Saving Seafood

Western Pacific Fishermen Losing Last Vestiges of U.S. Waters Open to Fishing; Council Frustrated

June 29, 2022 — Sanctuaries, marine monuments, no-fishing zones — Western Pacific fishermen are trying to hold on to as many areas open for fishing as they can.

Last week, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council supported permitting non-commercial fishing and prohibiting commercial fishing in the Monument Expansion Area of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, from 50 to 200 nautical miles.

However, Council members were infuriated because continuing to close areas to fishing is an affront to indigenous peoples. Members stressed the importance of continuing indigenous cultures and practices. Guam Council Vice Chair Manny Dueñas noted that permitting fishing perpetuates Hawaiian culture, and does not preserve it in a pickle jar.

“Whether they decide to or not, I want the Hawaiians to have the opportunity to be able to practice their culture,” Duenas said in a press release.

“It is important that we allow Native Hawaiian traditional practices, but minimize the impacts from non-native fishing,” David Sakoda, Council representative for the State of Hawai‘i, added.

Read the full story at Seafood News

Council Offended by Removal of Last Vestiges of US Ocean Waters Open to Fishing

June 24, 2022 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Council supported permitting non-commercial fishing and prohibiting commercial fishing in the Monument Expansion Area of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) (50 to 200 nautical miles). Council members were infuriated because continuing to close areas to fishing is an affront to indigenous peoples. Members stressed the importance of continuing indigenous cultures and practices. Guam Council Vice Chair Manny Dueñas said, “Permitting fishing perpetuates Hawaiian culture, and does not preserve it in a pickle jar. Whether they decide to or not, I want the Hawaiians to have the opportunity to be able to practice their culture.”

“It is important that we allow Native Hawaiian traditional practices, but minimize the impacts from non-native fishing,” said David Sakoda, Council representative for the State of Hawai‘i.

Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds asked, “How much more protection would we have by an overlay of the sanctuary? Closing these waters to protect migratory fish is futile when the fish move everywhere.”

The Council will develop the details for provisions related to non-commercial fishing in the NWHI, including Native Hawaiian practices and cooperative research to amend the Council’s Fishery Ecosystem Plans for initial action in September.

The Council also discussed a proposal to further expand the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (PRIMNM), closing waters 50 to 200 nautical miles seaward of Palmyra Atoll, Kingman Reef and Howland and Baker Islands. The existing PRIMNM already closes all waters 0 to 200 nm around Wake Island, Johnston Atoll, Jarvis Island, and closes waters 0 to 50 nm from the proposed island areas.

“With the additional restrictions that keep getting placed on indigenous fishermen, pretty soon no one will be able to go fishing. This has got to stop,” emphasized Monique Amani, Council member from Guam. “During the pandemic, the islands came together to utilize their subsistence traditions of fishing to support each other.”

Expansion would jeopardize the viability of the tuna cannery in American Samoa, the largest employer in the territory. The cannery relies on fish supply from the U.S.-flagged purse seine fleet, which has declined from 38 to 13 vessels. Closing the remaining U.S. waters of Howland, Baker, and Palmyra Islands forces U.S. purse seiners to fish farther away from American Samoa and thereby deliver their catch to closer ports, like Ecuador.

“More than half of the people in American Samoa live below the poverty level,” said Council Chair Archie Soliai. “If the president signs off on this, it will be in conflict with his executive order on advancing equity and environmental justice in underserved communities.”

CNMI Council member McGrew Rice added, “We need to consider that the Pacific Remote Islands monument is surrounded by more than 3,000 foreign vessels that fish in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. All it’s doing is increasing fishing privileges for competing foreign fleets that don’t manage to our standards.”

Council members continued to express frustration with restricted access to fishing within monuments and sanctuaries in their areas. “What is the point of a monument expansion?” asked Guam Council member Chelsa Muña-Brecht. “Is it to preserve the pretty fish in the area? It doesn’t serve the community and doesn’t level the playing ground between U.S. and foreign fishers.”

The Antiquities Act that presidents use to establish monuments is not a transparent process, but implemented through a “top-down” approach that conflicts with equity and environmental justice principles. “The Antiquities Act was intended to protect burial sites and relics of indigenous people. It is not an appropriate approach to marine conservation – we have the MSA for that,” said John Gourley, Council vice chair from the CNMI. “Monument designation bypasses the courtesy of involving affected communities.”

Hawai‘i Council member Matt Ramsey said, “To avoid unintended consequences, it’s critical that stakeholder engagement occurs early on in the process of developing a fisheries management proposal. Those most impacted by a management action need to have an opportunity to learn about the proposed action and share their perspective.”

The Council will ask President Biden for a comprehensive evaluation of the unintended consequences of the proposed expansion and that any measures be evaluated through a transparent and public process prior to implementation.

Council Concerned With Lack of Support for Western Pacific Fishing Communities

June 22, 2022 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

On the first day of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council meeting, members learned that while the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) FY2022 budget increased this year, the Council’s annual request was reduced by $343K. This cut will impact capacity-building efforts, the annual report on the status of fisheries in the region and the protected species program.

Council members were critical of the devaluing of fisheries in the Pacific Islands. Council Chair Taotasi Archie Soliai was concerned that Council programs are being impacted. “NMFS keeps talking about equity and justice, but this is not seen in our islands.”

Soliai continued, “Our economies and cultures depend on the ocean and fishing,” noting the proposed closure of the remaining waters of the Pacific Remote Island Areas north of American Samoa. Governor Mauga of American Samoa asked President Biden not to expand the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, while Governor Ige of Hawai‘i supported the request by the Pacific Remote Islands Coalition (PRIC). “Hawaii has a large, highly developed and diversified economy. American Samoa does not,” said Governor Mauga. “American Samoa is highly dependent on the United States for financial assistance to support our infrastructure, harbors, airports, hospitals, and schools. If our tuna industry collapses, American Samoa will become more dependent on U.S. financial aid.” Links to the governors’ letters can be found here: www.wpcouncil.org/event/191st-council-meeting-virtual.

Manny Dueñas, Council vice chair from Guam, echoed the chair’s comments, noting that the reduction of funding and additional closures are a “personal and major concern to the fishing communities in the islands” and that “in the Marianas, we need to fish to feed our people.”

Council members discussed a delinquent NMFS draft bottomfish fisheries biological opinion (BiOp) that was provided to the Council less than three weeks ago for comments. The publication of the opinion took three years to develop and John Gourley, Council vice chair from the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI), commented, “fishermen have been waiting for this to be completed to ensure they weren’t adversely affecting the protected species in their area.”

Council members also expressed their frustration with BiOp delays for the Hawai‘i deep-set longline and American Samoa longline fisheries, noting the extended delays create uncertainties that cause anxiety. The Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds reminded the NMFS regional administrator that there is a policy directive that recognizes the Council’s unique role in helping NMFS comply with the Endangered Species Act. The Council remains optimistic that it will have the opportunity to review draft BiOps prior to its next meeting in September.

The Council also requested the U.S. Coast Guard station a fast response cutter in American Samoa to support U.S. coastal security, national and international fishery patrols, search and rescue and national defense. As international fisheries around American Samoa grow, the Council would like to ensure that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing does not encroach into the U.S. exclusive economic zone.

The Council will convene tomorrow, Wednesday, June 22 for the second of its three-day meeting to review and potentially make recommendations on protected species, pelagic and international fisheries, and program planning and research. The full agenda, background documents and instructions for connecting to the meeting and providing oral public comments are available at www.wpcouncil.org/event/191st-council-meeting-virtual

Fishery Management Council to Consider Area-Based Management Issues and Draft Fishing Regulations for Proposed NWHI Sanctuary

June 20, 2022 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will meet June 21 to 23, 2022, to discuss President Biden’s “30×30” initiative and a proposed marine national monument expansion, draft fishing regulations for the proposed Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) sanctuary and 2023 U.S. territory bigeye longline catch limits, among other topics. The meeting will be held in a hybrid format, with in-person and remote participation options available for members, and public attendance limited to web conference. The full agenda, background documents and instructions for connecting to the meeting and providing oral public comments are available at www.wpcouncil.org/event/191st-council-meeting-virtual.

Area-Based Management

The Council will review a Council Coordination Committee area-based management subcommittee report addressing the Biden Administration’s “30×30” initiative to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. The initiative has the potential to greatly impact fisheries and their management in the United States. Protections in the Western Pacific Region alone collectively correspond to 29.1% of all U.S. marine waters under fishery council purview, which is 97% of the national goal.

The Council will also discuss a proposal to expand the no-take areas of the Pacific Remote Island Marine National Monument, making it the largest marine protected area in the world. This would close waters 50 to 200 nautical miles from Howard and Baker Islands, and Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll. The Council will deliberate on potential dire consequences of the expansion, such as jeopardizing American Samoa’s economy by reducing supply of U.S.-caught fish to its cannery.

Proposed NWHI Fishing Regulations

The Council will consider action on a regulatory amendment looking at various alternatives for commercial and non-commercial, Native Hawaiian practices, and research fishing in the proposed NWHI sanctuary. At its March 2022 meeting, the Council agreed to develop fishing regulations for the proposed sanctuary, which were provided to the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries as part of the designation process.

The Council will also develop an amendment to its Hawai‘i Archipelago and Pacific Pelagic Fishery Ecosystem Plans (FEPs) to analyze fishing alternatives in parallel to the sanctuary fishing regulations. The Council may need to consider the impact of proposed regulations on the current regulatory landscape in the NWHI, including the Council’s current Magnuson-Stevens Act regulations in the area.

2023 Territory Bigeye Specifications

The Council will consider taking final action on the specification of the 2023 U.S. territorial bigeye longline limits for American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Bigeye tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) is internationally managed and assessed by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, which develops catch and effort limits for member nations. A 2020 stock assessment concluded the bigeye tuna stock in the WCPO is not overfished or experiencing overfishing. Small Island Developing States and Participating Territories (including American Samoa, Guam and the CNMI) are not subject to catch limits for bigeye tuna in consideration of their fishery development aspirations.

Through its Pacific Pelagic FEP, the Council recommends a catch limit for each U.S. territory and allows transfer of part of its catch limit through speci­fied fishing agreements to U.S.-flagged longline vessels that operate out of Hawai‘i.

The Council will also hear from its advisory bodies on the draft National Marine Fisheries Service bottomfish fisheries biological opinion. The assessment concluded bottomfish fisheries in Hawai‘i, American Samoa and the CNMI are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence or recovery of Endangered Species Act-listed species such as the oceanic whitetip shark because interactions affect less than 0.0001% of its population.

 

Western Pacific Scientists Support No Jeopardy Determination for Oceanic Whitetip Sharks Caught in Region’s Bottomfish Fisheries

June 17, 2022 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) supported part of a draft bottomfish fishery biological opinion (BiOp) that concluded fisheries in Hawai‘i, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence or recovery of oceanic whitetip (OWT) sharks. The BiOp is part of a formal consultation process that was triggered in 2018 after the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) listed the sharks as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

“We appreciate that the 3-year review rendered a no jeopardy opinion and fully concur with this conclusion,” said SSC Chair James Lynch. “No need exists for further restrictions on these fisheries.”

Bottomfish fisheries in the Western Pacific Region are small (thousands of pounds caught annually vs. millions of pounds caught in pelagic fisheries), and provide fish mainly to local markets in the four areas. OWT interactions with the bottomfish fisheries are rare, as the fishermen target fish at 300 to 1200 feet, whereas OWT sharks’ preferred habitat is in the upper 500 feet of the water column in the open ocean. The draft BiOp analyzes the potential impact of one OWT mortality every five years in each of the areas. This represents less than 0.0001% of the OWT population estimate of more than 775,000 in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. 

The draft BiOp includes a reasonable and prudent measure (RPM) that requires NMFS to monitor and report on total estimated OWT shark interactions in the bottomfish fisheries. RPMs are non-discretionary measures that are necessary and appropriate to minimize the impacts of incidental take. 

While the SSC recognized the need for improved species identification and fishery information, it found the RPM was neither reasonable nor prudent for OWT sharks. Impacts to the species are minimal, and monitoring itself does not reduce impacts of bottomfish fisheries. The SSC also recommended any monitoring of OWT interactions be integrated into existing programs, as it would not be feasible to design an independent monitoring program to detect rare events.

The draft BiOp is one of three outstanding from NMFS, with the others pertaining to the Hawai‘i deep-set longline and American Samoa longline fisheries. The Council will consider the SSC’s review, along with input from the Council’s regional Advisory Panels, at its meeting next week.

The SSC also discussed a NMFS update on the review of the agency’s Serious Injury Determination Policy. NMFS uses the policy to evaluate whether the outcome of a marine mammal interaction with a fishery is likely to lead to a mortality of the animal, such as in the case of false killer whales (FKWs) that may be accidentally hooked and released alive in the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery. 

The SSC recommended that NMFS consider hook type as key information in determining whether an interaction outcome will be categorized as a “serious injury,” which is defined as any injury that likely results in mortality. Under the existing policy, location of hooking and amount of trailing gear left on the animal are some of the information used to determine the degree of injury, but not hook type. 

The Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery has been required to use “weak” circle hooks since 2013 that are intended to straighten to facilitate FKWs to escape without trailing gear. In general, the shape of the circle hooks makes it more likely for the animal to become hooked along the edge of the mouth rather than internally. 

Lip-hookings are considered less detrimental to the animal than hooks in the jaw or ones that are swallowed. In 2021, six out of the 15 FKW interactions recorded by federal observers onboard the Hawai‘i deep-set longline vessels had the hook or the crimp immediately above the hook visible around the mouth. However, out of the six, five were categorized under the existing policy as a serious injury.

NMFS’s proposed revision of the Serious Injury Determination Policy is expected to be made available for public comment during summer 2022.

 

Scientists Advise Fishery Management Council on Area-Based Management and Development of a University of Hawaii Fisheries Program

June 16, 2022 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee discussed a report written by the area-based management subcommittee of the Council Coordination Committee (CCC) to address the Biden Administration’s America the Beautiful initiative. The initiative’s goal is to “conserve” 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. The purpose of the report was to take inventory of existing managed areas in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) relative to the 30×30 initiative and discuss pros and cons of area-based management.

The subcommittee developed a draft definition of conservation areas to identify qualifying regions since none exists elsewhere. The Western Pacific Region (WPR) is the largest managed ocean area (~1.7 million square nautical miles) in the United States, and more than 60% of its waters (1,032,825 nm2) meet the America the Beautiful criteria. The WPR alone already meets 29% of the initiative’s goal.

The Pacific Remote Islands Coalition recently proposed to expand no-take areas of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument to the entire U.S. EEZ, making it the largest marine protected area in the world. 

The SSC noted it doesn’t make sense scientifically, doesn’t protect diverse habitats and creates unbalanced regional representation, leading to strong socioeconomic impacts and undermining biodiversity goals.

The SSC suggested the Council request a comprehensive evaluation of the unintended consequences of the proposed expansion and that any measures be evaluated through a transparent and public process prior to implementation. SSC members clarified unintended consequences of the expansion range from displacement of U.S. fisheries by competing foreign fisheries to reduced supply of U.S.-caught fish to the American Samoa cannery.

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The SSC also discussed the development of a University of Hawai‘i (UH) Fisheries Program, which may be based on a Coastal and Marine Resources graduate program approved (but not enacted) in 2005. Fisheries play a large role in the culture, food security, and economic development of the WPR. A fisheries education program is needed to build capacity for employment and professional development in Hawai‘i and the U.S. Pacific Territories. Academic and professional development infrastructure is lacking outside of the continental United States. 

SSC members expressed support for the program and noted Council staff will contact faculty and administrators at UH to express support and assistance. The SSC recommended revisiting this issue at its September 2022 meeting.

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The SSC heard an update on Equity and Environmental Justice (EEJ) activities in the WPR, including a CCC working group report (https://tinyurl.com/EEJReport) that defines EEJ issues within a U.S. fisheries management context, and a WPR EEJ in Fisheries Management workshop. The workshop included discussion on the Council’s impact and contributions in advancing EEJ for WPR fisheries. Participants provided insights into how the Council can leverage several tools—fund, implement, empower, and advocate—to effect change.

The SSC also discussed the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) draft EEJ strategy, which identified barriers to EEJ and how the agency plans to address issues in underserved communities. This will lead to step-down implementation plans at the regional level to create a framework to incorporate EEJ into NMFS’ daily activities. SSC members highlighted the importance of inclusive governance and noted several barriers, including system complexity, overuse of jargon, and the public’s negative attitude and distrust of the process.

 

Western Pacific Scientists Discuss 2021 Fishery Reports and Bottomfish Fishery Management Changes

June 15, 2022 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) at its meeting today discussed highlights from the 2021 Annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Reports. The reports cover the performance of Council-managed fisheries in Hawai‘i, American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and pelagic fisheries in the Pacific region.

Fishery performance for pelagic fishers generally increased in each of the regions. Tunas dominated the catches and increased in all four areas relative to 2020. These increases were driven by bigeye and yellowfin in Hawai‘i, South Pacific albacore and yellowfin in American Samoa, and skipjack and yellowfin in the Mariana Archipelago.

Island fishery performance was mixed among the four regions. CNMI’s bottomfish fishery had a substantial increase in annual catch to 74,885 pounds, likely due to an increase in fishing effort. Similarly, Guam’s bottomfish fishery also had an increase in catch to 54,221 pounds – among the highest in three decades of available data. The Deep-7 bottomfish complex in Hawai‘i had a slight increase in trips and catches driven by onaga and ehu, and annual catch and revenue of uku also increased.

However, SSC members noted the large decline in American Samoa bottomfish catch down to 2,215 pounds in 2021. “Unfortunately, this does reflect the reality of the situation,” said Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources Fisheries Biologist Domingo Ochavillo. COVID-19-related issues affected bottomfish fishermen in the territory such as vendors not buying due to increased prices, loss of crew to Apia, Samoa, and pelagic and imported bottomfish being cheaper in the market.

Fishermen observations in the SAFE reports emphasize the importance of considering “on-the-water” information. In 2021, fishers across the region noted many new entrants to fisheries may have negatively impacted fishery performance data. Fishers continued to adapt to impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, including a decrease in market demand and high fishing expenses. Some fishers reported selling their catch through other channels such as roadside vendors.

The Archipelagic and Pelagic Plan Teams recommended improving annual reports by reviewing and revising bycatch reporting tables, and generating a territorial non-commercial fisheries section.

Highlights from the SAFE Reports can be found here: www.wpcouncil.org/status-of-the-fisheries-2020-21.

CNMI Bottomfish Management Unit Species Analysis

The SSC endorsed changes to the CNMI bottomfish management unit species (BMUS) complex. Giant ehu (Etelis boweni) and blue-lined gindai (Pristipomoides argyrogrammicus) were added to the CNMI Fishery Ecosystem Plan and other species were recommended to include in a territory fishery management plan (FMP).

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center completed analyses of CNMI creel survey data to support revising the BMUS complex. The analysis grouped species caught together. Federal management plans will include 10 deep-water species and the territory FMP will include five primarily shallow-water species.

The Council’s original Bottomfish FMP for the Western Pacific Region listed 20 fish species that dominated the landings, which included both shallow- and deep-water species. The BMUS were grouped into a single bottomfish complex. The territory’s bottomfish fisheries have evolved over time with the rise and fall of large vessel fleets and various sporadic fishery development projects. Current bottomfish fisheries consist of small boats undertaking single-day trips with a low number of participants targeting both coral reef fish and deep-water snappers using the same pole-and-line gear.

The SSC meeting continues tomorrow with discussions on false killer whale interactions and depredation, area-based management and deep-sea mining.

Scientists to Discuss 2021 Fishery Status, Protected Species Studies and Deep-Sea Mining in the Western Pacific

June 10, 2022 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Scientists across the Western Pacific Region will meet June 14 to 16, 2022, to provide advice and comments to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council on the 2021 fishery status reports, Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultations, a false killer whale (FKW) analysis, deep-sea mining and other topics. The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting will be held in a hybrid format, with in-person and remote participation options available for members, and public attendance limited to web conference. The full agenda, background documents and instructions for connecting to the meeting and providing oral public comments are available at www.wpcouncil.org/event/144th-scientific-and-statistical-committee-virtual-meeting. 

2021 Annual SAFE Reports

The SSC will discuss highlights from the 2021 Annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Reports covering the performance of Council-managed fisheries and ecosystem considerations that potentially drive fishery dynamics. The reports include impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions on the fisheries and data collection. For example, total ex-vessel venue for Hawai‘i pelagic commercial fisheries decreased 22% to $83.4 million in 2020, before rebounding 49% to $124.4 million in 2021. The reports also incorporate fishermen observations that provide a qualitative description of the fisheries and fishery environment. 

ESA Section 7 Consultations

The SSC will review a draft bottomfish fishery biological opinion recently released by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for the Hawai‘i, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands and Guam fisheries. This is part of an ongoing ESA formal consultation process reinitiated in 2019. The ESA requires federal agencies to ensure the fisheries do not jeopardize the continued existence of ESA-listed species. In this case, those species are oceanic whitetip sharks, giant manta rays and chambered nautilus, and designated critical habitat for false killer whales in the main Hawaiian Islands. Interactions with ESA-listed species in these bottomfish fisheries are rare, and the draft biological opinion found that these fisheries have minimal impacts on listed species. The assessment addresses reproduction, and population numbers and distribution.

FKW Analysis

The SSC will discuss its input for an ongoing PIFSC analysis of FKW interaction and depredation patterns. The analysis is being conducted due to a Council recommendation from the March 2022 meeting to inform further Council discussion on managing FKW interactions in the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery. PIFSC has applied a model to explore FKW interactions and marine mammal-recorded depredation events using historical data from the NMFS Observer Program. The full analysis, anticipated to be completed before the September SSC meeting, will include estimates of economic impacts from depredation and the effect of Southern Exclusion Zone closures on fishing effort and FKW interactions.

Deep-Sea Mining

The SSC will hear updates on deep-sea mining activities in the Pacific, particularly those to extract manganese nodules and cobalt, which are used for batteries in modern electronic devices and vehicles. In the Pacific, more than one million square kilometers have been included in claims for deep-sea prospecting. The ecological impacts of these growing ocean industries on fishing and potential interactions with fishing activities remain to be fully explained. An integrated web portal and map called Deep Sea Mining Watch is available for the public to see ongoing activities: https://deepseaminingwatch.msi.ucsb.edu.

Recommendations made by the SSC on these and other matters will be considered by the Council when it meets June 21-23, 2022, in the same hybrid format as the SSC meeting. Instructions on connecting to the web conference, agendas and briefing documents are posted at www.wpcouncil.org/event/191st-council-meeting-virtual. 

 

NOAA seeks input on Gulf of Mexico aquaculture sites, including 3 off Florida

June 6, 2022 — When a Hawaii-based aquaculture business proposed a demonstration fish farm project in federal waters off of Sarasota County in 2019, residents along the Gulf Coast voiced concerns about potential environmental impacts — including its potential to exacerbate red tide blooms.

Now, the federal government is considering allowing commercial aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico — including areas offshore of Collier, Sarasota and Pinellas counties — and is seeking public input as it crafts an assessment of impacts from the sites.

The first of three virtual public meetings on the proposal is scheduled for June 8. Written comments will be accepted through Aug. 1.

Read the full story at the Sarasota Herald-Tribute

 

Hawaii longliners convert gear to reduce whitetip shark bycatch

May 27, 2022 — Hawaii’s deep-set longline fleet is completing its changeover from wire leaders to nylon monofilament, a process that fishermen started on their own and is expected to reduce bycatch and mortality of threatened oceanic whitetip sharks by 30 percent.

A new federal regulation effective May 31 will prohibit the use of wire leaders in the fishery, formally instituting the industry-led initiative.

Wire leaders have been used so hooked fish can’t break off, and to make gear safer for fishermen. But even the sharp-toothed oceanic whitetip sharks can’t bite through them, meaning fishermen must release them, a dangerous process for both fish and fishermen.

The Hawaii Longline Association, representing tuna longline fishermen in the area, took the initiative to stop using wire leaders when deep-set longline fishing when its members voluntarily phased out wire leaders starting in November 2020, according to HLA Executive Director Eric Kingma.

“Our members—which include all of the Hawaii-based longline fleet of around 145 vessels—don’t want to catch sharks,” Kingma said in a joint statement with NMFS. “While the amount of fishing effort by Hawaii vessels is small compared with foreign fleets, we continue to work with our members and researchers on innovative methods to minimize the impacts of our fishery on these sharks and other protected species.”

Read the full story at National Fisherman