Saving Seafood

Wespac moves toward reopening Pacific monument to commercial fishing

October 6, 2025 — The prospects of opening up Hawaii’s protected marine monument to commercial fishing has moved a step closer to reality.

Members of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, or Wespac, voted Sept. 17 to move toward allowing commercial fishing within four marine national monuments, including Papahanau ­mokuakea and the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument.

The decision followed testimony in strong opposition from Native Hawaiian leaders, scientists and environmental advocates.

Read the full article at The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

WPRFMC votes to reopen fishing in parts of marine monuments after Trump order

September 19, 2025 — The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC) has decided to move forward with allowing commercial fishing within marine national monuments in the Pacific Ocean.

In a press release, the council said it is reopening the four marine national monuments in its management area – the Pacific Islands Heritage, Rose Atoll, Mariana Trench, and Papahānaumokuākea Marine national monuments. U.S. President Donald Trump directed much of those areas to reopen to fishing in a sweeping proclamation issued in April 2025 designed to benefit the U.S. seafood industry.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource 

Federal regulators vote in favor of President Trump’s push for commercial fishing in marine monuments

September 17, 2025 — On Tuesday, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council voted to advance President Donald Trump’s executive order to allow commercial fishing inside the Papahanaumokuakea and Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monuments.

The decision came after dozens of Native Hawaiians, fishers, and scientists voiced opposition, including former Department of Hawaiian Home Lands director William Aila Jr.

“Great disappointment. It just means that extractive, industrial fishing takes precedent over the sacredness of Papahanaumokuakea,” Aila said. “This area has been pristine for many, many years, and the fisheries have regained their vitality. So, we would prefer to keep those areas closed off to fishing because that is our insurance policy for future generations.”

The council also voted to set limits on fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, which encompasses 490,000 square miles southwest of Hawaii.

Read the full article at Hawaii News Now