine options for gear modifications and handling guidance, and to develop a fighting line/cutter device, among other topics, in preparation for a follow up meeting in March 2023. The SSC may advise the Council on potential management measures considered by the Team in preparation for its next meeting in March 2023.
ESA Section 7 Consultations
The SSC will review information presented in the final supplemental biological opinions (BiOps) for the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery and American Samoa longline fishery covering oceanic whitetip sharks and giant manta rays. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issues biological opinions to document its determination on how certain actions affect ESA-listed species and designated critical habitat. NMFS concluded these fisheries are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of these two species. The BiOps include measures that require the release of animals caught alive in a manner that minimizes injury and ensures sufficient monitoring and reporting to confirm that the extent of take is not exceeded. The SSC may provide advice to the Council on the BiOp analyses.
Area-Based Management Report
The SSC will discuss a report from the Council Coordination Committee Area-Based Management Subcommittee that was tasked with indexing and evaluating existing Fishery Management Council actions throughout the United States. The assessment was meant to quantify the nation’s progress towards the Biden Administration’s goal to conserve 30% of all U.S. lands and waters by 2030 with its existing marine managed areas. The subcommittee found the majority of the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is conserved relative to environmentally adverse fishing activities. Bottom trawling and/or dredging is prohibited in 75% of the EEZ, and all bottom-tending gear and pelagic fishing gear are restricted in 57% and 55% of the federally managed area, respectively.
Other agenda topics include reviewing a paper inferring spillover benefits of the
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and discussing ecosystem-based fisheries management priorities in the Pacific Islands Region.
Recommendations made by the SSC on these and other matters will be considered by the Council when it meets Dec. 5-8, 2022, in-person at the Pagoda Hotel. Instructions on connecting to the web conference, agendas a