Saving Seafood

Summary of Action Items for the 178th Meeting of the WPRFMC

June 5, 2019 — The following was published by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The 178th meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will convene June 25-27, 2019, at the Laniakea YWCA, Fuller Hall, Honolulu, Hawai’i. The Council will consider and may take action on the issues summarized below, including any public comments on them. Written public comments should be received by the Council’s executive director by 5 p.m. (Hawai’i time), Thursday, June 20, 2019, by postal mail, fax or email as indicated below. After June 20, it is the submitter’s responsibility to provide at least 40 copies of the written comment to Council staff at the Council meeting.

Mail: Ms. Kitty M. Simonds
Executive Director
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council
1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400
Honolulu, HI 96813

FAX: (808) 522-8226
E-mail: info.wpcouncil@noaa.gov

Action Item Summaries
A
1. Specifying Harvest Limits for the Main Hawaiian Islands Kona Crab

The Council will consider specifying multi-year harvest limits for the main Hawaiian Island Kona crab for fishing years 2020-2023. The best scientific information available is the 2019 benchmark stock assessment with catch projection to 2026[1]. Based on this updated information, the maximum sustainable yield was estimated to be at 73,609 pounds and the overfishing limit at 33,989 pounds. The Council’s P* and SEEM* Working Groups and the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) evaluated the scientific, social, ecological, economic, and management uncertainties and recommended a risk level for the Council to consider. The SEEM* working group used a new standardized process developed by the Social Science Planning Committee (SSPC), in which the social, ecological, and economic dimension is used to determine the risk of overfishing, and the monitoring and compliance/management criteria are used to determine management uncertainty. The risk of overfishing informs the Council’s consideration of annual catch limit (ACL) specification, and the management uncertainty informs the Council’s consideration in setting the annual catch target (ACT).

The Council will evaluate the following options:
1) No Action. No harvest limits will be specified for fishing year 2020-2023.
2) Specify the previous harvest limit at 3,500 pounds using the 2015 assessment (Thomas et al. 2015) for fishing year 2020-2023.
3) Specify the ACL equal to the acceptable biological catch (ABC) at P*=38 percent at 30,802 pounds and set an ACT at P*=30 percent at 28,324 pounds based on the P* and SEEM* Analysis using the 2019 benchmark stock assessment.
4) Specify the ACL equal to the ABC at P*=38 percent at 30,802 pounds and set an ACT 10 percent lower than the SEEM* analysis at P*=20 percent at 25,491 pounds using the 2019 benchmark stock assessment
5) Specify the ACL equal to the ABC at P*=38 percent at 30,802 pounds and set an ACT 20 percent lower than the SEEM* analysis at P*=10 percent at 21,243 pounds using the 2019 benchmark stock assessment

At its 178th meeting, the Council will consider taking final action to specify the harvest limits and the accountability measure that will prevent the fishery from overfishing the stock.

citation
[1]Kapur MR, Fitchett MD, Yau AJ, Carvalho F. 2019. 2018 Benchmark Stock Assessment of Main Hawaiian Islands Kona Crab. NOAA Tech Memo. NMFS-PIFSC-77, 114 p. doi:10.25923/7wf2-f040

B
2. Hawai’i Fishery Ecosystem Plan Amendment to Precious Coral Essential Fish Habitat

The Council at its 173rd meeting in June 2018 directed staff to develop options to redefine essential fish habitat (EFH) and any habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC) for precious corals in Hawai’i for Council consideration for a Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) amendment. EFH information was reviewed through the 2015 and 2016 annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report cycles and an options paper was developed for the 174th meeting in October 2018.

New observations of precious corals have occurred throughout the region, with research concentrated in the Hawai’i Archipelago. Observations in the territories and of the larval phase of precious corals are rare or nonexistent. However, new information exists to refine the habitat characteristics and geographic extent of deep- and shallow-water precious coral EFH in the Hawai’i Archipelago. Narrative information on which the EFH designations are based and information to fulfill the EFH requirements of fishery management plans may also be used to update the archipelagic FEPs. The redefinition of precious corals EFH is framed in three separate actions: refinement of deep-water species complex EFH; refinement of shallow-water precious coral species complex EFH; and update of the narrative information.

The Council at its 174th meeting reviewed the following options for each of the three actions:
Action 1 – Update EFH for deep-water precious coral species
Options
1) No change (status quo)
2) Revise EFH by depth range
3) Refine the geographic boundary of existing precious coral beds
4) Refine the geographic boundary of existing beds and add new beds

Action 2 – Update EFH for shallow-water precious coral species:
Options
1) No change (status quo)
2) Update geographic extent and habitat characteristics.

Action 3 – Update EFH narrative information
Options
1) Update the FEP narrative information on EFH
2) Do not update the FEP narrative information on EFH

The Council took initial action at its 174th meeting directing staff to prepare an amendment to the Hawai’i FEP to revise the Precious Corals EFH and selected the following preliminary preferred options:

Action 1 – Option 4: Refine the geographic boundary of existing beds and add new beds.
Action 2 – Option 2: Update geographic extent and habitat characteristics.
Action 3 – Option 1: Update the FEP narrative information on EFH.
At its 178th meeting, the Council will consider taking final action to amend the Precious Coral EFH section of the Hawai’i FEP.

C
3. Managing Loggerhead and Leatherback Sea Turtle Interactions in the Hawai’i-Based Shallow-Set Longline Fishery

The Council at its 173rd meeting in June 2018 recommended amending the Pelagic FEP to establish a management framework for the Hawai’i shallow-set longline fishery that consists of 1) annual limits on the number North Pacific loggerhead and leatherback turtle interactions consistent with the anticipated level of annual interactions that is set forth in the current valid biological opinion (BiOp) and 2) individual trip interaction limits for loggerhead and leatherback turtles. The Council also recommended specifications under the framework as follows: 1) annual limits of 37 North Pacific loggerhead turtles and 21 leatherback turtles; and 2) individual trip limit of five North Pacific loggerhead turtles.

The Council’s recommendation for specifying the loggerhead and leatherback turtle annual limits was based on the anticipated level of interactions analyzed in the biological evaluation (BE) initiating reconsultation of the Hawai’i shallow-set longline fishery under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultation process. As part of its recommendation, the Council noted that it would review its recommendation if the new BiOp from the ongoing consultation results in a jeopardy decision or otherwise results in a different incidental take statement for North Pacific loggerheads or leatherbacks. The new BiOp was originally scheduled to be completed by Oct. 31, 2018, but the draft was not completed in time for the October SSC and Council meeting. Following the October meetings, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) set a new timeline to deliver the draft BiOp by Jan. 31, 2019, and a final BiOp by Feb. 28, 2019. Due to the federal government shutdown, the draft BiOp timeline was further delayed to March 25, 2019.

At its October 2018 meeting, the SSC received a presentation from the NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) on the population viability analysis (PVA) for loggerhead and leatherback turtles prepared for the ongoing Section 7 consultation. The modeling was conducted in response to a request by the PIRO Protected Resources Division for the purpose of examining the long-term viability of the species. PVA results indicate that the North Pacific loggerhead population has a mean estimated population growth rate of 2.4 precent, while the Western Pacific leatherback turtle population has a mean estimated population growth rate of 5.3 percent. The growth rates reflect long-term population trends based on nesting beach data representing approximately 52 percent of the North Pacific loggerhead turtle population and approximately 85 percent of the Western Pacific leatherback turtle population.

The Council at its 174th meeting in October 2018 reviewed the approach to the assessment for the BiOp and considered the SSC’s report regarding the PVA. The Council recommended convening an interim Council meeting, if needed, to review draft BiOp and consider any revisions to its June 2018 recommendations based on the BiOp and stated that it will reconsider a specification of leatherback individual trip limits if necessary.

The Council convened its 175th Meeting on Dec. 17, 2018, to consider final action on additional mitigation measures for the Western Pacific leatherback turtles in advance of the draft BiOp completion, taking into consideration the results of the PVA model indicating a continuing long-term declining trend of the population. The Council deferred action until the draft BiOp and more complete information on the impacts of the fishery on the Western Pacific leatherback turtles are available to fully inform the Council decision.

The draft BiOp was provided to the Council on March 28, 2019. The Council convened its 177th meeting on April 12, 2019, to review its recommendations on the management framework from the 173rd meeting for consistency with the draft BiOp and to consider taking final action on the management framework. The draft BiOp concluded that the shallow-set longline fishery is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of ESA-listed species, including loggerhead and leatherback turtles. However, the draft BiOp also contained Reasonable and Prudent Measures (RPMs) that were inconsistent with the Council’s recommended framework. The Council at its 177th meeting maintained its management framework recommendation from the 173rd Council meeting, additionally recommended an individual trip limit of two leatherback turtles and requested that NMFS consider revising the RPMs for consistency with the Council recommended action.

At its 178th meeting, the Council will review the final BiOp for consistency with the 177th meeting recommendations and may consider taking additional final action if any discrepancies remain with the previously recommended action.

D
4. US Participating Territory Longline Bigeye Catch/Allocation Limits

Bigeye tuna comprises a Pacific-wide population that is internationally managed and assessed as separate stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) and Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Association (IATTC), respectively. The best scientific information available indicates that both stocks are not subject to overfishing nor are they overfished, according to the stock status determination reference points in the FEP for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region. The scientific bodies of the WCPFC and IATTC will consider new benchmark stock assessments for both stocks in 2020.

In December 2018, the WCPFC agreed on CMM 2018-01, which limits the US longline bigeye tuna catch in the WCPO to 3,554 metric tons (mt) in 2019 and 2020. CMM 2018-01 does not establish an individual limit on the amount of bigeye tuna that may be harvested annually in the Convention Area by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Participating Territories, including American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Limits are not provided to the SIDS and Participating Territories in recognition of their fisheries development aspirations.

In 2014, Amendment 7 to the Council’s Pelagic FEP was approved and implemented (50 CFR 665.819). It established the territorial catch/effort and allocation limit measure that provides NMFS with authority to:
Specify annual catch or effort limits for a US Participating Territory, as recommended by the Council, not to exceed any WCPFC-adopted limits;
Specify a limit recommended by the Council authorizing a US Participating Territory to allocate a portion of that specified catch or effort limit to eligible US vessels through a specified fishing agreement; and
Review and approve specified fishing agreements for consistency with the Pelagic FEP and other applicable laws.

The Council must annually review the conservation status of the fishery resource, the needs of fishing communities dependent on the particular fishery resource and consistency with the Pelagics FEP and other applicable laws in considering its recommendations for territorial catch, effort and allocation limits as well as its review of specified fishing agreements. Amendment 7 also established a territorial longline bigeye tuna catch limit of 2,000 mt for each territory and an allocation limit of 1,000 mt for each territory. At its 173rd meeting in June 2018, the Council took final action to modify the territorial catch/effort and allocation limit measure and implementing regulations. Should NMFS approve the action, it will amend the Pelagic FEP to remove the requirement for establishing separate total catch or effort limits for the US Participating Territories in order to establish an allocation limit and also would allow multi-year limits. The Council would annually review any established limits to determine whether the best available scientific information or the needs of fishing communities warrant modifying or rescinding such limits.

At its 178th meeting, the Council will consider recommending territorial bigeye tuna catch and/or allocation limits to take effect beginning in 2020, given the Council’s recommended modification of the territorial catch, effort and allocation limit measure. The Council will consider the following options:
1. No catch or allocation limits (no action)
2. 2,000 mt catch and 1,000 mt allocation limits
3. No catch limit and up to 2,000 mt allocation limits

The Council will also consider the fishing years in which the limits will take effect or expire, in consideration of the requirement for annual review, availability of new scientific information and potential for multi-year limits.

WPRFMC 2019 Public Meetings Notice & Agenda Summaries

May 28, 2019 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will hold the following meetings on offshore fisheries
management of Hawai’i, American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Pacific Remote Island Areas. Unless otherwise noted, the meeting will be held at the Council office, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu. For more information and complete agendas, go to www.wpcouncil.org, email info.wpcouncil@noaa.gov, fax (808) 522-8226 or call (808) 522-8220.

Mariana Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP)-Guam Advisory Panel (AP)
Guam Division of Aquatics and Wildlife Resources Conference Room, 163 Dairy Road, Mangilao, Guam
June 6 (Th) 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Major agenda items: Territorial bigeye action item; AP Plans; Guam fishery issues.

American Samoa (AS) Archipelago FEP AP
Native American Samoa Advisory Council Building, Pava’iai’i Village, Tutuila, AS
June 12 (W) 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Major agenda items: Territorial bigeye action item; AP Plans; AS fishery issues.

Mariana Archipelago FEP-CNMI AP
Micronesian Environmental Services Conference Room, Garapan, Saipan
June 13 (Th) 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Major agenda items: Territorial bigeye action item; AP Plans; CNMI fishery issues.

132nd Scientific and Statistical Committee
June 18-20 (T-Th) 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Major agenda items: Setting the Acceptable Biological Catch for the main Hawaiian islands (MHI) Kona crab; Territory bigeye tuna catch/allocation limits.

Hawai’i Archipelago FEP AP
June 20 (Th) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Major agenda items: MHI Kona Crab ACL; AP Plans; Hawai’i fishery issues.

Fishery Data Collection and Research Committee (FDCRC)
June 24 (M) 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Major agenda items: Regulations for mandatory license and reporting; Data collection improvement updates; Pacific insular fisheries monitoring and assessment planning summit; FDCRC strategic plan and Marine Recreational Information Program regional implementation plan updates.

Executive, Budget and Legislative Standing Committee
June 24 (M) 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Major agenda items: Financial and administrative matters; Council standard operating policies and procedures; Council family changes.
Note: A 9:30-10 a.m. litigation briefing will be closed to the public.

Pelagic and International Standing Committee
June 24 (M) 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Major agenda items: Managing loggerhead and leatherback sea turtle interactions in the Hawaii-based shallow-set longline fishery; Territory bigeye tuna catch/allocation limits.

178th Council Meeting
Laniakea YWCA, Fuller Hall, 1040 Richards Street, Honolulu, HI
June 25-27 (T-Th) 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Major agenda items: Options for specifying ACLs for the MHI Kona crab; Hawai’i FEP amendment to precious coral Essential Fish Habitat; Managing loggerhead and leatherback sea turtle interactions in the Hawai’i-based shallow-set longline fishery; Territory bigeye tuna catch/allocation limits.

Fishers Forum – Fishing in the Future: Emerging Technologies in Fisheries
Ala Moana Hotel, 410 Atkinson Dr, Honolulu, HI
June 25 (T) 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Rep. Amata highlights American Samoa’s fishing needs with Sec. Bernhardt

May 22, 2019 — The following was released by The Office of Congresswomen Aumua Amata (R-American Samoa):

Last week, Congresswoman Aumua Amata and the Natural Resources Committee conducted a budget and policy hearing with Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, and she placed a focus on American Samoa’s fishing needs.

In her questioning of the Secretary of the Interior, Congresswoman Amata asked if there would be any changes to the recommendation by his predecessor, former Secretary Ryan Zinke, regarding reopening portions of the marine monuments to American Samoa’s fishing.

In his response, Secretary Bernhardt said the Department’s prior recommendation stands. That response is good news for this policy pursuit for American Samoa, as it means the recommendation to allow much-needed restoration of American Samoa’s fishing waters is not being withdrawn or changed under a new Secretary.

“It’s important to know that the Department of Interior has no plans to pull back the prior recommendation which would allow for restoration of American Samoa’s fishing waters,” said Aumua Amata. “During Secretary Bernhardt’s confirmation process, I repeatedly stressed that American Samoa benefits from a consistent vision in the leadership of the Department of Interior, and I’m pleased that the transition will not interrupt or reduce this policy priority. As it stands, there is a clear recommendation on the books that would allow for restoration of some of American Samoa’s waters.”

Read the full release at Samoa News

Rep. Amata co-sponsors bills that would benefit future of local fishing industry

May 13, 2019 — The following was released by The Office of Congresswomen Aumua Amata (R-American Samoa):

Congresswoman Aumua Amata is an original co-sponsor of two fishing-related bills examined in a Natural Resources Committee hearing, and co-sponsored another Pacific bipartisan bill on education policy. The hearing of the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife is an important step in advancing these bills forward for a vote.

Congresswoman Amata is an original co-sponsor (one of two Republicans and two Democrats) of the bipartisan Young Fishermen’s Development Act, H.R. 1240, which would strengthen the future of fishing in American Samoa, and promote the development of the next generation of commercial fishermen with federal grant support.

For the first time ever, this legislation would create a national grant program through the Department of Commerce that would improve training, education, and workplace development for the next generation of commercial fishermen.

“Fishing is the backbone of our economy in American Samoa,” said Aumua Amata. “This program will help ensure that our young fishermen are equipped and prepared for the dynamic 21st century world. This effort can assist young commercial fishermen in overcoming challenges, by providing resources and emphasizing training for better-paying jobs.”

Additionally, she is an original co-sponsor of the American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act, HR 1218, which would add options for research and development grants related to fisheries. Also, this bill would clarify more balanced representation for the region on the American Fisheries Advisory Committee, leading to better input from the Pacific region.

Finally, Congresswoman Amata also cosponsored a bipartisan bill, the National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2019, HR 2405, introduced by Chairman Jared Huffman (D-CA) of the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife. This effort promotes studies, courses and educational programs related to ocean and marine topics.

Read the full release at Samoa News

Amata-Cosponsored Fishing Bills Examined In Committee

May 9, 2019 — The following was released by The Office of Congresswomen Aumua Amata (R-American Samoa):

Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is an original cosponsor of two fishing-related bills examined in a Natural Resources Committee hearing, and cosponsored another Pacific bipartisan bill on education policy. The hearing of the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife is an important step in advancing these bills forward for a vote.

Congresswoman Amata is an original cosponsor (one of two Republicans and two Democrats) of the bipartisan Young Fishermen’s Development Act, H.R. 1240, which would strengthen the future of fishing in American Samoa, and promote the development of the next generation of commercial fishermen with federal grant support.

For the first time ever, this legislation would create a national grant program through the Department of Commerce that would improve training, education, and workplace development for the next generation of commercial fishermen.

“Fishing is the backbone of our economy in American Samoa,” said Aumua Amata. “This program will help ensure that our young fishermen are equipped and prepared for the dynamic 21st-century world. This effort can assist young commercial fishermen in overcoming challenges, by providing resources and emphasizing training for better-paying jobs.”

Additionally, she is an original cosponsor of the American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act, HR 1218, which would add options for research and development grants related to fisheries. Also, this bill would clarify more balanced representation for the region on the American Fisheries Advisory Committee, leading to better input from the Pacific region.

Finally, Congresswoman Amata also cosponsored a bipartisan bill, the National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2019, HR 2405, introduced by Chairman Jared Huffman (D-CA) of the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife. This effort promotes studies, courses and educational programs related to ocean and marine topics.

The Young Fishermen’s Development Act was introduced in February by the Dean of the House, Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) and Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), Rep. Aumua Amata (American Samoa) and Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Massachusetts).

It would authorize up to $200,000 in competitive grants through NOAA’s Sea Grant Program to support new and established local and regional training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for young fishermen. These programs, workshops and services include seamanship, navigation, electronics, and safety; vessel and engine care, maintenance, and repair; innovative conservation fishing gear engineering and technology; entrepreneurship and good business practices; direct marketing, supply chain, and traceability; financial and risk management, including vessel, permit, and quota purchasing.

Read the full release here

Fisheries Hearing: Amata’s Amendment and a cosponsored bill passed by Committee

May 7, 2019 — Last week, Congresswoman Aumua Amata and the Natural Resources Committee conducted hearings and voted on a series of bills, including passage of an amendment by Rep. Amata, along with a bill affecting the Territories on which she was an original cosponsor.

The Water, Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee held a hearing examining the condition of U.S. fisheries.

“Fishing is the backbone of our economy in American Samoa, and a part of life in the islands,” said Amata. “The health and longevity of our fisheries is an important topic, and I respect the testimony of the witnesses. I also appreciate the insight of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, which most directly affects American Samoa. It’s important for Congress in setting policy to understand the stewardship role of fishery management and the differences in oversight of U.S. and international vessels.”

In other action, the full Committee on Natural Resources voted on a series of bills that were introduced recently, including passage of the bipartisan H.R. 1809, on which Rep. Amata is an original cosponsor. This bill would amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act, to provide parity for United States Territories, and is an effort to ensure equitable funding.

Read the full story at Samoa News

StarKist Fined by EPA For Failing to Comply With 2018 Settlement

April 19, 2019 — StarKist will have to pay $84,500 in penalties for violating the terms of a 2018 settlement, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The 2018 settlement was related to deficiencies in environmental compliance at StarKist’s tuna processing facility in American Samoa. StarKist initially paid a $6.5 million penalty to resolve the violations of federal environmental laws. The company had also agreed to make upgrades to reduce water pollution and the risk of releases of hazardous substances, in addition to providing American Samoa with $88,000 in emergency equipment for responding to chemical releases.

The EPA reports that StarKist violated the terms of the settlement on “multiple occasions” when they made unauthorized discharges from the facility to Pago Pago Harbor. A reported 80,000 gallons of wastewater was dumped into the inner harbor in one incident. The company also “violated the consent decree terms on 27 days when wastewater was routed around one of the required treatment measures to bypass a step in the wastewater treatment process.”

“EPA will continue to work closely with StarKist to ensure the needed safety and pollution control upgrades are realized, per our agreement,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “With our American Samoa EPA partners, we will protect Pago Pago Harbor and the marine environment of American Samoa.”

This story was republished with permission from SeafoodNews.com

Fishermen Identify Projects to Improve Fisheries Development in the U.S. Pacific Islands

March 20, 2019 — SEAFOOD NEWS — Projects to develop fisheries topped the list of needs identified by fishermen from Hawai’i, American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands during their March 15 and 16 meeting in Honolulu. The group, which constitutes the Advisory Panel of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, also highlighted the importance of fishing to the communities of each of the island areas.

Advisory panel members said the social and economic value of the local and regional fisheries also needs to better communicated.

“The Council welcomes the ideas and contributions of the Advisory Panel,” Council Chair Archie Soliai said in a press release. “This is a challenging time for fisheries, and the AP has a lot of work to do.”

The Council will consider the AP recommendations when it meets this weaek at the YWCA Fuller Hall in Honolulu.

Some of the suggested projects and activities from the AP include:

  • fishery demonstration projects;
  • expanded use of technology to collect fishery data;
  • characterization of existing fisheries in Hawai’i; and
  • improved fishing opportunities in Guam and the CNMI through improved fish aggregation devices, fishery access and reduction of shark depredation.

AP members include representatives from diverse fisheries, such as spearfish, longline, bottomfish, charter boat, subsistence and the fishery media. The AP is mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Council said in the release.

This story originally appeared on SeafoodNews.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.

Rep. Aumua Amata Urges Congress to Reform Marine Monuments

March 15, 2019 — The following was released by the office of Rep. Aumua Amata (R, American Samoa):

Congresswoman Aumua Amata gave a statement in the Committee on Natural Resources to make the case in Washington, D.C. that much-needed reforms are needed for the marine monuments on behalf of American Samoa. This full Committee Oversight Hearing was titled, Forgotten Voices: The Inadequate Review and Improper Alteration of Our National Monuments.

The text of her speech is as follows:

Talofa lava. Thank you, Chairman Grijalva and Ranking Member Bishop for holding this hearing today. The topic of today’s hearing is a bipartisan issue I have been strongly advocating for since I was first elected to Congress.

On January 6th, 2009, President Bush established the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument and the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument with Proclamation 8337 and Proclamation 8336. On September 29th, 2014, President Obama expanded the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument with Proclamation 9173. The American Samoan Government and its people were barely consulted before these monuments were established or expanded. As a result, our local fishermen were barred from accessing the waters that Samoans have been visiting for over a millennium.

The monuments serve a good purpose, and I fully support that effort, but not without local input, and not at the expense of access to our people who have utilized these areas for centuries, long before any relationship with the United States.

Many island economies are often heavily reliant on a single industry and in our case it’s the fishing industry.  Our tuna cannery is the dominant economic force in our community. American Samoa’s economy depends on access to our own EEZ. The establishment or expansion of the monuments and the restriction of all local fishing has had a major negative impact on American Samoa. We have lost two out of three of our canneries in the last decade alone.

Our fishermen are the most responsible and regulated in the world. As it stands currently, these fish swim through the monuments and are then caught by nations with little to no environmental regulations…that is not helping the sustainability for the future stock. Using the Antiquities Act to close U.S. waters to domestic fisheries is a clear example of federal overreach and regulatory duplication and obstructs well managed, sustainable U.S. fishing industries in favor of their foreign counterparts, especially when the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument was arbitrarily expanded to over six times its size. It is now half a million square miles or an area the size of three California’s that now is off limits to U.S. domestic fishing.

Congress has already passed laws that ensures the protection and conservation of ecosystems and the species contained therein including the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The Department of Interior has asked the President to restore regulated fishing in the monuments because of the protections put in place by the Magnuson-Stevens Act, protections that the Antiquities Act does not have. Limited commercial fishing can be done without harm to fish stock sustainability or the environment because Congress has already passed and continues to update laws to ensure it.

The Rose Atoll and Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monuments are just two local examples, and the establishment and alteration of our national monuments remains a bipartisan issue affecting the whole country. We need to be looking at the Antiquities Act, because any President from either party should not be permitted to establish or alter a declared monument without input from the public. To that end I am proud to cosponsor Mr. Bishop’s Monument Reform Bill again this Congress, and I want to make it clear that I will welcome legislation from either side of the isle that addresses this oversight.

The unilateral use of an executive order when declaring sites for a national monument designation is not the right way to go about protecting our lands and waters. American Samoans and the other indigenous and local groups represented here today should not have had their way of life so easily threatened by the establishment and alterations of monuments without their input.  We must ensure that all parties involved have a say, and I look forward to working with the committee on addressing what I hope remains a bipartisan issue.

Read the release here

Trump’s National Monument Changes Return to Spotlight

March 13, 2019 — As Democrats in Congress prepare to scrutinize President Donald Trump’s review of 27 national monuments, most of the recommendations made by ex-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke remain unfinished as other matters consume the White House.

Trump acted quickly in December 2017 on Zinke’s recommendations to shrink two sprawling Utah monuments that had been criticized as federal government overreach by the state’s Republican leaders since their creation by Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

But in the 15 months since Trump downsized the Utah monuments, the president has done nothing with Zinke’s proposal to shrink two more monuments, in Oregon and Nevada, and change rules at six others, including allowing commercial fishing inside three marine monuments in waters off New England, Hawaii and American Samoa.

Zinke resigned in December amid multiple ethics investigations — and has joined a Washington, D.C. lobbying firm. Trump has nominated as his replacement Acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, a former lobbyist for the oil and gas industry and other corporate interests.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at U.S News and World Report