Bottomfish Archives - Saving Seafood

US Pacific Federal Fishery Managers Recommend Tori Lines, New American Samoa Bottomfish Stock Assessment Approach

December 9, 2021 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council recommended today to replace blue-dyed fish bait and strategic offal discharge with tori lines in the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery’s suite of seabird conservation measures. This amendment will improve the overall operational practicality and efficacy of required mitigation regulations. At their meeting last week, the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) supported the regulatory changes, noting that they are informed by the best scientific information available.

The change was based on a fishing-industry-led collaborative project with Hawai‘i longline vessels to conduct field experiments over the past three years to compare seabird interaction rates with baited hooks. “The Hawaii Longline Association fully supports this change to tori lines,” said HLA Executive Director Eric Kingma. Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds added, “This action is an example representing the Council’s long history of proactive and adaptive conservation measures to address fishery impacts to protected species.”

The Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery, which targets bigeye tuna, has been using a suite of seabird mitigation measures since 2001 under the Council’s Pelagic Fishery Ecosystem Plan. This effort was accomplished through the Magnuson-Stevens Act’s bottom-up approach for making or changing fishery regulations that starts with an issue presented from Council advisory groups and the public.

The Council also endorsed the SSC’s recommendation to use a single-species, age-structured management approach for the next American Samoa bottomfish stock assessment scheduled for 2023. The American Samoa bottomfish fishery is managed in an 11-species complex, which is overfished and experiencing overfishing, according to a 2019 Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) assessment. Data are available to support age-structured assessments.

An SSC working group and PIFSC, American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) and Council staffs held two data evaluation workshops to improve information used in the stock assessment. “This data discussion and evaluation is a step in the right direction,” said DMWR Director and Council Chair Archie Soliai. “Consultation between PIFSC and DMWR is absolutely necessary to ensure that the next stock assessment is accurate.”

On another issue, Council members raised concerns with the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) “negative determination” that the proposed critical habitat designation for Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed coral species is not expected to affect the territories’ Coastal Zone Management Programs. Territory governments have been receiving conflicting information from NMFS on whether the “negative determination” is automatic for critical habitat designations. The Council requested that NMFS follow up with the Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) governments to provide specific reasons for not accepting the territorial objection of the NMFS negative determination on the Coastal Zone Management Act federal consistency provisions.

Council members from the CNMI, Guam and American Samoa continued to press NMFS regarding the pending critical habitat designation. In November 2020, NMFS proposed the designation of critical habitat in nearshore territorial waters. Critical habitat is habitat containing physical features essential to supporting recovery of ESA-listed species.

Territory resource agencies and governors have since voiced their dismay that such designations may impact the territory governments’ ability to manage coastal areas, which are often funded by or authorized by the federal government. Critical habitat designations add a layer of federal agency consultation to the federal project approval process.

Tomorrow the Council will discuss outcomes of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission annual meeting on tropical tuna management measures and proposed Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary updates, among other topics. Instructions on connecting to Webex, agendas and briefing documents are posted at www.wpcouncil.org/meetings-calendars.

The Council manages federal fisheries operating in waters offshore of the State of Hawai‘i, the Territories of American Samoa and Guam, the CNMI and the U.S. Pacific Remote Islands Areas.

WPRFMC: Western Pacific Scientists Support Tori Lines Over Blue-Dyed Bait in Tuna Fishery and Exploring New Bottomfish Management Approach

December 1, 2021 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council continued to support replacing blue-dyed fish bait and strategic offal discard requirements in the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery with tori lines for seabird bycatch mitigation. Results from field experiments conducted in the past three years under an experimental fishing permit showed that Laysan and black-footed albatross were 4 times less likely to come in contact with baited hooks when participating vessels used tori lines, or bird scaring lines, versus blue-dyed bait. Tori lines have proved effective in other longline fisheries around the world.

SSC members discussed various impacts the management alternatives could have on the U.S. longline commercial fishery, including additional crew time required to create and clean up the blue-dyed bait. The SSC supports removal of strategic offal discharge as a requirement since there is inconclusive scientific evidence that it provides a conservation benefit, especially in light of the tori line effect on seabird interaction rates. In lieu of this requirement, the management measure would include best practice training for longline vessel owners and operators on offal management at the required annual National Marine Fisheries Service protected species workshop.

The SSC provides scientific advice to the Council, which is considering modifications to a regulatory amendment to improve seabird conservation. The Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery, which targets bigeye tuna, has been using a suite of seabird mitigation measures since 2001 under the Council’s Pelagic Fishery Ecosystem Plan.

After reviewing a workshop report on American Samoa bottomfish data evaluation, the SSC supported a single-species management approach for the next stock assessment scheduled for 2023. The American Samoa bottomfish fishery is managed in an 11-species complex, which is overfished and experiencing overfishing, according to a 2019 Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) assessment. The PIFSC Stock Assessment Program reported there are sufficient data to explore the use of single-species assessments for most managed bottomfish species except for pink snapper (palu-‘ena‘ena, Pristipomoides filamentosus).

The report summarized information collected from six systems and highlighted the data quantity, quality and changes over time. The catch per unit effort data from the creel surveys and the resulting estimated catch are highly uncertain, particularly for species that are not well represented in the surveys. However, there is sufficient information for a single species, age-based assessment using length information from the PIFSC diver surveys and biosampling program, and territory boat-based creel surveys.

Creel surveys collect general fisheries data provided voluntarily by commercial and noncommercial boat and shore fishermen. Moving forward with a single-species approach may require changes in conservation and management measures.

The SSC meeting continues tomorrow with discussions on pelagic and international fisheries. Instructions on connecting to the web conference, agenda and briefing documents are posted at www.wpcouncil.org/event/142nd-scientific-and-statistical-committee-virtual-meeting.

WPRFMC: 2021 Public Meetings Notice

November 15, 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.

Fishing Industry Advisory Committee

November 16 (T) 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (HST)

Major agenda items: Fishing and market issues/impacts; Seabird mitigation measure revisions in the HI deep-set longline (DSLL) fishery; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) meeting reports; False killer whale acoustic study and Take Reduction Team research priorities; AS gear diversification project report; and CNMI bottomfish (BF) development and training report.

Non-Commercial Fisheries Advisory Committee

November 16 (T) 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (HST)

Major agenda items: Fishery allocation discussion; National Recreational Fishing Summit update; and Fishermen observations.

AS Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Advisory Panel (AP)

November 16 (T) 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (SST)

Major agenda items: AS Sustainable Fisheries Fund (SFF) project reports; AS outreach and education update; AS BF Data Workshop report; Territorial BF Fishery Management Plan update; AS fishermen observations update; and AP plans.

Pelagic and International Standing Committee

November 17 (W) 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (HST)

Major agenda items: Seabird mitigation measure revisions in the HI DSLL fishery; Endangered Species Act Biological Opinions report; Hawaii Longline Assoc. and Tautai o Samoa Longline & Fishing Assoc. reports; and WCPFC meeting reports.

Social Science Planning Committee

November 18 (Th) 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (HST)

Major agenda items: Socioeconomic modules for the annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation reports; Social Science Strategic Plan update; and Environmental justice in fisheries management.

Mariana Archipelago FEP-CNMI AP

November 18 (Th) 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (ChST)

Major agenda items: Fish aggregating devices (FADs) and fishery infrastructure reports; Military issues and concerns; Catchit Logit transfer and mandatory reporting requirements; SFF project updates; CNMI fishermen observations update; and AP plans.

Mariana Archipelago FEP-Guam AP

November 18 (Th) 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (ChST)

Major agenda items: Military issues and concerns; FAD issues and solutions; Council Coral Reef Program update; AP outreach and education report; Guam fishermen observations update; and AP plans.

HI Archipelago FEP AP

November 19 (F) 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (HST)

Major agenda items: Seabird mitigation measure revisions in the HI DSLL fishery; Proposed Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) sanctuary update; Green turtle management update; HI Dept. of Aquatic Resources sportfish funding report; HI fishermen observations update; and AP plans and working group reports.

142nd Scientific and Statistical Committee

Direct link to meeting: https://tinyurl.com/142SSCMtg. If prompted, password SSC142mtg.

November 30 – December 2 (T – Th) 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (HST)

Major agenda items: Seabird mitigation measure revisions in the HI DSLL fishery (action item); Environmental justice report; AS BF Data Workshop report; and SSC and Council Coordination Committee area-based working group reports.

Executive and Budget Standing Committee

December 6 (M) 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (HST)

Major agenda items: Financial and administrative matters; and Council family changes.

189th Council Meeting

Direct link to meeting: https://tinyurl.com/189CouncilMtg. If prompted, password CM189mtg.

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

December 7 – 9 (T – Th) 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (HST)

Major agenda items: Territorial creel survey expansion; Seabird mitigation measure revisions in theHI DSLL fishery (action item); False killer whale weak hook study report; AS BF Data Workshop report; WCPFC meeting reports; and Proposed NWHI sanctuary update.

Written comments on final action items on the 189th Council meeting agenda received by Dec. 3, 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.

US Pacific Fishery Managers Recommend Quota for American Samoa Bottomfish

October 20, 2021 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Today, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council recommended the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) implement a 5,000-pound annual catch limit (ACL) for the American Samoa bottomfish stock complex. According to a 2019 NMFS assessment, the 11-species bottomfish complex is overfished and the fishery is experiencing overfishing. A 10-year rebuilding plan is required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Federal waters will be closed to bottomfishing when the ACL is projected to be reached. With 85% of the bottomfish habitat located within territorial waters, it is critical that federal and local fishery management efforts are coordinated.

The American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources presented a draft Bottomfish Management Plan to the Council that was developed with input from fishing communities in Tutuila and Manu‘a. The plan includes mandatory catch reporting; fisher and fish dealer licensing; vessel registration; seasonal, area-based and catch-based closures; and size limits.

In his remarks to open the Council meeting, American Samoa Governor Lemanu Mauga said fishing is a way of life in the islands and a vital aspect of his culture. He noted that only a tiny portion of the bottomfishers’ catch is sold—most is “eaten, shared and distributed among families, especially during fa‘alavelaves (cultural events, funerals, weddings, etc.) and holidays. Perhaps, it is also high time to explore more culturally appropriate ways of managing this type of small, cultural and subsistence fishery.”

“The dilemma that we are facing in American Samoa is the difficulty of melding Western ways with cultural ways we live by every day,” said Kitty Simonds, Council executive director. Simonds pointed out the Council has worked for many years to develop a management system without strict regulations that better fits the Western Pacific Region.

Manny Dueñas, Council vice chair from Guam, supported the recommendation, but with reservations about the health and welfare of the American Samoa community. He commented he would hate to be in Council Chairman Soliai’s shoes when he tells the community to stop catching fish for their festivities. The Guam bottomfish fishery is overfished according to a 2019 NMFS stock assessment.

The territory has a population of approximately 58,000 people, with more than 54% living under the poverty level. The ACL for the bottomfish stock complex specified in 2017 was 106,000 pounds.

The Council manages federal fisheries operating in waters offshore of the State of Hawai‘i, the Territories of American Samoa and Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and the U.S. Pacific Remote Islands Areas.

Federal Fishery Managers to Choose Alternative for American Samoa Bottomfish Rebuilding Plan

October 15, 2021 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will meet virtually Oct. 19, 2021, and take final action on the American Samoa Bottomfish Rebuilding Plan. The agenda, background documents and instructions for connecting to the meeting and providing oral public comments are available at www.wpcouncil.org/event/188th-council-virtual-meeting.

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 based on an artifact of uncertainty in the survey data. 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. Alternatives include an annual catch limit (ACL) of 5,000 pounds that would rebuild the stock in 10 years with a 27% risk of overfishing, and closing federal waters.

The ACL for the bottomfish stock complex specified in 2017, prior to the 2019 assessment, was 106,000 pounds. Following the assessment, fishermen were allowed to catch an interim limit of 13,000 pounds to alleviate the impact on their communities, which expires Nov. 18, 2021. The American Samoa bottomfish fishery is small, with six fishers catching an estimated 8,040 pounds in 2020. Fishery landings have been declining since a high of 21,536 pounds in 2015. NMFS is not scheduled to complete a new stock assessment until 2023.

“According to the Pacific Community (SPC), 5,000 metric tons of bottomfish are harvested in neighboring Samoa, which is an incredible amount of fish,” said Archie Soliai, Council chair and director of the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources. “We obviously have a data problem, not a resource problem.”

At the 187th meeting in September 2021, the Council deferred taking final action on the rebuilding plan for the federally managed bottomfish complex in American Samoa to allow Soliai time to consult with Governor Lemanu Mauga on the coordinated management of the bottomfish fishery in territorial and federal waters. Several Council members expressed their dismay at the low catch limit alternatives and the potential fishery closure.

The Council has worked with NMFS and the territory of American Samoa for the past year to develop the first set of rebuilding plans for the region. Governor Mauga is scheduled to make opening remarks at the Council meeting.

The virtual meeting will have 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. Host sites are subject to local and federal safety and health guidelines regarding COVID-19; check the Council website for updates.

2021 Public Meeting Notice and Action Item Summary for the 188th Meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

September 30, 2021 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The 188th meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will convene Oct. 19, 2021, from 2 to 4 p.m. (HST) by web conference (Webex) with host sites at the following locations:

•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

•Cliff Pointe, 304 W. O’Brien Drive, Hagatña, Guam

Host sites are subject to local and federal safety and health guidelines regarding COVID-19; check the Council website for updates. The direct Webex link is https://tinyurl.com/188CouncilMtg. If prompted, enter event number: 2469 054 2743; password: 188CMmtg.

The Council will consider and may take action on the issue summarized below, including any public comments on the action. Written public comments on final action items should be received by the Council’s executive director by 5 p.m. (HST), Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, by postal mail, fax or email as indicated below.

Instructions for connecting to the Webex and providing oral public comments during the meeting, along with the complete agenda, will be posted on the Council website at https://www.wpcouncil.org/event/188th-council-virtual-meeting.

Mail:

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

FAX: (808) 522-8226

E-mail: info@wpcouncil.org

Action Item Summary for the 188th Council Meeting

American Samoa Bottomfish Management Unit Species Rebuilding Plan (Final Action)

In February 2020, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) informed the Council about the change in stock status for the American Samoa bottomfish management unit species complex from not overfished and not subject to overfishing to overfished and subject to overfishing. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and National Standard 1 requires the Council to develop a rebuilding plan and submit the amendment package within 15 months of notification. This is the first rebuilding plan for American Samoa. For one year, the Council has worked with NMFS and the territory of American Samoa to develop a rebuilding plan to comply with MSA section 304(e)(3) and implementing regulations at 50 CFR 600.310(j)(2). An interim catch limit was implemented in the American Samoa bottomfish fishery through an interim measure emergency rule-making to curb the impact of the change in stock status and sudden drop in the annual catch limit (ACL) (85 FR 73003, Nov. 16, 2020). This level of catch is 13,000 pounds, with the possibility of extension if this is not reached.

The biomass projection is now based on the most recent catch data in the American Samoa Fishery Ecosystem Plan Annual Stock Assessment Fishery Evaluation Report published in June 2021. The catch for 2020 was below the interim catch limit and is no longer based on an estimate as it was in the January 2021 projection.

The Council at its 188th meeting will consider taking final action on the American Samoa Bottomfish Rebuilding Plan and will consider the following alternatives:

1.Status quo – continue to utilize an ACL of 13,000 pounds with an in-season accountability measure (AM).

2.Implement an ACL of 1,500 pounds with an in-season AM and higher performance standard that would close the federal waters until measures are in place to control the additional source of fishing mortality. If the total catch is maintained below this level, the bottomfish stock will be rebuilt in 9 years.

3.Apply a temporary moratorium on bottomfish fishing in federal waters. If the territory is able to apply a similar moratorium in territorial waters, the bottomfish stock will be rebuilt in 8 years.

4.Implement an ACL of 5,000 pounds with an in-season AM and higher performance standard that would close the federal waters until measures are in place to control the additional source of fishing mortality. If the total catch is maintained below this level, the bottomfish stock will be rebuilt in 10 years.

US Pacific Fishery Managers Set Uku Catch Limits in Hawai‘i, Support Exploring Cultural Take of Green Sea Turtles

September 21, 2021 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council recommended that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) implement a 291,010-pound annual catch target for uku in the main Hawaiian Islands. This would include an in-season accountability measure to avoid surpassing this level for fishing years 2022 to 2025. The previous catch limit, effective from 2019 to 2021, was nearly half the amount at 127,205 pounds, but only applied to commercial fishers, whereas the new limit combines the commercial and noncommercial sectors.

The Council also heard a report on honu (green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas) management in Hawai‘i, noting continued requests from the fishing community to allow harvest for cultural purposes. Council members supported developing a way forward with NMFS. Manny Dueñas, Council member from Guam, expressed deep concern at the erosion of respect for indigenous cultures in our region, where turtles have been valued for medicine, food and sustenance for more than 4,000 years. The Council will work with communities to document the history of cultural harvest and use of honu in Hawai‘i.

The Council deferred taking final action on the rebuilding plan for the federally managed bottomfish complex in American Samoa, and will organize an intercessional meeting for the week of Oct. 18, 2021. Several Council members expressed their dismay at the low catch limit alternatives and the potential fishery closure. Archie Soliai, Council chair and director of the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources said the extra time would allow him time to consult with the governor on the coordinated management of the bottomfish fishery in territorial and federal waters.

“We carefully balance the economic development aspirations with sustainable management of the bottomfish resource based on available scientific information,” Soliai said. The territory is working with local communities to develop a Territorial Bottomfish Fishery Management Plan that is in line with Fa’a Samoa, the Samoan identity and way of living.

“Fishing is how we keep in touch with Fa’a Samoa…our God-given right and our way of feeding our communities,” noted Howard Dunham, Council member from American Samoa and president of the American Samoa Alia Fishing Association. “We need to revive our alia fleet instead of further marginalizing a small underserved fishing community. Some alia still use wooden reels because modern reels are expensive.” The territory has a population of approximately 58,000 people, with more than 54% living in poverty.

The Council requested that the NMFS Stock Assessment Program separate the shallow- and deepwater-bottomfish into separate stock complexes in its next assessment. The Council also requested that the data workshop sharing information with the American Samoa fishing communities currently planned for November 2021 be held in-person.

For meeting agenda and briefing materials, visit www.wpcouncil.org/meetings-calendars.

Fisheries Development Projects are Top Priority for American Samoa

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:

Maximize social and economic benefits through sustainable fisheries.
Support quality scientific research to assess and manage fisheries.
Promote an ecosystem approach in fisheries management.
Recognize the importance of island culture and traditional fishing in managing fishery resources and foster opportunities for participation.
Promote education and outreach activities and regional collaboration regarding fisheries conservation.
Encourage development of technologies and methods to achieve the most effective level of enforcement and to ensure safety at sea.

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.

Public–Private Partnership Remains Key to the Annual Bottomfish Survey in Hawaiʻi

July 12, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

There is light at the end of the tunnel as many of the restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic start to relax. However, restarting large-scale research and survey operations takes time. The 2020 Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Bottomfish Fishery-Independent Survey in Hawaiʻi (#BFISH) was highly successful. It showed that cooperative research fishers, working in partnership with NOAA, can achieve a high degree of effectiveness and efficiency. In 2021, NOAA will continue to rely on our 10-year cooperative research partnership with the local fishing community to conduct survey operations critical to fishery management in Hawaiʻi.

The annual survey became operational in 2016. It continues to provide important local abundance estimates used in the Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish Stock Assessment.

A key difference between #BFISH and many of our other research missions is its foundational partnership with the local fishing community. Traditionally, the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette conducts stereo-video camera deployments. Local fishers contracted through Lynker Technologies and the Pacific Islands Fisheries Group conduct research fishing operations. They use traditional hook-and-line methods to collect samples within an experimental design developed in close partnership with Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center scientists. As in 2020, our Lynker/Pacific Islands Fisheries Group partners will conduct 100 percent of the sampling, including both fishing and camera operations.

Read the full release here

Western Pacific Council Defers Action on American Samoa Bottomfish Rebuilding Plan

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.