Saving Seafood

Council Actions

NEFMC: In Case You Missed It – Sep. 2025

September 10, 2025 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

In case you missed the news, here’s a recap of what’s happening around the region in September, 2025

WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) is accepting applications for its Greater Atlantic Fisheries Science and Management Workshop, January 12-16, 2026, in Falmouth, MA. Space is limited; preference will be given to applications received by November 10, 2025. Attendance is free, and travel, lodging, and meals are covered for accepted participants.
NOAA’s Milford Lab Open House will be held on September 20, 2025, in Milford, CT. This is an opportunity for the public to tour a fisheries lab, view research projects and learn how NOAA serves the shellfish aquaculture industry and the community.

 

State and Federal Commercial Landings Sampling Workshop will be held September 22-23, 2025, at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole, MA. The workshop will focus on sampling commercial landings and identifying best practices and efficiencies.

 

Fishing Effort Survey Virtual Workshop: NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology will host a two-day virtual workshop on September 23 & 24, 2025. This livestreamed meeting will give an overview of the independent peer review of the proposed Fishing Effort Survey (FES) calibration model that proposes to update the historical recreational fishing estimates, there will be the opportunity for public comment.

 

 

STOCK ASSESSMENTS

NRCC Peer Review of September Management Track Assessments for multiple groundfish stocks will take place September 15-18, 2025. This will be a hybrid meeting, held in person at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA and remotely via Google Meet.

 

Revised 2026 Assessment Scheule has been released and includes assessments for Atlantic herring, haddock (Georges Bank), haddock (Gulf of Maine) among others stocks. The revised 2026 schedule replaces the five year schedule, as the NRCC presently lacks the needed certainty to provide an assessment schedule beyond 2027.

 

 

COUNCIL MEETINGS

NEFMC September Council Meeting will be held from September 23-25, 2025 in Gloucester, MA. Final Council recommendations are expected on multiple items:
  • Executive Order 14276 on “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness”
  • Omnibus Management Flexibility Action
  • Groundfish Amendment 25 for Atlantic cod stock units and management measures
  • Monkfish Framework 17 for Fishing Year (FY) 2026-2030 specifications
  • Skate Specifications for Fishing Year (FY) 2026-2030 specifications
  • Alternative Gear Marking Framework
  • Essential Fish Habitat designations framework for herring, cod, monkfish, and skate
 
NEFMC Committees, Plan Development Teams (PDT) and Advisory Panels (AP) will be meeting in advance of the September Council Meeting. Visit our Calendar for more information.

 

 

OPPURTUNITIES

NEFMC Advisory Panels: The NEFMC is seeking commercial and recreational fishermen, and other interested public to serve on all its Advisory Panels (AP). AP members support the Council by providing guidance during the development of federal Fishery Management Plans, actions, and measures. Terms run for three years, from January 2026 through December 2028, and individuals may serve on more than one panel and/or for more than one term. To apply, download and submit this application form by October 3, 2025.

 

Supervising Fisheries Biologist: The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is hiring a Supervising Fisheries Biologist to oversee trawl and near shore surveys, tributary resources and the R/V John Dempsey. The position closes on September 19, 2025.

 

Offshore Wind – Fisheries Compensation Program will offset potential losses and/or costs incurred by the fishing industry across eleven states from Maine to North Carolina. The project is being overseen by BrownGreer in partnership with the Carbon Trust. Visit therfainfo.com for more information.

 

 

SCIENCE NEWS

LOC-NESS Project successfully completed the first ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) field trial in U.S. federal waters on August 13, 2025. The lead team of scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) dispersed and monitored the release of 16,500 gallons of highly alkaline sodium hydroxide into surface waters of the Gulf of Maine. The goal of OAE is to “enhance the ocean’s natural ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere, which is a critical part of Earth’s carbon cycle and a moderating influence on climate change.” (LOC-NESS). The trial was observed by members of the fishing industry along with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and marks the culmination of three years of planning. Details on outcomes and next steps are availablehere.

 

2025 State of the Ecosystem Report highlighted “colder, fresher waters in the Northwest Atlantic likely linked to species redistribution, delayed migrations” and included a section of “first-hand on-the-water observations from the fishing community that noted shifting distributions of species like pollock and bluefin tuna, and a delay in the timing of catch for species such as longfin squid and black sea bass.” NOAA’s Northeast Integrated Ecosystem Assessment.

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Atlantic Herring Area 1A Days Out Meeting Scheduled for September 18, 2025

September 5, 2025 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Atlantic Herring Management Board members from the states of Maine, New Hampshire and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will meet via webinar on September 18, 2025 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., to discuss Season 2 (October 1 – December 31) days out measures for the 2025 Area 1A fishery (inshore Gulf of Maine). Days out measures include consecutive landings days for Season 2. The webinar and call information is included below:

 
Atlantic Herring Days Out Meeting
Thursday, September 18, 2025
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
 
This webinar will use the RingCentral meeting platform. You can join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone at the following link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/849020017.  If you are new to RingCentral, you can download the app ahead of time (click here) or you can join from a web browser. For audio, the meeting will be using the computer voice over internet (VoIP), but if you are joining the webinar from your phone only, you can dial in at 650.419.1505 and enter access code 849-020-017 when prompted. The webinar will start at 8:45 a.m., 15 minutes early, to troubleshoot audio as necessary.
 
The 2025 Area 1A sub-annual catch limit (sub-ACL) is 783 metric tons (mt). This does not take into account the possible reallocation of 1,000 mt to the Area 1A sub-ACL based on catch information from the Canadian New Brunswick weir fishery, nor does it take into account potential revised quotas that may be implemented by NOAA Fisheries.
 
Landings from Area 1A have exceeded the sub-ACL and are at an estimated 936 mt as of early September and therefore the fishery is closed. Without a change in the quota from one of the mechanisms listed above, the Area 1A fishery will remain closed with a 2,000-pound possession limit. 
 
For more information, please contact Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at 703.842.0740 or efranke@asmfc.org.
 

Announcing the 2026 Marine Resource Education Program Greater Atlantic Workshop

September 3, 2025 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) is accepting applications for the next Greater Atlantic Fisheries Science and Management Workshop, scheduled for January 12-16, 2026, in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

Created by fishermen, for fishermen, MREP offers a neutral look into regional fishery science and management. MREP’s Greater Atlantic workshop is tailored to the area. It brings commercial, charter, and recreational fishermen from North Carolina to Maine together with regional scientists and managers to learn the processes, share insights, and network. This workshop will equip you with tools to engage in the management process and participate in collaborative science.

Attending the workshop is free for anyone who fishes or works in associated fishing industries. MREP reimburses travel costs and pays for hotel lodging and meals for accepted participants.

Space is limited, and preference will be given to applications received by November 10, 2025. Accepted participants will be notified by phone and email by late November 2025.

The regional program principals are available to respond to inquiries about the 2026 workshop series:
  • Hank Soule | Groundfish Sector Manager | (603) 781-9718
  • Rick Bellavance | Charter Captain | (401) 741-5648
  • Robert Ruhle | MAFMC, NC Rep. | (252) 305-0960

General questions about the program should be directed to Sophie Swetz, MREP Greater Atlantic Program Manager, at sswetz@gmri.org or (207) 772-2321 ext. 8104.

Visit mrep.gmri.org for more information.

States Schedule Public Hearings on Atlantic Striped Bass Draft Addendum III

August 28, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic coastal states of Maine through Virginia have scheduled hearings to gather public input on Draft Addendum III to Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass, which considers management measures to support rebuilding the stock by 2029. The Draft Addendum also addresses commercial tagging programs, a coastwide definition of total length for size limit regulations, and changes to the Maryland recreational season baseline.

Some hearings will be conducted in-person, and some hearings will be conducted via webinar, or in a hybrid format. Ifyou are unable to participate in your state’s scheduled hearing, you are welcome to participate in any of the virtual or hybrid hearings. The public hearing details follow:

Date and Hearing Format State/Agency  Contact
Monday, September 8

In-Person Hearing

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

 New Hampshire Fish and Game Dept.

 

Hearing Location:

Urban Forestry Center

45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, NH

 Renee Zobel

603.868.1095
Tuesday, September 9

In-Person Hearing

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

 Maine Dept. of Marine Resources

 

Hearing Location:

Yarmouth Town Hall Community Room

200 Main Street, Yarmouth, ME

 Megan Ware

207.446.0932
Tuesday, September 9

In-Person Hearing

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

 Virginia Marine Resources Commission

 

Hearing Location:

Virginia Marine Resources Commission

380 Fenwick Rd, Building 96

Fort Monroe, VA

 Joe Grist

757.247.8193

 
Wednesday, September 10

Webinar Hearing

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

 Maine Dept. of Marine Resources

 

The webinar registration link is available here, and additional webinar instructions are below.  

 Megan Ware

207.446.0932
Monday, September 15

In-Person Hearing

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

 Connecticut Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection

 

Hearing Location:

CT DEEP Marine Headquarters

Boating Education Center (“Back Building”)

333 Ferry Road, Old Lyme, CT

 Matt Gates

860.876.4393
Tuesday, September 16

Hybrid Hearing

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

 Rhode Island Dept. of Environmental Management

 

Note: This is a hybrid meeting (both in-person and virtual). The webinar registration link is available here, and additional webinar instructions are below. 

 

Hearing Location:

University of Rhode Island Bay Campus

Corless Auditorium

215 South Ferry Road, Narraganset, RI

 Jason McNamee

401.222.4700
Tuesday, September 16

In-Person Hearing

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

 New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection 

 

Hearing Location:

Stafford Township Fire Co.

133 Stafford Ave, Manahawkin, NJ

 Joe Cimino

609.439.1681

 
Wednesday, September 17

Hybrid Hearing

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

 New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation

 

Note: This is a hybrid meeting (both in-person and virtual). The webinar registration link is available here, and additional webinar instructions are below. 

 

Hearing Location:

NYSDEC Division of Marine Resources

123 Kings Park Blvd (inside Nissequogue River State Park), Kings Park, NY

 Marty Gary

631.444.0430
Thursday, September 18

Hybrid Hearing

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

 Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife

 

Note: This is a hybrid meeting (both in-person and virtual). The webinar registration link is available here, and additional webinar instructions are below. 

 

Hearing Location:

Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center

3018 Bayside Drive, Dover, DE

 John Clark

302.739.9108
Monday, September 22

In-Person Hearing

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

 New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation

 

Hearing Location:

NYSDEC Region 3 Headquarters

21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY

 Gregg Kenney

845.256.3199
Tuesday, September 23

In-Person Hearing with Virtual Listen-Only

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

 Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources

 

Note: This is an in-person hearing with a listen-only option. The listen-only link will be posted in a subsequent press release.

 

Hearing Location:

TBD in Annapolis area. Venue will be posted in a subsequent press release.

 Michael Luisi

443.758.6547

 

 

 
Wednesday, September 24

In-Person Hearing

7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

 Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

 

Hearing Location:

Silver Lake Nature Center

1306 Bath Road, Bristol, PA

 Tyler Grabowski

610.847.2442
Thursday, September 25

Webinar Hearing

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

 Potomac River Fisheries Commission &

District of Columbia Dept. of Energy and Environment

 

The webinar registration link is available here, and additional webinar instructions are below.  

 Ron Owens (PRFC)

804.224.7148

Daniel Ryan (DC)

202.727.7539
Thursday, September 25

In-Person Hearing 

with Virtual Listen-Only

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

 Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

 

Note: This is an in-person hearing with a listen-only option available via webinar at thislisten-only link.

 

Hearing Location: 

TBD in Woburn area. Venue will be posted in a subsequent press release.

 Nichola Meserve

978.290.1672
Monday, September 29

Webinar Hearing

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

 General Public Hearing Webinar

 

The webinar registration link is available here, and additional webinar instructions are below.  

 Emilie Franke

703.842.0716
Tuesday, September 30

In-Person Hearing 

with Virtual Listen-Only

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

 Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

 

Note: This is an in-person hearing with a listen-only option available via webinar at thislisten-only link.

 

Hearing Location:

Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Admiral’s Hall

101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA

 

 Nichola Meserve

978.290.1672

The Board initiated the Draft Addendum in response to stock projections indicating a low probability of meeting the 2029 stock rebuilding deadline. The most recent stock projections estimate an increase in fishing mortality in 2025 due to the above average 2018 year-class entering the current recreational ocean slot limit. There is also concern about the lack of strong year-classes behind the 2018 year-class.

This proposed action is intended to increase the probability of rebuilding the stock by reducing fishery removals by 12% with management measures implemented in 2026. For the commercial fishery, the Draft Addendum proposes a commercial quota reduction. For the recreational fishery, the Draft Addendum considers season closures and/or size limit changes. For Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay recreational fishery, the Draft Addendum also proposes changing the recreational baseline season to simplify Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay regulations, which could improve compliance and enforcement, and to re-align fishing access based on stakeholder input and release mortality rates.

For commercial tagging, the FMP currently allows states to choose whether to tag commercially harvested fish at the point of harvest or point of sale. To address concerns that waiting to tag harvested fish until the point of sale could increase the risk of illegal harvest, the Draft Addendum considers commercial tagging at the point of harvest or by the first point of landing intended to improve enforcement and compliance.

There is also concern that inconsistent methods of measuring the total length of striped bass for compliance with size limits undermines the intended conservation, consistency, and enforceability of the coastwide size limits. To address this, the Draft Addendum considers a coastwide definition of total length for both sectors.

Webinar Instructions

For all virtual or hybrid hearings (except for Rhode Island), please note that in order to comment during virtual webinar hearings you will need to use your computer or download the GoToWebinar app for your phone. Those joining by phone only will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to provide input. In those cases, you can send your comments to staff via email or U.S. mail at any time during the public comment period. To attend the webinar in listen only mode, dial 914.614.3221 and enter access code 242-254-069. If you are unable to participate in your state’s scheduled hearing, you are welcome to participate in any of the virtual or hybrid hearings.

For all virtual or hybrid hearings (except for Rhode Island), please click HERE and select the hearing(s) you plan to attend from the dropdown menu to register for a public hearing webinar. Hearings will be held via GoToWebinar, and you can join the webinar from your computer, tablet or smartphone. If you are new to GoToWebinar, you can download the software by (clicking here) or via the App store under GoToWebinar. We recommend you register for the hearing well in advance of the hearing since GoToWebinar will provide you with a link to test your device’s compatibility with the webinar. If you find your device is not compatible, please contact the Commission atinfo@asmfc.org (subject line: GoToWebinar help) and we will try to get you connected. We also strongly encourage participants to use the computer voice over internet protocol (VoIP) so you can ask questions and provide input at the hearing.

For virtual participation at the hybrid Rhode Island public hearing, the September 16 RI Zoom meeting link is available here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 For listen-only mode at the Massachusetts public hearings, the September 25 MA Zoom listen-only link is available here, and the September 30 MA Zoom listen-only link is available here.

For listen-only mode at the Maryland public hearing, the listen-only link will be posted in a subsequent press release.

 Hearing Presentation Recording

For those who cannot attend any in-person or virtual hearings, the Commission will also post a recording of the hearing presentation on the Commission’s YouTube page so that stakeholders may watch the presentation and submit comment at any time during the comment process. This recording will be available by early September.

Submitting Comments

The public is encouraged to submit comments at any time during the public comment period but no later than 11:59 PM (EST) on October 3, 2025. The Draft Addendum is available at
https://asmfc.org/resources/management-actions/draft-addendum-iii-to-amendment-7-to-the-interstate-fishery-management-plan-for-atlantic-striped-bass-for-public-comment/ or via the Commission’s website at Atlantic Striped Bass Action Tracker.

There are four ways to submit comments:

  1. Written comments via Atlantic Striped Bass Action Tracker or comments@asmfc.org
  2. The public comment form, which was developed to facilitate the gathering of input on the Draft Addendum’s specific options
  3. Mailed written comments addressed to Emilie Franke, FMP Coordinator, at 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, Virginia 22201
  4. Verbal comments provided at any of the scheduled public hearings

If your organization is planning to release an action alert in response to the Draft Amendment, please contact Emilie Franke at efranke@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740, so she can work with you to develop a unique subject line to enable us to better organize and summarize incoming comments for Board review. For more information, please contact Emilie Franke at efranke@asmfc.org.

Atlantic Striped Bass Benchmark Stock Assessment Data Workshop Scheduled for October 6-9, 2025, in Arlington, VA Data Submission Deadline: September 30

August 25, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic Striped Bass Stock Assessment Data Workshop will be conducted October 6-9, 2025 at the Hyatt Centric Arlington, 1325 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA. The Data Workshop is the first in a series of workshops to develop the next Atlantic striped bass benchmark stock assessment. The assessment will evaluate the condition of the Atlantic striped bass stock from Maine to North Carolina and inform the management of that stock. The workshop will review all available data sources for Atlantic striped bass and identify data sets that will be incorporated in the stock assessment. The Workshop is open to the public, with the exception of discussions of confidential data*.

 
The Commission welcomes the submission of data sources that will contribute to the goals of the assessment. This includes, but is not limited to, data on landings and discards, catch per unit effort, biological samples (length or age frequency), and life history information (growth, maturity, fecundity, natural mortality). For data sets to be considered at the workshop, data must be sent in with accompanying methods description by September 30, 2025.  All available data will be reviewed and vetted by members of the Atlantic Striped Bass Technical Committee and Stock Assessment Subcommittee for possible use in the assessment.    
 
It is anticipated there will be two stock assessment workshops – one in Winter 2026 and another in Summer 2026. The benchmark stock assessment will be peer-reviewed in Spring 2027. The details of the assessment workshops and peer review will be released as they become available. For more information on submitting data, including the appropriate format, please contact Katie Drew, Stock Assessment Team Leader (kdrew@asmfc.org). For information on attending the Data Workshop (space is limited), please contact Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, atefranke@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.
 
* Each state and federal agency is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of its data and deciding who has access to its confidential data. In the case of our stock assessments and peer reviews, all analysts and, if necessary, reviewers, have been granted permission by the appropriate agency to use and view confidential data. When the assessment team needs to show and discuss these data, observers to our stock assessment process are asked to leave the room to preserve confidentiality.                 
 

Meeting Summaries and Motions from the Joint Meeting of the MAFMC and ASMFC ISFMP Policy Board, Bluefish Board, and Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Board

August 20, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The meeting summaries and motions from the joint meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Commission’s ISFMP Policy Board, Bluefish Board, and Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Board are now available and can be found here. Presentations, briefing materials, and webinar recordings are available athttps://www.mafmc.org/briefing/august-2025.

Funding Opportunity: Pilot Regional Industry-Based Bottom Trawl Survey

August 20, 2025 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) seek a science-industry team to conduct a pilot regional industry-based bottom trawl survey (RIBTS). This pilot survey will be used to define the operational requirements for a full scale, shelf-wide, multispecies, industry-based bottom trawl survey that will complement our federal Bottom Trawl Survey conducted aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow.

The Commission will issue a funding contract to a science and fishing industry team to conduct field work off the coast of southern New England to:

  • Collect catch, biological, and oceanographic data
  • Assess operational requirements
  • Produce documentation of best practices

The pilot survey will need to be conducted in the fall of 2025 or spring 2026. Data processing will need to be completed and standard operating procedures drafted within six months of field work completion.

Application Instructions

The deadline to submit proposals is midnight ET on September 5, 2025. Please see the RFP online for complete proposal details, qualifying requirements, and submission instructions.

Questions?

Please contact Anna Mercer at anna.mercer@noaa.gov.

Council Seeks Fishermen and Stakeholders for 2026–2028 Advisory Panels

August 15, 2025 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council is seeking commercial and recreational fishermen, as well as other stakeholders, to serve on all its advisory panels. The deadline to apply is October 3, 2025.

ABOUT ADVISORY PANELS Advisory panels (APs) support the Council’s Fishery Management Plans. APs provide guidance during the development of federal fishery management plans, actions, and measures. Terms run for three years, from January 2026 through December 2028, and individuals may serve on more than one panel.

Existing AP members who wish to continue must reapply for consideration for the 2026–2028 term.

WHO WE’RE SEEKING

The Council seeks a diverse mix of members who: • Represent both commercial and recreational sectors • Offer expertise across different fisheries • Fish with a variety of gear types • Come from across the geographic range of the fishery • Bring a range of social and economic perspectives

HOW TO APPLY

Download and complete this application form and submit it to Sherie Goutier via email (sgoutier@nefmc.org) or by mail: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. Paper copies are available by calling the Council office at (978) 465-0492. The deadline is October 3, 2025.

SELECTION PROCESS

Council committees will review all applications, with final selections made by the Executive Committee. Nominees are also subject to review by NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement and may be declined for marine resource violations.

QUESTIONS?

Please contact Alex Dunn at adunn@nefmc.org or 978-465-0492 ext. 112

Hawai‘i Island Community Consultation – Round 2 Navigating Change

August 14, 2025 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Continuing to build on conversations from the March 2025 meetings, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and partners will host the 2nd in a series of community consultation meetings on Hawai‘i Island.

EVERYONE WELCOME!

We invite fishing families and the public to participate in these vital discussions. Your voice matters as we work together to navigate changes and enhance the fishing community’s future.

The meetings will start with an Open House of agency representatives and light refreshments, followed by an overview of the Council’s community consultation effort, presentation on fishery challenges, and discussion and feedback.

 

Meeting Schedule:

East Hawai‘i

  • Date: August 22, 2025 (Friday)
  • Time: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (HST)
  • Location: Ka Waihona, Island Nation – Ma Uka, Ma Kai, 196 Kamehameha Ave, Hilo, HI
  • Main Discussion Topics: Improving Fishing Infrastructure & Access to Fisheries

West Hawai‘i

  • Date: August 23, 2025 (Saturday)
  • Time: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (HST)
  • Location: West Hawai‘i Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Kailua-Kona, HI
  • Main Discussion Topics: Impacts of Shark Depredation, Ahi Size, Markets, and Competing Activities

Community meetings across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands will be scheduled throughout the second half of the year.

For more information, please contact Zach Yamada (zach.yamada@wpcouncil.org, www.wpcouncil.org) or Alex Min (alex.cannon.min@gmail.com, www.fishtoday.org/pacific-islands-voices). See flyers below and please help to spread the word!

About the Council

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional councils established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to manage fisheries in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Council is responsible for developing and implementing fishery management plans for waters surrounding Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the CNMI and U.S. Pacific Remote Island Areas. The Council works to promote sustainable fisheries, protect marine ecosystems and support the livelihoods of fishing communities through science-based decision-making and stakeholder engagement.

ASMFC 2025 Summer Meeting Summary Document, Presentations and Recordings Now Available

August 8, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The press releases, meeting summaries, and motions from the Commission’s 2025 Summer Meeting are now available at https://asmfc.org/resources/management-quarterly-meetings/2025-summer-meeting-summary-summer-2025/. Additionally, Board presentations and recordings are available on the Summer Meeting page at  https://asmfc.org/events/2025-summer-meeting/; just scroll down to the relevant board/committee to access the links.  Recordings can also be found on the Commission’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/ASMFCvideos.