September 12, 2025 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:
At its 204th meeting next week, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will decide whether to recommend lifting commercial fishing prohibitions in parts of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument.
On April 17, 2025, President Donald Trump issued Proclamation 10918, “Unleashing American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific.” The Proclamation recognized that well-managed commercial fishing would not threaten the monument’s scientific and historic resources. The Secretary of Commerce was directed to remove the prohibitions on commercial fishing barring U.S. fishermen from sustainably harvesting valuable species in these waters for more than a decade.
Fishing regulations for the Hawai‘i longline fleet have been in place since 1991 under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The Council may consider additional regulations to reopen access from 50 to 200 nautical miles around Wake, Johnston and Jarvis Islands — waters where U.S. fishermen harvested bottomfish, pelagic species and crustaceans before the 2014 prohibitions. Members will also review their request to the Secretary of Commerce to allow commercial fishing in Rose Atoll, Marianas Trench Islands Unit and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monuments.
The Governors of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and American Samoa have asked the President to restore fishing access to the monuments in their areas.
The Council meeting provides the public an opportunity to weigh in on how the United States balances conservation with responsible, sustainable fishing access.
In addition to monument fishing access, the Council will discuss a wide range of issues affecting Pacific fisheries — from local catch limits and community concerns to climate adaptation, electronic monitoring and international negotiations that shape the future of seafood supply.
Community and Regional Fisheries at a Crossroads
Island communities will present their latest reports on the state of fisheries, highlighting economic pressures, infrastructure challenges and local initiatives. The Council will consider catch limits in 2026-2029 for CNMI bottomfish based on the latest scientific assessments, and hear concerns from Hawai‘i small-boat fishers about gear conflicts and shark depredation.
Adapting to Changing Environments and Building Resilience
Through projects funded under the Inflation Reduction Act, the Council is helping Pacific fisheries prepare for a changing environment. Members will receive updates on scenario planning for longline and small-boat fisheries, regulatory reviews aimed at making management more flexible, and workshops exploring climate-driven impacts on protected species. Community engagement remains at the heart of these projects, ensuring that local voices guide adaptation strategies.
Modernizing Monitoring and Strengthening Accountability
As fisheries move toward electronic monitoring and new vessel management plans, the Council will evaluate progress in Hawai‘i and American Samoa longline fleets. These advances aim to improve transparency and data collection while reducing costs currently covered by NMFS through 2027, and improving monitoring of rare events like protected species interactions.
Global Fisheries, Local Impacts
International negotiations on tuna, shark and bycatch management have direct consequences for Pacific Island fisheries. The Council will hear outcomes from advisory bodies to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).
Members will discuss import provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, yet to be implemented since Congress approved the Act in 1972. The provisions are intended to prevent imports of foreign fishery products that lack protections equivalent to the MMPA to reduce bycatch and protect marine mammals. New findings published Sept. 2, 2025, will be enforced starting Jan. 1, 2026, barring imports of seafood (such as tuna) from non-compliant nations. The Council will discuss whether the findings are adequate and where there are any impacts to local markets in the U.S. Pacific Islands.
Why Attend?
The Council’s decisions affect the livelihoods of fishers, the availability of fresh local seafood, the resilience of island communities and the health of Pacific ecosystems. By attending, the public can learn about proposed actions, provide input and ensure their voices are heard in shaping the future of fisheries in the region.
How to Join
In-Person: Ala Moana Hotel, Garden Lanai (410 Atkinson St., Honolulu, HI)
Online: Join remotely via Webex: https://tinyurl.com/204CouncilMtg, Event password: CM204mtg
Get the Full Agenda & Documents: www.wpcouncil.org/event/204th-council-meeting
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council: Secretary of Commerce appointees from nominees selected by American Samoa, the CNMI, Guam and Hawai‘i governors: Will Sword, American Samoa Power Authority (American Samoa) (chair); Roger Dang, Fresh Island Fish Co. (Hawai‘i) (vice chair); Edgar Feliciano, Feli Fisheries Inc. (American Samoa); Pete Itibus, noncommercial fisher (CNMI); Frank Perez, AC Sales and Service, (Guam); Matt Ramsey, Conservation International (Hawai‘i); Jesse Rosario, Guam Fishermen’s Cooperative Association (Guam); and Gene Weaver, Tasi to Table (CNMI). Designated state officials: Dawn Chang, 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; and Chelsa Muña, Guam Dept. of Agriculture. 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 14th District; and Rachel Ryan, U.S. State Dept.