August 12, 2021 — Technological progress is coming to the island: Longliners from Hawaii and American Samoa will be required to electronically report their catches beginning next month.
The National Marine Fisheries Service said the regulation is intended to reduce human error, improve data accuracy, save time for fishermen and NMFS, and provide more rigorous monitoring and forecasting of catch limits. The rule goes into effect on Sept. 7.
August 11, 2021 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced last week that the requirement for the Hawai‘i and American Samoa pelagic longline fisheries to electronically report their catch will be effective Sept. 7, 2021. This regulation is intended to reduce human error, improve data accuracy, save time for fishermen and NMFS, and provide more rigorous monitoring and forecasting of catch limits.
Development of the electronic reporting (ER) system for the Hawai‘i and American Samoa longline fisheries ramped up about 2014. After several years of development, the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) began rolling out the tablets in 2019 for Hawai‘i longline vessels to use on a voluntary basis. At its September 2020 meeting, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council took final action recommending mandatory implementation.
To support PIFSC’s ER outreach to Vietnamese-American fishermen, the Council hired a Vietnamese-speaking staff. The outreach team introduces the tablet, conducts training and follows up with them after their initial trips to help resolve any issues.
Approximately 115 of the 150 Hawai‘i longline vessels have been trained and are now voluntarily using the tablets ahead of mandatory implementation. PIFSC is also coordinating with local NMFS staff in American Samoa to roll out training for the longline vessels based in Pago Pago. PIFSC will continue to provide training support to bring all vessels into compliance.
After Sept. 7, 2021, Hawai‘i longline vessels and Class C and D American Samoa longline vessels will be required to use electronic logbooks once the following criteria are met:
Fishermen will be allowed to use paper logbooks as a backup if vessels experience any electronic logbook or transmission problems.
In the past, longline captains filled out one logbook sheet for every day of fishing during their trip. Then they submitted their full trip’s log sheets to PIFSC when they returned to port. The data were verified and manually entered into a database by PIFSC staff.
There was often a several week delay between when the paper logbook was filled out by the captain and when it became available to fishery managers to compare the latest catch information with catch quotas. The delay creates a significant challenge to predict when the fleet will reach annual catch limits, such as for bigeye tuna.
Electronic logbooks automate and streamline many of these steps, allowing near-real-time catch reports. Each vessel is equipped with a tablet loaded with ER software. The tablet is connected to a vessel monitoring system, which transmits the daily logbook data via satellite to NMFS. Daily catch data submission will be required under the new rule while operating in U.S. waters around Hawai‘i, American Samoa and adjacent high seas.
The Federal Register notice is available at: www.wpcouncil.org/fr-notice-electronic-logbooks-for-hawaii-and-american-samoa-pelagic-longline-fisheries-august-5-2021.
August 10, 2021 — American Samoan fisheries are getting some upgrades.
The National Marine Fisheries Service recently announced the approval of a marine conservation plan for American Samoa. This agency decision is effective for three years, from July 25, 2021, through July 24, 2024.
August 9, 2021 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced yesterday the approval of a marine conservation plan (MCP) for American Samoa. This agency decision is effective for three years, from July 25, 2021, through July 24, 2024.
The latest plan outlines objectives and priorities to maximize sustainable fisheries benefits through fisheries infrastructure, fisheries research and fisheries development for the people of American Samoa. Fishing activities constitute an integral part of the Samoan culture and fisheries development is important for the food security and economic stability of the territory’s 55,000 inhabitants.
The American Samoa MCP contains the following conservation and management objectives:
Several projects were ranked as very high priority, such as fishing infrastructure improvements to docks and ramps, reviving fishermen’s co-ops and developing fish storage and holding facilities in Manu‘a, and conducting a comprehensive economic valuation of tuna fisheries to the American Samoa economy.
Projects funded under previous MCPs include bottomfish data collection efforts, purchase and installation of large capacity ice machines to provide fresh fish for sale locally and export, and the Malaloa dock extension to support the longline fishery, among others.
U.S. regulation allows Specified Fishing Agreements (50 CFR 665.819) that offer a portion of a U.S. Participating Territory’s fishing quota in exchange for funds to support projects in the territory’s MCP. At its June 2021 meeting, the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council reviewed the plan and confirmed its consistency with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and applicable fishery ecosystem plans. The governor of American Samoa then submitted the MCP July 21, 2021 to NMFS for review and approval.
The Federal Register notice and plan are available at: www.wpcouncil.org/fr-notice-marine-conservation-plan-for-american-samoa-western-pacific-sustainable-fisheries-fund-08-05-2021.
June 24, 2021 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council voted to defer action on the rebuilding plan for the federally managed bottomfish complex in American Samoa at its virtual meeting today in Honolulu.
In February 2020, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) informed the Council of a change in stock status for American Samoa bottomfish to overfished and experiencing overfishing. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires the Council to develop a rebuilding plan within 15 months of notification and rebuild the overfished stock within 10 years. During plan development, a new alternative of 5,000 pounds emerged that would rebuild the stock in 10 years with a 27% risk of overfishing.
While the Council opted to consider this alternative at its September 2021 meeting, members expressed their dismay that it was the best choice available. They noted the disparities in catchability between using hand-cranked reels, common among local bottomfishermen, and electric reels. Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds said that changes in fishing power through time would be a good topic for fishermen to discuss with the NMFS scientists at the data workshops planned for the fall.
Similarly, NMFS noted in February 2020 that the federally managed Guam bottomfish stock complex is overfished but not experiencing overfishing. While a new alternative emerged during the rebuilding plan development, it would only add 500 pounds while extending the rebuilding timeline by two years. The Council elected to retain the annual catch limit (ACL) of 31,000 pounds adopted at its March 2021 meeting, starting in fishing year 2022. The limit corresponds to a 41% risk of overfishing and would allow the stock to replenish in eight (8) years. This option poses the least chance of the fishery exceeding the catch limit and considers fishing community needs.
The annual average bottomfish catch over the past several years is about 27,300 pounds. An in-season accountability measure will be implemented to track catch relative to the ACL. Federal waters will be closed to bottomfishing when the ACL is projected to be reached.
Council members representing American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam voiced their continued frustration with the ongoing NMFS coral critical habitat designation process. NMFS issued the proposed rule in November 2020 and the public comment period closed in late May 2021 after multiple requests from the territories to provide additional time for review.
Seven species of corals listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) occur around American Samoa, Guam, the CNMI and the Pacific Remove Island Areas. Their habitat in U.S. waters around the territories represents less than 1% of these species’ full distribution across the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Critical habitat under the ESA can only be designated in U.S. jurisdictions. The proposed designations encompass most shallow waters around the island territories.
The proposed rule’s focus on the territories prompted responses from each area’s governors, resource management agencies and legislatures. John Gourley, CNMI Council member, highlighted the common messages from all of these entities to NMFS, noting that the regions expressed their disappointment in the lack of coordination with the local resource management agencies and expertise in the development of the proposed rule.
Chelsa Muña-Brecht, Council member and Guam Department of Agriculture director, said local coral experts were not consulted to gather the best scientific information available. Council Chair Taotasi Archie Soliai added that “clearly consultation with local agencies is a necessity on these types of issues.” Corals are notoriously difficult to identify, even by experts, and there is much uncertainty about the existing records for the territories.
A March letter from NMFS Regional Administrator Michael Tosatto to the territories said his staff would work directly with local agency staff to gather relevant information to incorporate into the final coral critical habitat rule. Gourley said that no contact has been made to date.
According to the ESA, NMFS is to issue a final rule on the coral critical habitat designation by November 2021. Territories have requested the final decision to be delayed until more complete scientific information are available to provide the basis of the designation.
The Council requested that staff include critical habitat issues in a letter that will be sent to the Biden Administration regarding Executive Order 13985 that encourages comments on barriers to racial equality and underserved communities. More than 75% of the population in the Pacific Islands Region identify as indigenous, Asian American, Pacific Islander or other persons of color—all groups that fall under the EO’s definition of underserved communities that have historically been denied equitable treatment.
Prior to the beginning of the third day of the Council meeting, at 10:30 a.m. (HST) June 24, 2021, two Council-produced films will be shown about fishing and fishing management in Hawai‘i. The 18-minute film Living the Legacy: The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands documents the history of U.S. Pacific Islands fisheries, focusing on the 1920s through 2000. The 12-minute film The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands explores the two opposing ideas that the region should be either closed to all activities, or should be used, studied and managed.
The Council meeting concludes tomorrow by web conference (Webex). Instructions on connecting to Webex, agendas and briefing documents are posted at www.wpcouncil.org/meetings-calendars.
June 18, 2021 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:
The SSC supported inclusion of a new section on fishermen observations to the annual status of the fisheries regional and pelagic reports for American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Hawai‘i and the Pacific Remote Island Areas. The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council discussed this and other issues during its three-day virtual meeting this week.
Fishermen contributions to the 2020 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) reports provided important input in light of COVID-19-related restrictions on data gathering, and real in-water experiences that cannot be replicated by federally funded science.
Bottomfish catch, effort and participation generally declined for all areas except for CNMI in 2020 relative to historical averages, with impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic likely being a contributing factor. In addition, there was a severe reduction in fishery-dependent sampling, especially in Guam, where nearly half of the scheduled creel catch interviews for the year were not conducted due to social distancing restrictions.
The Council produces the SAFE reports through contributions of data and analyses from local and federal partners. The reports give a snapshot of fishery performance and include oceanic and climate indicators, such as increasing sea surface temperature, which contributes to local mass mortality events for coral.
The SSC supported options for bigeye tuna longline catch and allocation limits for 2022 of either up to 3,000 metric tons (6.6 million pounds) or 6,000 metric tons (13.2 million pounds) total transfers for the U.S. Participating Territories of American Samoa, Guam and the CNMI. This recommendation is based on a 2020 assessment for the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) that indicated the bigeye tuna stock is healthy—not subject to overfishing or overfished.
In accordance with applicable laws, the Council may recommend a quota for each U.S. territory and may allow transfer of part of its quota through specified fishing agreements. These agreements are negotiated once the U.S. quota (3,554 metric tons in 2020) is reached.
A new risk analysis from the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center found that a longline fishery gear change by the Hawai‘i deep-set fleet from wire to monofilament leaders would reduce the catch and mortality of oceanic whitetip sharks by about 30%. If a ban on wire leaders was implemented at the international level under regional fishery management organizations, it would reduce the species mortality by 35% across the region.
The SSC finds that the available scientific information provides support for prohibiting wire leaders in longline fisheries and requiring removal of trailing gear from accidentally hooked species like threatened oceanic whitetip sharks. The Council is considering a regulatory change to improve post-hooking survivorship of oceanic whitetip sharks that are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and is subject to overfishing and overfished in the WCPO. Science also provides support for removing as much trailing gear as possible, including the weighted swivel. The SSC recommended that the Council continue to work with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the fishing industry to research methods and practices to facilitate additional safety measures to prevent fly-back.
The SSC also recognized the importance of addressing fishery impacts to oceanic whitetip sharks at the international level due to the small relatively impact from U.S. longline fleets.
The SSC heard a presentation on a 2020 study that scored 95 U.S. fisheries with respect to bycatch using a “relative bycatch index.” Results from the analysis could potentially be used to facilitate management intervention strategies for particular fisheries or gear types, such as shrimp and otter trawls and several pelagic longline and gillnet fisheries, which had the poorest bycatch performance. These findings underscore the need for continued, high-quality, easily accessible bycatch information to better support fisheries management in the United States and globally. The Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery had a relatively high index value as compared to the shallow-set and American Samoa longline fisheries. However, the SSC noted that the study did not take into account regional differences in bycatch strategies and criteria weighting.
Recommendations made by the SSC on these and other matters will be considered by the Council when it meets June 22-24, 2021, virtually with host sites at Tedi of Samoa Building, Suite 208B, Fagatogo Village, American Samoa; BRI Building, Suite 205, Kopa Di Oru St., Garapan, Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI); and Cliff Pointe, 304 W. O’Brien Dr., Hagatña, Guam.
Instructions on connecting to the web conference, agendas and briefing documents are posted at www.wpcouncil.org/meetings-calendars. Host sites are subject to local and federal safety and health guidelines regarding COVID-19; check the Council website for updates.
June 14, 2021 — It’s important for the United States to protect endangered species and their habitats, but it’s also important for the federal government to talk to and work with states and territories before it makes far-reaching decisions.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Marine Fisheries Services plans to impose coral critical habitat designation on Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
The reason is that seven coral species, several of which are found in the waters of these territories, have been listed under the Endangered Species Act. The federal law requires the designation of critical habitat for listed species within the U.S., if “reasonable and prudent.”
June 8, 2021 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:
Click here for a complete PDF version of the 186th Action Item Summary Memo.
The 186th meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will convene June 22-24, 2021, by web conference (WebEx) with host sites at the following locations:
The WebEx link is https://tinyurl.com/186CouncilMtg (if prompted, enter event number: 133 181 5362; password: CM186mtg).
The Council will consider and may take action on the issues summarized below, including any public comments on them. Written public comments on final action items should be received by the Council’s executive director by 5 p.m. (HST), Friday, June 18, 2021, by postal mail, fax or email as indicated below.
Instructions for connecting to the WebEx and providing oral public comments during the meeting will be posted on the Council website at https://www.wpcouncil.org/event/186th-council-virtual-meeting/.
June 7, 2021 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council announces the following public meetings on fisheries management in offshore waters of Hawai‘i (HI), American Samoa (AS), Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and the Pacific Remote Island Areas (PRIAs). Unless otherwise noted, the meetings will be held by web conference. Host sites are subject to local and federal safety and health guidelines regarding COVID-19; check the Council website for updates. All times listed are local island times. For more information on the virtual meeting connection and complete agendas, go to www.wpcouncil.org/meetings-calendars, email info@wpcouncil.org, fax (808) 522-8226 or phone (808) 522-8220.
AS Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Advisory Panel (AP)
June 8 (T) 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (SST)
Major agenda items: AS bottomfish update; Territory bigeye specifications; Gear and release amendment to improve shark survivorship in longline fisheries; 2020 annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) reports; and AP plans.
Non-Commercial Fisheries Advisory Committee
June 9 (W) 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (HST)
Major agenda items: Regional/national noncommercial fishing efforts and initiatives; 2020 annual SAFE reports; and Uku fishery monitoring and management.
Fishing Industry Advisory Committee
June 10 (Th) 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (HST)
Major agenda items: Offshore aquaculture management; HI offshore wind energy; Council action items; Mariana Archipelago shark depredation project; Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee seafood recommendations; and Endangered Species Act issues.
Mariana Archipelago FEP-Guam AP
June 10 (Th) 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (ChST)
Major agenda items: Guam bottomfish update; Territory bigeye specifications; 2020 annual SAFE reports; Shark depredation project update; AP plans; and Guam fishery issues and activities.
HI Archipelago FEP AP
June 11 (F) 9 a.m. to noon (HST)
Major agenda items: Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) deep-seven bottomfish annual catch limit (ACL) specification; Gear and release amendment to improve shark survivorship in longline fisheries; Tori line specifications for HI deep-set longline fishery; Offshore wind energy impacts on fisheries; 2020 annual SAFE reports; and AP plans.
Mariana Archipelago FEP-CNMI AP
June 12 (Sat) 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (ChST)
Major agenda items: Guam bottomfish update; Territory bigeye specifications; 2020 annual SAFE reports; Shark depredation project update; AP plans; and CNMI fishery issues and activities.
140th Scientific & Statistical Committee
Direct link to meeting: https://tinyurl.com/140SSCMtg. If prompted, password SSC140mtg.
June 15 – 17 (T – Th) 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (HST)
Major agenda items: Gear and release amendment to improve shark survivorship in longline fisheries (action item); 2022 U.S. territorial bigeye tuna catch and allocation limit (action item); Standardized bycatch reporting methodology review (action item); and 2020 annual SAFE reports.
Pelagic & International Standing Committee
June 21 (M) 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (HST)
Major agenda items: Gear and release amendment to improve shark survivorship in longline fisheries (action item); and 2022 and multi-year U.S. territorial bigeye tuna catch and allocation limits (action items).
Executive & Budget Standing Committee
June 21 (M) 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (HST)
Major agenda items: Financial and administrative matters; Council Coordination Committee meeting report; and Council family changes.
186th Council Meeting
Direct link to meeting: https://tinyurl.com/186CouncilMtg. If prompted, password CM186mtg.
Host sites: Tedi of Samoa Bldg., Suite 208B, Fagatogo Village, AS
BRI Bldg., Suite 205, Kopa Di Oru St., Garapan, Saipan, CNMI
Cliff Pointe, 304 W. O’Brien Drive, Hagatña, Guam
June 22 – 24 (T – Th) 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (HST)
Major agenda items: Gear and release amendment to improve shark survivorship in longline fisheries (action item); 2022 and multi-year U.S. territorial bigeye tuna catch and allocation limits (action items); AS and Guam bottomfish rebuilding plans (action items); AS marine conservation plan (action item); standardized bycatch reporting methodology review (action item); MHI deep-seven bottomfish ACLs for fishing years 2021-23 (action item); and 2020 annual SAFE reports.
Written comments on final action items on the 186th Council meeting agenda received by June 18, 2021, will be distributed to Council members prior to meeting. Direct comments to Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director, WPRFMC, and mail to 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813; fax to (808) 522-8226; or email to info@wpcouncil.org. Written comments on all other agenda items may be submitted for the record by email throughout the duration of the meeting.
May 4, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
What is your key responsibility?
I am a fisheries biologist based in Pago Pago, American Samoa. One of my primary roles is to serve as a fisheries liaison for coral reef management. I provide support and assistance to the American Samoa resource management partners and local communities on coral reef management projects. I conduct reviews and provide conservation recommendations for Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultations on development projects in American Samoa to minimize, avoid, and/or mitigate any adverse effects to EFH.
What is Essential Fish Habitat?
Where did you grow up?
I am a Samoan, born and raised in American Samoa. I grew up in a small village called Aua on Tutuila Island in a family that values culture, church, and family.
What is your educational background?
I earned a B.S. degree in biology from Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawai‘i and an M.S. degree in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver.
Are you a member of any organizations within your community?
I am an active member of a few organizations within my Catholic church, Maria Fatima Parish, in Aua, Tutuila. These organizations include the St. Gregory Choir, Women’s Organization, Youth Group, and Sunday School Teachers Organization. I am a volunteer science mentor for the Marist St. Francis Elementary School, assisting regularly with student science fair projects. I am also the Treasurer for the Marist St. Francis Elementary School Parents and Teachers Association.
What book influenced you to be the person that you are today?
Thrive by Arianna Huffington. People often think that you are a successful person when you have a bigger salary and office space. However, this book shows how success is not only defined by money and power but the importance of being mindful, having self-awareness, taking care of yourself, and being generous to others. The book defines these thriving elements in the areas of well-being, wisdom, wonder, and giving. I am using these elements to help me in my journey to success.
What advice would you have for today’s youth interested in a federal government career?
Believe in yourself and never let fear limit you from applying for a career opportunity in the federal government. Do your research on federal career opportunities and work towards obtaining the required skills and experiences for the opportunity relevant to your interest. Obtain a college degree and seek internship opportunities within the federal offices that you are interested in.