Saving Seafood

Council Actions

ASMFC 83rd Annual Meeting Details, Final Agenda and Public Comment Guidelines

October 16, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 83rd Annual Meeting will be held October 27-30, 2025, at Hyatt Place Dewey Beach, 1301 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach, Delaware. This will be a hybrid meeting to allow for remote participation by Commissioners and interested stakeholders in all meetings. The room block is now closed; if you need assistance reserving a room, please contact Lisa Carty at lcarty@asmfc.org. Please also notify Lisa Carty of any changes to your travel plans that will impact your hotel reservations, otherwise you will incur no-show penalties. We greatly appreciate your cooperation.

 
The final agenda and meeting materials are now be available at https://asmfc.org/events/2025-annual-meeting/; click on the relevant Board/Committee name to access the documents for that Board/Committee. Supplemental materials will be posted to the website on Wednesday, October 22.
 
Webinar Information
The Law Enforcement Committee, Habitat Committee and Atlantic Coast Fish Habitat Partnership Steering Committee will have unique webinar links that are available as part of the individual committee materials.
 
Meeting proceedings for all other boards/committees will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning Monday, October 27 at 9 AM and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 1:30 PM on Thursday, October 30). To register for the webinar, please go to:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5300899939524393048 (Webinar ID: 817-087-699)
 
If you are joining the webinar but will not be using voice over internet protocol (VoIP), you may also call in at +1.562.247.8422, access code 307-011-519. A PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar. For those who will not be joining the webinar but would like to listen in to the audio portion only, press the # key when asked for a PIN. 
 
Each day, the webinar will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the first meeting so people can troubleshoot any connectivity or audio issues they may encounter. If you are having issues with the webinar (connecting to or audio related issues), please contact Chris Jacobs at 703.842.0790.


 
Meeting Process 
Board chairs will ask both in-person and virtual board members if they wish to speak. In-person members can simply raise their hands at the meeting without logging on to the webinar, while virtual members will raise their hands on the webinar. The chair will work with staff to compile the list of speakers, balancing the flow of questions/comments between in-person and virtual attendees. The same process will be used for public comment. Depending upon the number of commenters, the board chair will decide how to allocate the available time on the agenda (typically 10 minutes) to the number of people who want to speak. 
 
Getting to Dewey Beach
Hyatt Place Dewey Beach is accessible by automobile or airplane. The nearest airports are Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), and Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY).  Philadelphia International Airport is a good choice for those coming from the North or South!  If you fly to any airport, you will need to rent a car to get to Dewey Beach. 
 
Registration
Completion of the Registration, Attendance, and Accommodations Form is required for all participants, whether or not you will be reimbursed for travel by the Commission. However, only those who will not be reimbursed for travel by the Commission (see travel authorization form) will need to pay the registration fee (e.g., guests and federal participants). The meeting registration fee is $225 for participants and $175 for spouses or guests. The registration fee covers the Monday night welcome reception, the Tuesday night dinner, and event materials.  
 
Fishing Tournament
Plans are well underway for the 32nd Annual Laura Leach Fishing Tournament. Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate. You will receive a T-shirt with your $20 entry fee; and 100% of the tournament proceeds will be donated to the Delaware Take-a-Kid-Fishing Program. The tournament runs from Sunday (10/26) through noon on Wednesday (10/29); the raffle drawing and tournament prizes will be awarded Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning. 
  
Public Comment Guidelines
To provide a fair opportunity for public input, the ISFMP Policy Board has approved the following guidelines for use at management board meetings:
 
For issues that are not on the agenda, management boards will continue to provide opportunities to the public to bring matters of concern to the board’s attention at the start of each board meeting. Board chairs will ask members of the public to raise their hands to let the chair know they would like to speak. Depending upon the number of commenters, the board chair will decide how to allocate the available time on the agenda (typically 10 minutes) to the number of people who want to speak.
 
For topics that are on the agenda, but have not gone out for public comment, board chairs will provide limited opportunity for comment, taking into account the time allotted on the agenda for the topic. 
Chairs will have flexibility in deciding how to allocate comment opportunities; this could include hearing one comment in favor and one in opposition until the chair is satisfied further comments will not provide additional insight to the board.
 
For agenda action items that have already gone out for public comment, it is the Policy Board’s intent to end the occasional practice of allowing extensive and lengthy public comments. Currently, board chairs have the discretion to decide what public comment to allow in these circumstances.
 
In addition, the following timeline has been established for the submission of written comments for issues for which the Commission has NOT established a specific public comment period (i.e., in response to proposed management action).
 
1.      Comments received three weeks prior to the start of a meeting week (October 6) will be included in the briefing materials.
2.      Comments received by 5 PM on Tuesday, October 21 will be included in supplemental materials.
3.      Comments received by 10 AM on Friday, October 24 will be distributed electronically to Commissioners/Board members prior to the meeting.
 
The submitted comments must clearly indicate the commenter’s expectation from the ASMFC staff regarding distribution.  As with other public comment, it will be accepted via mail and email.

NEFMC Acts on Monkfish, Scallops, Cod; Updates Key Habitat Protections

October 13, 2025 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

MONKFISH AND SKATES: STABILITY FOR MONKFISH, ADDED FLEXIBILITY FOR SKATE FISHERMEN

The Council approved final actions on monkfish and skate specifications for fishing years (FY) 2026–2028, with minimal changes to current monkfish catch limits through 2028 and increased opportunity for skates with changes in skate wing and bait possession limits.

Monkfish:

The Council recommended maintaining current catch limits for both the northern and southern management areas through Framework Adjustment 17, with no change to the existing days-at-sea or possession limits. The SSC recommended maintaining current catch limits through 2028, with precautionary reductions for the southern stock beginning in 2029. While overall catch limits remain status quo, the total allowable landings (TAL) for the northern area will decline by about 3% due to updated discard estimates; the southern area TAL remains unchanged. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) made the same recommendation at their October meeting.

Skate FY 2026–2028 Specifications:

The SSC advised higher near-term catch limits and a gradual reduction through 2030, noting no overfishing but continued rebuilding for thorny skate, which remain overfished, and recommended revisiting catch advice within two years. The Council recommended a 28% increase in the Annual Catch Limit (ACL) over the current FY 2024–2025 ACL (32,155 mt) for FY 2026–2027 (41,282 mt) and a 10% increase for FY 2028 (37,154 mt). The Council usually recommends skate specifications for two years at a time, but for this cycle it recommends three years, aligning the timing of monkfish and skate specification setting moving forward. The Council also recommended modest increases in skate possession limits to improve operational efficiency and offset travel costs around wind farm areas, while avoiding market oversupply. Skate wing limits will rise by 500 lbs. per season (to 4,500 lbs in Season 1 and 6,500 lbs in Season 2), and skate bait limits will increase by 5,000 lbs., to 30,000 lbs. per trip. You can find meeting materials for both decisions here.

NOAA Fisheries Extends Emergency Measures for the Northeast Multispecies Fishery, Ensuring the Fishery Continues Uninterrupted Through April 30, 2026

October 3, 2025 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

Today, NOAA Fisheries signed a temporary rule that extends the emergency measures necessary for the Northeast Multispecies to continue operating in fishing year 2025. This action ensures the fishery can continue without interruption in the absence of approved specifications and other measures for the full fishing year 2025. The extended emergency measures would remain in place through April 30, 2026, unless replaced by other measures. With this emergency rule extension, all emergency measures remain in place. Sector and common pool allocations are updated in this extension to reflect the final rosters that were not available when the emergency rule was originally implemented. Additionally, errors in table formatting in the original emergency rule are corrected.

The emergency rule set interim specifications for 2 stocks of cod (Gulf of Maine cod and Georges Bank cod) and for Georges Bank haddock, and affirmed specifications for other Northeast Multispecies stocks previously set in Frameworks 65 and 66. The action also approved groundfish sector operations plans and allocated annual catch entitlements to sectors, set trimester total allowable catches and possession limits for commercial vessels fishing in the common pool, and prohibited commercial common pool vessels and recreational vessels from possessing Georges Bank cod. For all details see the Federal Register Notice.

Background: On May 2, 2025, NMFS published an emergency rule to implement fishing year 2025 management measures for the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The emergency rule ensured that the fishery could operate at the start of the fishing year on May 1, 2025, mitigating the adverse economic impact to the groundfish fishery if measures were not put in place. The emergency rule is in effect for 180 days, from May 1, 2025, through October 28, 2025. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, an emergency rule can be extended for an additional 186 days if necessary. Framework 69 to the FMP, which recommends the annual specifications necessary to authorize the fishery to operate in the 2025 fishing year beginning on May 1, 2025, and projected specifications for fishing years 2026 and 2027, remains under consideration by NMFS.

This Announcement is also available HERE.

Council Operations During Federal Government Shutdown

October 1, 2025 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is continuing normal operations during the federal government shutdown. The Council’s next meeting, scheduled for October 7–9, 2025 in Philadelphia, PA, will proceed as planned. Additional information can be found on the October 2025 Council Meeting Page.

Most of the Council’s federal partners at the NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) are currently on furlough. If the shutdown remains in place, the Council will conduct as much business as possible, recognizing that the absence of federal partners may require some meetings or events to be rescheduled. Any changes will be posted on the Council event calendar.

NEFMC seeks Scientific and Statistical Committee Nominees to Serve 2026-2028

October 1, 2025 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

Request for Nominations
New England Fishery Management Council Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC)

The Council is seeking qualified candidates to serve on its Scientific and Statistical Committee.

  • SSC appointments are for three years with a limit of three consecutive terms. The term under this request for nominations will begin in January 2026 and end December 2028.
  • SSC members receive a daily stipend for meetings and are reimbursed for travel expenses.
  • Nominees must submit:
    • A brief letter of interest describing reasons for wanting to join the SSC
    • A resume or CV, including the length and type of relevant experience; and
    • A completed Statement of Financial Interest Form.
  • All materials must be received by December 19, 2025 and should be sent via email or mail to Sherie Goutier, Executive Assistant at:
    • sgoutier@nefmc.org;
    • New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950

SSC nominees should have expertise in stock assessment methods, population dynamics, statistics, fisheries biology, marine ecology, economics, or other social sciences as they apply to fisheries management. SSC members are expected to provide independent, scientific advice to the Council.

The purpose of the SSC is to assist the Council in the development, collection, evaluation, and peer review of statistical, biological, economic, social, and other scientific information relevant to the development of fishery management plans. The committee may:

  • Provide guidance to ensure that fishery management plans are based on the best scientific information available.
  • Provide the Council with scientific advice for fishery management decisions, including recommendations for acceptable biological catch, overfishing limits, and achieving rebuilding targets, as well as social and economic impacts of management measures.
  • Provide peer reviews of regional scientific work, and methods and analyses prepared by the Council’s Plan Development Teams. Individuals may be appointed to serve on regional peer review panels, including for stock assessments.
  • Advise the Council on the preparation of comments on scientific issues.

More information is available in the Council’s Operations Handbook. If you have questions or need further details, please contact Rachel Feeney: rfeeney@nefmc.org; (978) 465-0492 ext. 110.

The Council Responds to Executive Order 14276; Pauses the Gear Marking Framework and Approves a Management Flexibility Amendment

September 30, 2025 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council met in Gloucester, MA from September 23 – 25, 2025.

Notable outcomes are summarized below.

COUNCIL FINALIZES RESPONSE TO EXECUTIVE ORDER 14276 ON SEAFOOD COMPETITIVENESS

At its September meeting, the New England Fishery Management Council finalized its response to Executive Order (EO) 14276, “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.” The letter, developed in coordination with NOAA’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO), lays out a work plan to reduce regulatory burdens, increase fishery production, improve economic returns, and help prevent unnecessary closures. The Council submitted its recommendations to NOAA Fisheries on September 30, 2025.

To shape its response, the Council sought broad input from all Advisory Panel members and Plan Development Teams. Based on this input, the Executive Committee drafted a list of recommendations for new and ongoing actions and submitted this to the Council for approval. The list contains four key areas:

  1. Council Actions in the NOAA Fisheries Rulemaking Process: urged timely implementation of Northeast Multispecies Framework Adjustment 69 and the Atlantic Herring 2025–2027 specifications.

  2. Council Actions Currently Under Development: continue work currently underway related to increases in management flexibility, specifications for monkfish and skates, reduced burdens in the dogfish fishery, and a scallop strategic plan.

  3. Possible New Council Actions: the Council will consider updates to vessel baseline restrictions, herring slippage rules, monkfish management, accountability measures, gillnet exemption areas, and outdated regulations.

  4. Non-Council Actions: that call on federal agencies to expand seafood marketing, strengthen science and monitoring, support recreational management tools, invest in climate-ready fisheries, and streamline NEPA reviews.

The full list of recommended actions is available here.

ASMFC Initiates Stakeholder Engagement Process to Inform Revisions to the Utility, Reward, and Harvest Policy Functions of the ARM Framework Stakeholders Invited to Apply by October 3 Deadline

September 26, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Horseshoe Crab Management Board is initiating a collaborative stakeholder process to inform revisions to the Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab Adaptive Resource Management (ARM) Framework. The ARM Framework is a model used to provide annual harvest levels for horseshoe crabs in the Delaware Bay region, and is designed to balance the needs of the horseshoe crab fishery with the ecological needs of migratory shorebirds, which depend on horseshoe crab eggs as a food source.

Building on previous recommendations developed at the 2025 Delaware Bay Management Objectives Workshop of the ARM Framework, this process will focus on reviewing and revising the core mathematical functions of the ARM model—specifically the Utility, Reward, and Harvest Policy (U/R/H) functions. Combined, these functions incorporate stakeholder values to determine the optimal harvest level given the estimated numbers of horseshoe crabs and red knots. The goal of this process is to elicit stakeholder values and perspectives to develop clear, actionable recommendations for revising the U/R/H functions, ensuring they are technically sound and transparently reflect diverse stakeholder priorities (i.e., horseshoe crab and shorebird conservation interests, biomedical needs, and commercial fishery demand).
The stakeholder process will occur between October 2025 and May 2026 and will use a phased approach including educational sessions to build a shared understanding of the ARM Framework and U/R/H functions; a two-day workshop in January 2026, using a structured dialogue among participating groups to develop quantitative values that can be integrated into the model, and model updates to integrate stakeholder values and input into the next iteration of the ARM Framework. The Commission has retained Compass Resource Management to be neutral third-party facilitators and analysts for this process. Participants will represent bait fisheries; biomedical groups; dealers; ecosystem, shorebird, and horseshoe crab conservation and science planning groups; and state and federal resource managers.
Stakeholders that would like to participate in this important conversation on the management of the Delaware Bay horseshoe crab resource are invited to apply. Applications should be submitted here by October 3, 2025. To foster a productive and focused discussion, the number of active workshop participants will be limited. Those who are not selected as active participants are welcome to participate in small group interviews and educational sessions, and to attend the workshop as observers.
For more information, please contact Caitlin Starks, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, atcstarks@asmfc.org.

Mariana Islands Community  Consultation – Round 2 Navigating Change:  Estorian Peskadot Marianas

September 26, 2025 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Continuing to build on conversations from the February 2025 meetings, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and the Pacific Islands Fisheries Group (PIFG) will host the 2nd in a series of community consultation meetings across the Mariana Islands in early October. These meetings will provide a space for local fishers and community members to share experiences, cultural knowledge and concerns about fisheries.

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. This is a chance for fishers and community members to speak directly about what they are seeing in the water and to help shape solutions for the future.

(Council community consultation effort overview-GUAM)

Meeting Schedule: 

● Inalahan, GU

Date: October 1, 2025 (Wednesday)

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (ChST)

Location: Inalahan Community Center, 719 San Jose Street

Main Discussion Topics: Shark Depredation, Shifting Seasons, and Preserving Fishing Traditions

● Malesso, GU

Date: October 2, 2025 (Thursday)

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (ChST)

Location: Malesso Senior Citizen’s Center, 462 Chalan Kanton Tasi

Main Discussion Topics: Shark Depredation, Shifting Seasons, and Preserving Fishing Traditions

● Sinajaña, GU

Date: October 3, 2025 (Friday)

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (ChST)

Location: Sinajaña Community Center, 117A E Chalan Gumayuus

Main Discussion Topics: Shark Depredation, Shifting Seasons, and Preserving Fishing Traditions

(Council community consultation effort overview-CNMI)

● Saipan, CNMI

Date: October 4, 2025 (Saturday)

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (ChST)

Location: Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Azucena Room, Coral Tree Ave, Garapan

Main Discussion Topics: Market, Price, and Seafood Safety Improvements

● Rota, CNMI

Date: October 7, 2025 (Tuesday)

Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (ChST)

Location: Mayor of Rota Conference Hall, San Francisco de Borja Hwy, Tatachong

Main Discussion Topics: Environmental Changes, Barriers to Fishing, Cultural Practices, and Opportunities for Youth, Aquaculture, and Local Management Solutions

● Tinian, CNMI

Date: October 8, 2025 (Wednesday)

Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (ChST)

Location: Tinian Western Lodge, Marpo Heights

Main Discussion Topics: Environmental Changes, Barriers to Fishing, Cultural Practices, and Opportunities for Youth, Aquaculture, and Local Management Solutions

For more information, please contact Felix Reyes-GU (felix.reyes@wpcouncil.org), Angela Dela Cruz-CNMI (angela.delacruz@wpcouncil.org) or Alex Min (alex.cannon.min@gmail.com, www.fishtoday.org/pacific-islands-voices). See flyers below and please help 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.

WP Council Urges Stronger Standards for Marine Mammal Protection in Seafood Imports

September 19, 2025 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council yesterday called on NOAA to strengthen its new Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Import Provisions, which were published in the Federal Register on Sept. 2, 2025. The Council urged NOAA to apply more rigorous standards when determining whether foreign fisheries meet U.S. requirements for protecting marine mammals and reducing bycatch, and to create a clear process for public and stakeholder input.

The MMPA Import Provisions, first enacted in 1972 but never fully implemented, are designed to prevent seafood imports from countries that do not have measures comparable to U.S. standards for reducing the incidental capture, injury or death of marine mammals.

For the first time, NOAA’s Comparability Findings identified specific nations and fisheries that will be prohibited from exporting seafood to the United States beginning Jan. 1, 2026. The findings affect approximately 15% of all U.S. seafood imports. However, the restrictions do not apply to tuna longline fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific, which are of particular concern to the Council. To better understand the scope and impact of the rule, the Council also requested that NMFS evaluate the amount of tuna imports into the United States that are affected by the Comparability Findings Report.

During public comment, Eric Kingma of the Hawaii Longline Association voiced frustration with the findings that did not bar other Western and Central Pacific fisheries, citing strict requirements the Hawai‘i longline fishery faces. “You’re telling me that foreign distant-water longline fisheries operating around Hawai‘i, in the same proximity and same fishing grounds as us, are removing hooks from false killer whales without causing serious injury? To me, that is absolutely inaccurate.”

Deep-Sea Mining in the Western Pacific

University of Hawai‘i professor Jeff Drazen presented a comprehensive review of deep-sea mining that highlighted current technologies, potential ecological impacts on fish at different levels in the water column, and the significant data limitations and uncertainties that remain. There is renewed interest in extracting minerals needed for battery production in both the Clarion Clipperton Zone southeast of Hawai‘i and in U.S. waters off American Samoa.

Hawai‘i Council member Matt Ramsey emphasized the importance of distinguishing between the different mining technologies being considered. Traditional “tractoring” methods involve large machines moving across the ocean floor, creating sediment plumes and discharges, while companies such as Impossible Metals are developing robotic arms designed to pluck individual mineral nodules from the seafloor.

“This Council banned bottom trawling in 1983, recognizing the harm,” Ramsey said. “You can see how bottom trawling and the tractoring method are similar, but Impossible Metals is a different conversation. The technology and the resulting regulations may be different.”

The Council directed staff to continue monitoring developments in American Samoa and to work with its advisory groups to provide information and analysis on potential impacts to fisheries and marine resources. The Council also invited NOAA to present an overview of proposed commercial recovery permit applications in the Clarion Clipperton Zone at its next meeting.

2026–2029 CNMI Bottomfish Catch Limits

The Council took initial action to set the annual catch limit (ACL) for the CNMI bottomfish fishery at 72,000 pounds and the annual catch target (ACT) at 66,000 pounds for fishing years 2026–2029. These specifications are based on the results of the NMFS 2025 stock assessment update, along with application of the Council’s P* and SEEM analyses to account for scientific and management uncertainty. The ACT was set below the ACL to provide a management buffer that helps prevent the fishery from exceeding the ACL, ensuring catches remain within sustainable limits.

Council Responds to President Trump’s Mandates, Recommends Opening Monuments to Commercial Fishing

September 17, 2025 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

After a long day of discussion and public comments, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, at its 204th meeting today, agreed to move forward allowing commercial fishing within the four marine national monuments in the U.S. Pacific.

 With a Proclamation and Executive Order from President Trump for guidance, the Council deliberated on the impacts of commercial fishing within the boundaries of the Pacific Islands Heritage, Rose Atoll, Marianas Trench and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monuments.

 “The Council is responding to the Proclamation through the Council process of the MSA. It is transparent and people have the opportunity to voice their opinions,” said Hawai‘i Council member Matt Ramsey. “If the Council takes no action, others might make the decision for us. I appreciate the opportunity to shape and reform those commercial fishing regulations.”

 The Council directed staff to prepare an analysis of management options to implement Presidential Proclamation 10918, “Unleashing American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific.” The analysis, to be presented at the Council’s December meeting, will ensure sustainable harvest of fishery resources while conserving protected species and monument resources.

 During the public comment period, Joe Hamby, representing the U.S. purse seine industry, explained that the United States needs to do more to identify the origins of imported fish, especially from China, to buyers in local markets. “U.S. consumers are unknowingly supporting the highly subsidized and forced-labor Chinese fish industry,” Hamby said.

 Council Chairman Will Sword said, “U.S. fishermen need to fish in our healthy U.S. waters. The bottomline is eating our own fish.”

 Manuel Duenas, Guam Fishermen’s Cooperative Association, commented that in our region “there are no ‘commercial’ fishers. We are community-based fishers. The boats are owned by local families and fish for the benefit of the community.”

 Strong opposition to removing commercial fishing prohibitions came from multiple members of academia, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Native Hawaiian Cultural Working Group. Concerns expressed were that commercial fishing would endanger protected species, ignore cultural values and harm the ecosystem.

 Kanoe Morishige, Assistant Professor at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, said, “Papahānaumokuākea is not a realm for extraction,” and that “commercial extraction conflicts with what binds Hawaiians to the seascape.”

 There are multiple opportunities for public comment through the Council process. Anyone interested can provide comments via email: info@wpcouncil.org and learn more at the Council’s website: www.wpcouncil.org.