Saving Seafood

USCG Intercepts Illegal Fishing Vessels Off Guam and Hawaii

February 27, 2020 — For the first time in eight years, the U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted illegal fishing vessels within American EEZ areas in the Central and Western Pacific. Fishing boat interdiction is a common task for the Coast Guard off the coast of Texas, where Mexican “lancha” fishing boats are routinely intercepted in U.S. waters, but IUU fishing by foreign vessels is almost unheard of in America’s far-flung Pacific Ocean EEZ regions.

“While we’ve seen incursions into the EEZs of partners and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing on the high seas, these are the first interdictions we’ve had in the U.S. EEZ since 2012,” said Lt. Jason Holstead of the Coast Guard’s 14th District, which is responsible for most of the Pacific from Hawaii west. “The combination of partnerships, electronic methods, and putting assets on the scene to catch violators in the act is essential to deterring IUU fishing in Oceania.”

In both cases, the Coast Guard was conducting surveillance flights in the zones off Guam and Hawaii with HC-130 aircraft crews based near Pearl Harbor. Case packages for the intercepts were forwarded to the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement for further action, and the investigations are pending.

Read the full story at The Maritime Executive

Fisheries of the U.S. 2018 Report: West Coast, Hawaii Generally Stable with a Few Exceptions

February 26, 2020 — Rockfish landings and values are up, squid landings are down on the West Coast. Sablefish prices have dropped, following an increase in landings on the West Coast and Alaska. Hawaii’s total value for seafood products is up, even though lower volumes of fish are being harvested.

Such are just some of the data included for the Pacific Coast in NMFS’ Fisheries of the United States, 2018, report that was released Friday. The report combines data from Alaska and the West Coast—and sometimes Hawaii, too—into the larger Pacific Coast, but a few of the tables and information reveal clues that tell their own stories or trends specific to smaller areas or individual fisheries.

Read the full story at Seafood News

Rep. Huffman Hears From Diverse Groups on Federal Fisheries Management

February 24, 2020 — The following was released by The Office of Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA):

In the span of one week, Representative Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), Chair of the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee, received feedback on federal fisheries management policy from stakeholders in both the South Atlantic and Western Pacific regions during the latest stops on his nationwide listening tour.

During the listening sessions in Miami and Honolulu Representative Huffman heard from industry stakeholders, advocates, scientists, and members of the public, who gave feedback on the current state of fisheries management under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and what they hope to see in future federal fisheries policy. Representative Ed Case (HI-01), member of the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee, moderated the Hawai’i discussion, with Chairman Huffman joining remotely.
 
“Throughout my listening tour, one thing has been clear: protecting the ocean’s resources and maintaining solid fisheries management is vital to coastal communities and economies. And what I’m hearing is that the Magnuson Stevens Act has been successful  Having the chance to hear from stakeholders across the country has proved invaluable in ensuring that any updates we make to the law are as strong as possible and grounded in addressing the challenges that stakeholders around the country are facing now and in the future,” said Rep. Huffman. 
 
Rep. Huffman’s goal for this listening tour is to assess whether improvements to the Magnuson-Stevens Act are needed and if so, what they should be. More information, a public comment page, and the full press release for this tour can be found on our website here.
 
Videos from the listening sessions can be accessed through Representative Huffman’s Facebook page here.

NOAA concerned with parasite that kills monk seals that’s spread by cat feces

February 21, 2020 — Toxoplasmosis, a parasite found in cat-feces is threatening the survival of Hawaiian Monk Seals. It’s deadly and it works quickly. According to scientists with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, it can kill within 48 hours. It’s listed as one of the top three threats against the endangered species.

Dating back to the 90’s, NOAA reports at least 12 seals have died because of Toxoplasmosis. There’s no exact count because not every corpse has been recovered.

“That doesn’t sound like a very high number but when there’s only 250 to 300 animals in the population that are being impacted by this, it’s significant,” Charles Littnan, Protected Species Division Director, NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, said.

It spreads when cat feces are washed into the ocean, contaminating the water. One seal was killed last month. Another, Pohaku, is recovering after a bystander spotted her logging or floating in the water.

Read the full story at KITV

Reps. Huffman, Case Announce Honolulu as Next Stop on Congressional Fisheries Listening Tour

February 20, 2020 — The following was released by The Office of Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA):

Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) Chair of the House Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife, and Congressman Ed Case (D-Honolulu) will be hosting the next stop on a nationwide fisheries listening tour TOMORROW, Friday, February 21, at 10:00 a.m. HST in Honolulu, Hawaii. Congressman Case will moderate this discussion on federal fisheries policy in the context of the Western Pacific fishery management region, with Chairman Huffman joining remotely.

Members of the press interested in attending should submit their RSVP to Nestor Garcia with Congressman Case’s office at nestor.garcia@mail.house.gov.

WHO:            Congressman Ed Case, Congressman Jared Huffman (will appear via video conference), fisheries and oceans experts

WHAT:          Discussion on federal fisheries management

WHEN:          Friday, February 21, 2020 @ 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. HST

WHERE:       The Atherton Hālau in the Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, HI, 96817

The forum will be live-streamed via ‘Ōlelo Community Television Channel 53 and on their web sitewww.olelo.org/tune-in.  The direct link to share can be found here: https://olelo.granicus.com/player/camera/11?publish_id=89. It will be viewable to anyone with an internet connection. Please credit ‘Ōlelo Community Media for use of the video.

Congressional Fisheries Listening Tour: 2/11 LIVE Honolulu

  • 2/21/2020    10:00 AM    OLELO 53 LIVE
  • 3/11/2020     7:30 PM      OLELO 49
  • 3/15/2020   10:00 PM      OLELO 49
  • 3/16/2020     8:00 AM     OLELO 49
  • 3/17/2020     1:30 PM      OLELO 49

This panel discussion with experts and stakeholders will include a detailed, technical examination of current and future challenges in federal fisheries management and will explore potential solutions. Guests will be able to ask questions during the roundtable and provide public comments at its conclusion.

The ideas Huffman receives from this listening tour, and from other stakeholder outreach that is already underway, will inform his introduction of a reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the primary law governing fisheries management in U.S. federal waters.

More detail on Huffman’s listening tour, which was first announced in July, can be found here.

Reps. Huffman, Case Announce Honolulu as Next Stop on Congressional Fisheries Listening Tour

February 13, 2020 — The following was released by The Office of Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA):

Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) Chair of the House Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife, and Congressman Ed Case (D-Honolulu) will be hosting the next stop on a nationwide fisheries listening tour Friday, February 21, at 10:00 a.m. HST in Honolulu, Hawaii. Congressman Case will moderate this discussion on federal fisheries policy in the context of the Western Pacific fishery management region, with Chairman Huffman joining remotely.

Members of the press interested in attending should submit their RSVP to Nestor Garcia with Congressman Case’s office at nestor.garcia@mail.house.gov.

WHO: Congressman Ed Case, Congressman Jared Huffman (will appear via video conference), fisheries and oceans experts

WHAT: Discussion on federal fisheries management

WHEN: Friday, February 21, 2020 @ 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. HST

WHERE: The Atherton Hālau in the Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, HI, 96817

This panel discussion with experts and stakeholders will include a detailed, technical examination of current and future challenges in federal fisheries management and will explore potential solutions. Guests will be able to ask questions during the roundtable and provide public comments at its conclusion.

The ideas Huffman receives from this listening tour, and from other stakeholder outreach that is already underway, will inform his introduction of a reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the primary law governing fisheries management in U.S. federal waters.

More detail on Huffman’s listening tour, which was first announced in July, can be found here.

NOAA to bring new research ship to Hawaii with $200M in federal funding

February 12, 2020 — A new ocean research ship is heading to Hawaii after more than $200 million in federal funding has been secured for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, according to U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz.

NOAA announced Tuesday that it is acquiring two new ocean research ships, one of which will be homeported in Honolulu. The Oceanographer is expected to replace NOAA Ship Hiialakai, which retired early due to extensive corrosion.

The new ships will continue to support NOAA’s missions of ocean research, marine life exploration, and climate and ocean ecosystem studies.

“These new ships will make sure NOAA can continue to do the critical research work we need to protect our oceans and Hawaii’s natural resources, including Papahanaumokuakea,” said Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Read the full story at the Honolulu Star Advertiser

Offshore aquaculture firm, formerly known as Kampachi Farms, rebrands as Ocean Era

February 10, 2020 — The Kona, Hawaii, U.S.A.-based offshore aquaculture company formerly known as Kampachi Farms, LLC, is rebranding as Ocean Era, LLC, the firm announced on 10 February.

The move is intended to position the company to better address both opportunities and challenges facing modern aquaculturists and the planet at large, according to Neil Anthony Sims, the firm’s co-founder and CEO.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Summary of Action Items for the 181st Meeting of the WPRFMC

February 7, 2020 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The 181st meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will convene March 10-12, 2020, at the Laniakea YWCA, Fuller Hall, Honolulu, Hawai’i. The Council will consider and may take action on the issues summarized below, including any public comments on them. Click here for a complete PDF version of the 181st Action Item Summary Memo.

  1. Specifying Annual Catch Limits for the Mariana Archipelago Bottomfish Fishery
  2. Options Paper to Amend the Bottomfish Management Unit Species in American Samoa and the Mariana Archipelago
  3. US Territory Longline Bigeye Catch/Allocation Limits
  4. Marine Conservation Plans for Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Pacific Remote Island Areas/Hawai’i

Written public comments should be received by the Council’s executive director by 5 p.m. (Hawai’i time), Thursday, March 5, 2020, by postal mail, fax or email as indicated below. After March 5, it is the submitter’s responsibility to provide at least 40 copies of the written comment to Council staff at the Council meeting.

Read the full release here

2020 Public Scoping on Hawaiʻi Pelagic Small-Boat Fisheries

January 31, 2020 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will hold public scoping meetings on Hawai‘i’s pelagic small-boat fisheries from Feb. 4 to 13 throughout the Hawaiian Islands. If you fish more than 3 miles offshore (i.e., beyond state waters) for open-water species (e.g., not bottomfish) and use any gear/method besides longlines, these meetings should be of interest to you.

Public scoping meetings provide fishermen and other interested members of the public an opportunity to bring to the Council’s attention those issues important to the management of their fisheries. The Council is currently assessing the effectiveness of the monitoring for the Hawai‘i pelagic small-boat fisheries. Data collected is used to develop annual reports on the performance of the fisheries and the status of the fish stocks that they catch. The Council uses these reports to determine management measures, research needs and fishery development projects to support. The meetings will provide more in-depth details on the process and provide an opportunity for you to give oral or written comments on your thoughts about issues regarding Hawai’i’s pelagic small-boat fisheries and management of them.

A summary report of the meetings will be provided to the Council at its 181st meeting on March 9-12, 2020, in Honolulu, where the Council may make recommendations for management as needed.

For the public scoping meeting schedule, see below or click here for the flyer. Additional information will be posted on the Council’s website at www.wpcouncil.org/hawaiismallboatfishery, so please check there for scoping materials. If you have questions, contact the Council at (808) 522-8220 or email info@wpcouncil.org.

Come be a part of the decision-making process for your fisheries!