November 9, 2026 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:
Sharks taking fish off the line. Confusing fishing regulations. Damage to boats and harbors from natural disasters. Concerns about the future of local fishing.
These are real challenges facing Hawaiʻi’s fishing communities, and the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and its partners want to hear directly from those experiencing them. Nine public meetings across the Hawaiian Islands from Nov. 13 through Dec. 3, 2026, will bring fishermen, community members and fisheries agencies together to tackle local challenges and identify solutions.
The Hawaiʻi Small Boat Fishers’ Forum builds on community conversations held since early 2025, with a focus on turning fishermen’s concerns into priorities and potential actions. The Council and Pacific Islands Fisheries Group are working together to connect local fishing communities with the agencies and organizations involved in managing and supporting Hawaiʻi’s fisheries.
What’s on the table?
- Sharks taking the catch: Addressing shark depredation and improving state and federal shark regulations.
- Disaster relief and recovery: Helping fishing communities prepare for and recover from damage to boats, harbors and fishing infrastructure.
- Fishing rules and research: Improving fisheries management through fishermen’s firsthand observations, better data and community input.
- The future of local fishing: Strengthening fishing infrastructure, supporting local seafood and food security, and sustaining fishing traditions, including discussions on the cultural harvest of green sea turtles.
Each island faces its own challenges, and participants are encouraged to bring forward the issues that matter most to their communities.
Most meetings begin at 5 p.m. with a Fisheries Open House, where attendees can meet agency representatives and local organizations, learn about ongoing projects and resources, and ask questions one-on-one. Fisheries updates and open discussions will follow, giving fishermen an opportunity to share concerns, recommend solutions and help identify next steps.
Whether you fish commercially, non-commercially or to feed your family — or simply care about the future of Hawaiʻi’s fishing communities — your perspective matters.
All meetings are from 5 to 8 p.m., except Honolulu, which is from 6 to 8 p.m. Food and refreshments will be provided.
- Friday, November 13 – Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island: Itsuko’s Kitchen
- Saturday, November 14 – Kona, Hawaiʻi Island: West Hawaiʻi Civic Center
- Monday, November 16 – Waiʻanae, Oʻahu: Waiʻanae Intermediate School
- Tuesday, November 17 – Honolulu, Oʻahu: Ala Moana Hotel (6–8 p.m.)
- Wednesday, November 18 – North Shore, Oʻahu: Waialua Elementary School
- Monday, November 30 – Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi: DHHL Conference Room
- Tuesday, December 1 – Lānaʻi City, Lānaʻi: Lānaʻi High & Elementary School
- Wednesday, December 2 – Maui: Location TBD (check the Council calendar for updates)
- Thursday, December 3 – Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi: Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School
Your fishery. Your voice. Our future. Come share what’s happening on the water and help shape the conversation.
For more information, visit the Council Inflation Reduction Act Project webpage or contact Zach Yamada at zach.yamada@wpcouncil.org or Alex Min at PacificFisheries@gmail.com.
About the Council
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional councils established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to manage fisheries in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Council is responsible for developing and implementing fishery management plans for waters surrounding Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the CNMI and U.S. Pacific Remote Island Areas. The Council works to promote sustainable fisheries, protect marine ecosystems and support the livelihoods of fishing communities through science-based decision-making and stakeholder engagement.