Saving Seafood

Council advances fishing access discussions in Pacific marine monuments

September 16, 2026 — The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council advanced discussions Tuesday on potential fishing access in Pacific marine national monuments, while deferring action on several proposed fishing regulations as additional discussion will take place.

The council deferred action on fishing regulations for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) and Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Sanctuary, as well as Hawaii and American Samoa longline sea turtle measures, until Wednesday, Sept. 16.

During the meeting, a key point discussed was that removing a monument-based fishing prohibition or an individual regulatory requirement would not eliminate other federal fishery regulations. Fisheries would still be subject to applicable requirements involving permits, reporting, catch limits, fishing gear, monitoring and protected species.

Read the full article at Island News Council

HAWAII: Experimental fishing eyed as Northwestern Hawaiian Islands reopen

September 16, 2026 — Commercial fishing in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands could resume under an experimental approach as federal fishery managers consider how to regulate fishing in waters largely closed to the industry since 2010.

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will meet Sept. 15-17 to consider regulations for the reopened Northwestern Hawaiian Islands fishery, along with potential changes affecting Hawai‘i and American Samoa longline fleets, according to two Council releases published by Saving Seafood.

Ahead of the meeting, the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee recommended a deliberate approach to reopening the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands bottomfish fishery. Before its closure, the area accounted for about half of Hawai‘i’s bottomfish management unit species landings.

Read the full article at National Fisherman

Council Advances Fishing Access, Reviews Key Regulations

September 16, 2026 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council today advanced actions on fishing access in Pacific marine national monuments and reviews of Hawai‘i longline and American Samoa bottomfish regulations. The Council deferred action on fishing regulations for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) and Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary (NMS), and Hawai‘i and American Samoa longline sea turtle measures, until Wednesday to allow additional discussion.

A recurring theme was that removing a monument-based prohibition or an individual regulatory requirement does not remove the broader suite of federal fishery regulations. Fisheries remain subject to applicable requirements for permits, reporting, catch limits, gear, monitoring and protected species.

The actions follow Presidential Proclamation 11035, “Restoring American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific,” and Executive Order 14276, “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.”

Fishing in Marine National Monuments and the Sanctuary
The Council discussed next steps for managing fisheries in the NWHI once monument-based commercial fishing prohibitions are removed, including how existing Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), monument and sanctuary requirements would work together. Members discussed the existing federal fishery regulations, potential costs and administrative needs of reopening fisheries, and the information needed to support sustainable management.

“Operating costs are a major consideration,” explained Council staff Mark Mitsuyasu. “We’re looking at who currently has the vessels, experience and capacity to participate, as well as costs such as crew, fuel and ice.” He added that about 80% of the historically fishable NWHI bottomfish area is in federal waters.

“This area is so large,” said Eric Kingma, Council member and Hawaii Longline Association executive director. “There are areas of the NWHI the Hawai‘i longline fleet would not go to — it’s just too far. There are more scientifically based approaches to manage the area while meeting protection objectives, conservation objectives, as well as supporting people’s livelihoods and Hawai‘i’s food security.”

The Council also discussed a request from NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries for the Council to consider fishing regulations for the Papahānaumokuākea NMS.

Members expressed frustration that Office of National Marine Sanctuaries staff did not participate in the meeting and was unavailable to answer questions about the agency’s request. Council Vice Chair Will Sword called their absence “very disconcerting.” NMFS Regional Administrator Sarah Malloy said the agency could address some questions but might be unable to answer detailed questions about sanctuary policies and processes.

Around Muliāva (Rose Atoll), overlapping monument and American Samoa Large Vessel Prohibited Area (LVPA) regulations have created confusion over which restrictions apply. The Council clarified that large vessels with American Samoa longline limited-entry permits would be allowed to fish from 12 to 50 nautical miles once NMFS removes monument-based commercial fishing prohibitions under Proclamation 11035. The Council endorsed NMFS regulatory housekeeping to make that access clear in federal regulations.

Council Chair Nathan Ilaoa noted that conditions have changed substantially since the LVPA was established in 2002, when more than 20 larger longline vessels and more than 40 smaller alia longline vessels were operating. In 2025, only six American Samoa-owned larger longline vessels were active, and no alia longline vessels have operated since 2020.

“We’re talking about a small local fleet, the South Pacific albacore stock is healthy and existing protections remain in place,” Ilaoa said. “If conditions change again, we can take additional action.”

The clarification applies only to large vessels in the American Samoa longline limited-entry program. Waters within 12 nautical miles of Muliāva remain closed to fishing.

For the Islands Unit of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, the Council will work with the Northern Islands Mayor’s Office to review existing MSA regulations and consider whether future management changes are necessary or appropriate for the conservation and long-term health and stability of Northern Island fisheries and monument resources.

Hawai‘i Swordfish Retention Limit
The Council reviewed the Hawai‘i deep-set longline swordfish retention limit for final action at its December 2026 meeting. Current rules cap unobserved deep-set trips at 25 swordfish with circle hooks and 10 with other hook types, while observed trips have no limit. The analysis will also examine sea turtle interactions in relation to swordfish catch rates and seasonality.

The limit was originally intended to discourage vessels switching from deep-set tuna to shallow-set swordfish fishing. Regulations prohibit at-sea gear switching, require vessels to declare their fishing method before departure and mandate circle hooks; the fleet is also moving toward electronic monitoring. Any change to the retention limit would leave other permitting, reporting, monitoring and protected species requirements in place.

During discussion, Kingma suggested looking more closely at the relatively few trips that approached or exceeded the 25-swordfish limit to see whether sea turtle interaction rates differed. He also recommended examining seasonal catch patterns, particularly during April and May when deep-set swordfish catches can increase.

The Council also recommended single-species annual catch limits for nine assessed American Samoa bottomfish management unit species for fishing years 2027–2030, based on analyses that account for scientific and management uncertainty. Together, the nine ACLs total 50,200 pounds per fishing year. All recent catches are well below these limits. Final action is planned for the December Council meeting.

The 208th Council meeting continues through Sept. 17, 2026.

How to Join
📍 In Person: (Host Sites)
Council Office, 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, Hawaii
Cliff Pointe, 304 W. O’Brien Drive, Hagatna, Guam
BRI Building Suite 205, Kopa Di Oru St. Garapan, Saipan, CNMI
💻 Online: Via Webex: https://tinyurl.com/208CouncilMtg, Event password: CM208mtg
📜 Agenda & Documents: www.wpcouncil.org/event/208th-council-meeting

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council: Secretary of Commerce appointees from nominees selected by American Samoa, the CNMI, Guam and Hawai‘i governors: Roger Dang, Fresh Island Fish Co. (Hawai‘i) (vice chair); Edgar Feliciano, Feli Fisheries Inc. (American Samoa); Eric Kingma, Hawaii Longline Association (Hawai‘i); Frank Perez, AC Sales and Service, (Guam); Matt Ramsey, Conservation International (Hawai‘i); Jesse Rosario, fisherman (Guam); and Will Sword, American Samoa Power Authority (American Samoa) (vice chair). Designated state officials: Ryan Kanaka‘ole, Hawai‘i Dept. of Land & Natural Resources; Sylvan Igisomar, CNMI Dept. of Lands & Natural Resources (vice chair); Nathan Ilaoa, American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources (chair); and Chelsa Muña, Guam Dept. of Agriculture (vice chair). Designated federal officials (voting): Sarah Malloy, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office. Designated federal officials (nonvoting): RADM Wayne Arguin Jr., U.S. Coast Guard Oceania District; Jeremy Raynal, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Rachel Ryan, U.S. State Dept.; and Barry Thom, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Western Pacific Scientists to Review Fishing Rules and Bottomfish Catch

September 5, 2026 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Where can large fishing vessels operate around American Samoa? How much bottomfish can be sustainably caught there in the coming years? What science will guide the future of fishing in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands?

These are some of the questions the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will discuss Sept. 8–10, 2026, in Honolulu. The public can attend in person or online to hear how scientists review the information behind upcoming Council decisions affecting fisheries in Hawai‘i and American Samoa.

Agenda Highlights
Fishing Rules in American Samoa and the NWHI
The SSC will review possible changes to the American Samoa Large Vessel Prohibited Area around Rose Atoll and existing fishing rules in the NWHI.

For American Samoa, the discussion will focus on whether and how fishing access for larger vessels should change around Rose Atoll. The LVPA was established to reduce competition between large longline vessels and smaller-scale alia vessels. For the NWHI, the SSC will look at whether existing bottomfish and pelagic fishing rules still make sense today and what additional information may be needed. The committee may recommend options or identify science needed before the Council acts.

American Samoa Bottomfish Catch
The SSC will consider an acceptable biological catch (ABC) for American Samoa bottomfish for 2027–2030. A 2026 stock assessment update found that the fishery is not overfished and is not experiencing overfishing. The ABC is the SSC’s science-based recommendation for how much can be caught sustainably, accounting for scientific uncertainty. The Council then considers management uncertainty and other factors when setting the annual catch limit, which may be lower than the ABC.

Main Hawaiian Islands Deep-Seven Bottomfish
The SSC will also help set up the independent scientific review of an updated main Hawaiian Islands deep-seven bottomfish stock assessment expected later this year. The committee will review the terms of reference for the Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review and may nominate scientists to serve on the review panel. This process helps ensure the science used in future fishery decisions is sound and thoroughly reviewed.

What Science Is Needed for Upcoming Management Decisions?
The SSC will also identify research, monitoring and analysis needed to meet Magnuson-Stevens Act requirements and address emerging fishery management needs and priorities.

These include future management of areas recently reopened to commercial fishing, as well as developing pelagic fishery actions identified under the federal Executive Order on “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.” Potential changes aimed at reducing regulatory burdens on domestic fishing include revisions to sea turtle measures in the Hawai‘i shallow-set and American Samoa longline fisheries and to the swordfish retention limit in the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery.

The SSC will also rank regional research priorities to help focus future scientific work on the questions that matter most for fishery management.

How to Join
In-Person: Council Office, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI
Online: Via Webex: https://tinyurl.com/161SSCMtg, Event password: SSC161mtg
Get the Full Agenda & Documents: www.wpcouncil.org/event/161st-scientific-and-statistical-committee-meeting

The SSC provides advice to the Council, which will meet virtually Sept. 15-17, 2026, with host sites in Hawai‘i, American Samoa, Guam and the CNMI. More information is available at www.wpcouncil.org/event/208th-council-meeting.

Scientific and Statistical Committee: James Lynch (chair); Debra Cabrera (University of Guam); Frank Camacho (University of Guam); Courtney Carothers (University of Alaska Fairbanks); Milani Chaloupka (University of Queensland); Cathy Dichmont (Cathy Dichmont Consulting); Erik Franklin (University of Hawai‘i); Shelton Harley (Fisheries Consultant); Jason Helyer (Hawai‘i Div. of Aquatic Resources); Ray Hilborn (University of Washington); Alister Hunt (Finology); Dave Itano (Fisheries Consultant); Keena Leon Guerrero (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Div. of Fish & Wildlife); Domingo Ochavillo (American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources); Graham Pilling (The Pacific Community); Jim Roberts (Anemone Consulting); Justin Suca (University of Hawai‘i); Robin Waples (University of Washington); Charles Littnan (ex-officio) (National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center).

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council: Secretary of Commerce appointees from nominees selected by American Samoa, the CNMI, Guam and Hawai‘i governors: Roger Dang, Fresh Island Fish Co. (Hawai‘i) (vice chair); Edgar Feliciano, Feli Fisheries Inc. (American Samoa); Eric Kingma, Hawaii Longline Association (Hawai‘i); Frank Perez, AC Sales and Service, (Guam); Matt Ramsey, Conservation International (Hawai‘i); Jesse Rosario, fisherman (Guam); and Will Sword, American Samoa Power Authority (American Samoa) (vice chair). Designated state officials: Ryan Kanaka‘ole, Hawai‘i Dept. of Land & Natural Resources; Sylvan Igisomar, CNMI Dept. of Lands & Natural Resources (vice chair); Nathan Ilaoa, American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources (chair); and Chelsa Muña, Guam Dept. of Agriculture (vice chair). Designated federal officials (voting): Sarah Malloy, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office. Designated federal officials (nonvoting): RADM Wayne Arguin Jr., U.S. Coast Guard Oceania District; Jeremy Raynal, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Rachel Ryan, U.S. State Dept.; and Barry Thom, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Marine debris team completes latest Papahanaumokuakea cleanup mission

September 1, 2026 — A marine debris cleanup crew has returned to Honolulu after another mission to protect the fragile ecosystems of Papahanaumokuakea.

The Papahanaumokuakea Marine Debris Project completed its second mission of 2026 on Friday after a 21-day expedition to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

The team removed 48,680 pounds of ghost nets and other plastic marine debris from Lalo, Kamokuokamohoaliʻi, Kamole and Kapou.

The mission was temporarily paused Aug. 19 as Hurricane Lala moved through the region.

Read the full article at Hawaii News Now

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.

Federal Fishery Managers to Develop Fishing Regulations for Proposed Hawai‘i National Marine Sanctuary

March 23, 2022 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council said at its meeting today it will develop fishing regulations as part of the proposed Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) sanctuary designation. The NOAA sanctuary designation process includes a formal consultation with the regional fishery management councils on fisheries regulations at the start of the process. The Council will include options for permitting and reporting requirements for commercial (outside current monument boundaries), noncommercial, Native Hawaiian practices and research fishing within sanctuary boundaries.

Several Council members noted that since the proposed sanctuary boundaries are still undefined, the Council response and draft regulations should be kept broad. Matt Ramsey, Council member from Hawai‘i, remarked, “It’s important to have a clear understanding of what is being proposed for the sanctuary boundary. If it expands beyond the area that already restricts commercial fishing that is a completely different story.”

“I support moving ahead,” said John Gourley, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) vice chair. “We have enough areas closed to fishing and should develop fishing regulations under Magnuson-Stevens Act when allowed.”

The Council will amend its Hawai‘i Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan to analyze fishing alternatives in parallel to the sanctuary fishing regulations.

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After reviewing recent data, the Council recommended rolling over the current annual catch limits for the main Hawaiian Islands deepwater shrimp (Heterocarpus laevigatus and H. ensifer) and precious corals for fishing years 2022-2025.

The Council also requested the National Marine Fisheries Service provide information to the State of Hawai‘i legislature regarding HB 1988 that proposes to prohibit the harvest, sale, import or export of coral products. Exceptions would be allowed for noncommercial harvest or research purposes. Included in the bill’s list of species are the Council’s precious coral managed species (pink, red, bamboo and black). The language may be inconsistent with federal regulations that allow commercial harvest of precious corals, and would essentially close the sustainably managed fishery.

The Council meeting continues tomorrow with discussions on a new Pacific strategy to address international fisheries issues and implications of a false killer whale weak hook study, 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.

 

US considers creating national marine sanctuary off Hawaii

November 22, 2021 — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is considering additional protections for waters off the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

NOAA announced the proposal to designate oceanic areas of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, which is already one of the largest protected natural areas in the world, as a national marine sanctuary on Friday. The agency opened the plan to public comment through January.

The designation would build on existing protections meant to maintain marine habitats and wildlife. The new rules would apply only to oceanic areas, not the islands that are already part of the monument.

Read the full story at the AP

Protecting Paradise: Marine Debris Team Does the Heavy Lifting

The team removed more than 160,000 pounds of lost or abandoned fishing nets and plastics from the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, an ecologically and culturally significant area, part of the Papahānaumokuāea Marine National Monument.

November 12, 2018 — Stretching 1,200 miles northwest of the main Hawaiian Islands, a chain of remote islands and atolls known as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are hundreds of miles from the nearest human populations. Yet, these beautiful coral reefs and uninhabited shorelines are centrally located in the North Pacific Gyre, where currents gather marine debris from all around the Pacific Ocean.

NOAA’s marine debris team travels from island to island by ship and small boat, carefully pulling derelict “ghost” fishing gear off of underwater reefs and collecting plastic debris from shorelines. They clean up nets and other debris that damage coral reefs and threaten wildlife, including endangered Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles. Hauling debris is often a dirty, exhausting, and sometimes fly-filled task, but the team loves its work.

Read and view the full story at NOAA Fisheries