July 1, 2026 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council welcomed the appointment of Cody Norita as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands obligatory member, Eric Kingma as an at-large member representing Hawaiʻi and the reappointment of Roger Dang as an at-large member representing Hawaiʻi. Their appointments strengthen the Council’s expertise in commercial fishing, fisheries management and regional resource stewardship at a time when domestic seafood producers face increasing competition from imported seafood and foreign fishing fleets.

Hawaii Longline Association Executive Director Kingma brings decades of experience in Hawaiʻi’s commercial fishing industry and management, while Dang continues his service with extensive expertise in fishery operations, seafood distribution and fishery management. Together, they provide firsthand knowledge of seafood harvesting, processing and marketing, as well as the regulatory and economic challenges facing Hawaiʻi’s fishing industry. Their experience also provides valuable perspective on the international fisheries policies and conservation measures that influence Hawaiʻi’s fisheries and seafood markets.

Norita, CNMI assistant fire chief and U.S. Navy veteran, brings leadership in emergency management, interagency coordination and community resilience, along with firsthand experience as a pelagic fisherman. As founder of the CNMI Veterans Fishing Derby, he combines practical fishing knowledge with a strong commitment to sustainable marine resource stewardship and island communities.

“Cody has built a career on discipline and service, from the flight deck of the USS Nimitz to emergency response in the CNMI,” said Council Chair Nathan Ilaoa. “Through his work with the Veterans Fishing Derby, he’s turned that same commitment toward something just as important: connecting people back to the ocean and to each other.”

“Our commercial fishermen operate under extensive conservation, monitoring and reporting requirements, yet they continue to compete against imported seafood that often comes from fisheries operating under different standards,” said Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds. “Eric, Roger and Cody bring diverse experience in commercial fishing, international fisheries, fisheries management and public service that will strengthen the Council’s ability to address the unique opportunities and challenges facing fisheries throughout the U.S. Pacific Islands.”

The appointments come as federal fisheries policy continues to evolve. Recent actions by the Administration, including reopening portions of Pacific Marine National Monuments to commercial fishing, have renewed attention on strengthening domestic seafood production and reducing reliance on imports. NMFS estimates that approximately 80% of the seafood consumed in the United States is imported, highlighting the importance of maintaining a strong domestic fishing industry.

Federally managed fisheries throughout the U.S. Pacific Islands — including Hawaiʻi’s pelagic longline, bottomfish and other fisheries — are managed using science-based conservation measures. Fishermen comply with catch reporting, vessel monitoring, observer and electronic monitoring programs, protected species mitigation requirements and international conservation measures. In Hawaiʻi, pelagic fisheries generated nearly $120 million in commercial dockside revenue in 2025, reflecting their significant contribution to the state’s economy and locally landed seafood supply. 

The appointments take effect on August 11. Council members serve staggered three-year terms and may be reappointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to three consecutive terms.

The Council remains committed to conserving fishery resources while supporting sustainable commercial, recreational and subsistence fisheries throughout the U.S. Pacific Islands.

June 11, 2026 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

“ʻUa fetaui lelei fola o le ʻalia,” a Samoan proverb meaning “The deck planks of the voyaging canoe fit together well.” Gov. Pulaʻaliʻi Nikolao Pula of American Samoa shared this proverb during opening remarks at the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council meeting on June 9, 2026. The governor related it to the work of the Council. Just as the ancestors of the Pacific Islands crossed great oceans, no single plank carries the canoe alone. The Council, composed of members from American Samoa, Hawaiʻi, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, brings together its cultures, knowledge and traditions to make collective decisions that shape fisheries policy across the region.

 Gov. Pula stressed the importance of the tuna industry to American Samoa and that the Council’s decisions on tuna management will have significant impacts on the territory. The need to be fairly recognized in the upcoming allocation of South Pacific albacore tuna was made clear. “American Samoa has a long history in this fishery, and an economic dependence on it,” he said. “We need to sustain a truly domestic tuna fishery for generations to come.”

 In response to the governor’s concerns, the Council recommended that the National Marine Fisheries Service develop a conservation and management measure to provide American Samoa with an allocation of South Pacific albacore. The allocation should be transferable to provide funding for fisheries development in the territory. The Council also recommended exploring additional funding mechanisms to ensure fisheries can continue to support American Samoa and the broader Western Pacific region.

 Gov. Pula also honored the Council’s Executive Director, Seutaʻatia Kitty Simonds, with a Sua Faʻatamaliʻi, or chiefly offering, for her service to the territory. Aunuʻu High Talking Chief Mago likened Seutaʻatia’s return to American Samoa to the toloa, or gray duck (Anas superciliosa), seen only in Aunuʻu, where the Seuta’atia title originates, saying, “E lele le toloa ae maʻau i le vai,” or “The toloa bird flies far, but always returns home to the water.” Much like the toloa instinctively returns to familiar waters, Seutaʻatia has returned to Aunuʻu over the years — a testament to her commitment to listen to the voices of the people about their critical fishery issues and on the health and well-being of the community.

Seutaʻatia was deeply touched and expressed her gratitude to the governor and the people of American Samoa. “This was a wonderful surprise and I hope I have fulfilled my obligations to the people of American Samoa. I am native Hawaiian but I am always happy to come back to American Samoa, the cradle of Polynesian civilization,” she said. 

Bestowed upon Simonds in 2006 by Lauvao Stephen Haleck, Seuaʻatia is the honorific taupou (chiefess) title of Aunuʻu’s highest ranking chief, Lutali. As told in oral traditions, “Seu” refers to the person who steers the canoe during voyages; once the canoe arrives ashore and docks at the beach, the oars are then laid down (“Taʻatia”) inside the boat. This is a sign that a voyage, which faced the crashing waves of the open ocean, has successfully reached its destination.

 Before the Council meeting, Council members were welcomed to American Samoa by the Office of Samoan Affairs with a traditional ʻava ceremony. The ceremony is a traditional Samoan ritual of welcome and honor involving the preparation and sharing of the roots of the kava plant (Piper methysticum). Reserved for distinguished guests, it marks their formal reception into the community. Vaiutusala Sataua Samuelu, deputy secretary of Samoan Affairs, expressed his gratitude to Seutaʻatia and the Council for engaging through proper cultural channels, recognizing the importance of working through traditional leaders to welcome and receive distinguished guests onto the land. 

 The celebrations coincide with the Council marking the 50th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which created the eight regional fishery management councils in 1976.

 The Council concludes its meeting Thursday at the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center in Utulei.