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.