Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council Archives

WPRFMC to develop experimental fishing permit to collect information on commercial fishing in Papahānaumokuākea

September 28, 2026 — The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC) is developing an experimental fishing permit (EFP) for bottom fishing in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument to gather information supporting sustainable fishing efforts in the region.

The move is the latest of the council’s efforts to enable commercial fishing in several Pacific national marine monuments and sanctuaries, as directed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Since taking office for a second term in January 2025, Trump has pushed to reopen several large swaths of ocean that were closed to commercial fishing activity; in April 2025, he issued a proclamation to allow commercial fishing within Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Council Advances Sea Turtle Actions, Finalizes Fishing Recommendations

September 18, 2026 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council yesterday called on federal agencies to move forward with long-awaited green sea turtle status reviews in Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and American Samoa — an important step in addressing Pacific Island requests for the restoration of traditional cultural harvest.

“Populations of green sea turtles in the territories are listed as endangered under the ESA,” said CNMI Council member Sylvan Igisomar. “However, an international body of sea turtle experts [IUCN] has determined that they are of least concern — essentially saying they are no longer threatened. We’re looking forward to working with this Administration to address our requests.”

The Council requested the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expedite reviews of the green sea turtle distinct population segments associated with the three U.S. Pacific territories. NMFS Regional Administrator Sarah Malloy said a status review is needed to determine whether a population meets the criteria for downlisting or delisting.

The Council will ask the secretaries of Commerce, the Interior and State to consider renegotiating or withdrawing from the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC). Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds said the convention remains an obstacle to addressing cultural harvest.

“This Convention undermines U.S. law, which is the ESA, because it prevents us from actually allowing a cultural harvest,” Simonds said. “It’s either renegotiating and adding the exemption for cultural harvest, or leave the Convention.”

Longline Sea Turtle Measures
After discussing sea turtle measures affecting the Hawai‘i shallow-set and American Samoa longline fisheries earlier in the meeting, the Council finalized recommendations to evaluate potential regulatory changes. Existing regulations remain in place while alternatives are developed and analyzed.

For the Hawai‘i shallow-set fishery, the Council will prepare an amendment for action in December with final action in March 2027. The analysis will include economic impacts from existing trip limits and the effect of a crew training program begun in 2024 on the condition of loggerhead and leatherback turtles released from fishing gear.

Hawai‘i Council member Eric Kingma said the shallow-set fishery has undergone extensive management changes over the years and supplies about half of the U.S. swordfish production.

“It is worth continuing to review the measures if the science shows there would be little impact,” Kingma said.

The Council also requested timely NMFS analyses needed for the action, including any ESA consultation, and coordination with scientists updating North Pacific loggerhead and Western Pacific leatherback population assessments.

For the American Samoa longline fishery, the Council approved a similar review, with initial action planned for December and final action in March. The review will include consulting with fishermen on the operational impacts of sea turtle measures established under the Council’s Pacific Pelagic Fishery Ecosystem Plan Amendment 5.

The Council requested the NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center use available observer data to evaluate the effects of Amendment 5 on turtle interactions and target and nontarget catch, including silky and oceanic whitetip sharks.

Papahānaumokuākea Actions Finalized
The Council also finalized recommendations on fishing in Papahānaumokuākea.

For bottomfish, the Council will work with NMFS, its Scientific & Statistical Committee and fishermen to develop an experimental fishing permit to collect information needed to support sustainable fisheries in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and National Marine Sanctuary.

The Council will continue to review existing Magnuson-Stevens Act regulations to determine whether changes to management measures are needed.

In response to NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries request for fishing regulations, the Council concluded existing federal fishery regulations meet the purposes and policies of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and the sanctuary’s goals and objectives. These include limited-access programs, gear restrictions, catch limits, protected species mitigation measures and prohibited-area management. Therefore, additional sanctuary-specific fishing regulations are unnecessary.

Federal Fisheries Leaders Highlight Support for Western Pacific Fishing Communities

September 17, 2026 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The second day of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council meeting focused on strengthening fishing communities and expanding access to federal seafood programs.

NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Eugenio Piñeiro Soler emphasized the importance of regional knowledge and fishing communities in federal fisheries management. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience as a commercial fisherman, fishing captain and fisheries manager in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, he said those closest to the fisheries understand their regions best and that NOAA’s role is to support them.

“Your ocean is your treasure. I come from an island too and know that once a fishing community disappears or vanishes, the culture goes away, and we really don’t want that,” Piñeiro Soler said. He added that the administration wants to strengthen fishing communities and their ties to the ocean, and that this is a time to collaborate and provide the science.

Council members raised regional priorities including the viability of American Samoa’s longline and tuna industries, South Pacific albacore allocations, competition from seafood imports and foreign fleets, and opportunities to expand tuna fisheries and quota flexibility in the CNMI.

Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds asked for NOAA’s support in moving quickly on Pacific monument fishing prohibitions and the separate sanctuary process, noting that accelerated fishery management amendments could require additional resources.

Piñeiro Soler pointed to the Administration’s forthcoming America First Seafood Strategy and efforts to strengthen domestic markets, processing capacity and the competitiveness of U.S. fisheries.

New USDA Office Opens Doors for Pacific Fisheries
The Council heard from Mike Illenberg of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new Office of Seafood, established earlier this year to expand access to USDA programs for fishermen, seafood processors and aquaculture producers.

Illenberg said USDA is reviewing programs designed for agriculture to identify opportunities and barriers for seafood producers. Council members highlighted the need for better connections between Western Pacific fishing communities and local USDA offices and greater support for domestic seafood markets, including American Samoa’s U.S.-caught South Pacific albacore.

The Council recommended that the USDA Office of Seafood coordinate with the American Samoa Fisheries Task Force and explore adding U.S.-caught South Pacific albacore to the USDA Foods List through the Commodity Procurement Program. The Council also requested a Western Pacific fisheries webinar to increase awareness of the Office of Seafood, explain available USDA programs and identify opportunities for collaboration.

The Council will provide information on regional fisheries, including annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation reports, to local USDA Farm Service Agency and Rural Development offices to improve their familiarity with fisheries in Hawai‘i and the U.S. Pacific territories.

Workshop Highlights Gaps in Fishery Disaster Relief
Council members discussed findings from the U.S. Pacific Islands Fishing Resilience & Recovery Workshop, held Sept. 11–12, 2026, in Guam with 32 regional participants and representatives from Alaska, Pacific states and NOAA.

Workshop participants identified priorities including better defined disaster-response roles, stronger baseline fisheries data and rapid damage assessments, improved communication with fishermen and federal programs that account for the scale and characteristics of Pacific Island fisheries.

Since January 2026, four severe storms have affected the Western Pacific region, from the Mariana Islands to Hawaiʻi, with some communities still recovering from power outages and disruptions to water service.

Participants highlighted a significant disparity in federal fishery disaster relief. Since 1994, almost $2.1 billion has been appropriated nationally and 138 fishery disaster determinations have been made, while the Pacific Islands have received $1 million from a single successful determination, following the 2009 American Samoa tsunami. The median time to disburse funds for approved requests has been 3.4 years.

How to Join – The 208th Council meeting concludes Thursday, September 17.
📍 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.

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 scientists chart research needs for reopened fisheries

September 15, 2026 — The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council concluded its three-day meeting Thursday.

For the American Samoa longline fishery, the SSC said if the Council decides to change existing turtle-related gear requirements, the Council should ask the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) to use observer data to evaluate potential effects on turtle interactions and on target and nontarget catch, particularly silky and oceanic whitetip sharks.

Members highlighted that environmental changes and other basin-wide factors can also influence turtle interaction rates, complicating comparisons of fishery performance before and after gear regulations were implemented.

Read the full article at Samoa News

Western Pacific Scientists Chart Research Needs for Reopened Fisheries, Review Regulatory Changes

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

The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council concluded its three-day meeting yesterday with recommendations on commercial fishing in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). The SSC also identified a federal fishing regulation that may no longer be scientifically justified and additional information needed before the Council considers other regulatory changes.

The Committee called for a deliberate, science-based approach as commercial fishing resumes in the NWHI. The SSC recommended forming a working group with Council and NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) staff to develop a bottomfish data collection plan. It also recommended the Council consider an experimental fishing permit (EFP) as the fishery reopens and said any longer-term permitting regime should have a clearly defined objective.

The NWHI bottomfish fishery had been closed to commercial fishing since 2010. Before closure, the area accounted for about half of Hawai‘i bottomfish management unit species landings and supplied local markets with species specifically caught there. As fishing resumes, SSC members emphasized the need to design data collection carefully to support future spatially explicit assessments.

“An EFP may not be the quickest way to fish, but it may be the right tool to collect data at the start,” said SSC member Shelton Harley. He added that the long period with little fishing creates an opportunity to learn more about natural mortality and growth rates.

Scientists Support Removing Outdated Swordfish Restriction
As part of its review of actions identified under the federal Executive Order on “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness,” the SSC agreed there is no scientific basis to retain the swordfish retention limit in the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery. Members noted that other sea turtle mitigation measures have been implemented, circle hooks are mandatory in the fishery and the fishery will have full electronic monitoring implementation.

The current rule limits an unobserved deep-set vessel north of the equator to 25 swordfish per trip when using circle hooks and 10 with other hooks. The restriction originated when the Hawai‘i shallow-set swordfish fishery was closed under a court order more than two decades ago, with the intent of preventing vessels engaging in deep-set fishing from transitioning to shallow-set fishing while at sea. Since the limit was last modified in 2012, deep-set vessels have averaged fewer than five swordfish per trip.

For two other Seafood Executive Order priorities, the SSC identified analyses needed to inform the Council’s management decisions.

For the Hawai‘i shallow-set fishery, PIFSC reported that it is developing a model to estimate loggerhead and leatherback turtle interactions with and without trip limits, with the results to inform updated population assessments. The Committee asked Council and PIFSC staff to coordinate with its protected species working group before the December meeting for updates and continued discussion of the technical analyses that will inform Council decision-making.

For the American Samoa longline fishery, the SSC said if the Council decides to change existing turtle-related gear requirements, the Council should asked PIFSC to use observer data to evaluate potential effects on turtle interactions and on target and nontarget catch, particularly silky and oceanic whitetip sharks. Members highlighted that environmental changes and other basin-wide factors can also influence turtle interaction rates, complicating comparisons of fishery performance before and after gear regulations were implemented.

Reexamining Fishing Access Around Rose Atoll
The Committee also reviewed possible changes to the Large Vessel Prohibited Area (LVPA) around Muliāva (Rose Atoll), which restricts large-vessel fishing between 12 and 50 nautical miles from the atoll.

Members noted the LVPA did not prevent the decline of American Samoa’s smaller longline fleet. The SSC said U.S. purse seiners are unlikely to fish around Rose Atoll because of the area’s small size, although purse-seine fishing there, if it occurred, could potentially affect species targeted by the small-boat fleet. Members pointed out that large longline vessels primarily target albacore and are unlikely to compete substantially with the target species of the small-boat fleet. The SSC also said the South Pacific albacore stock remains healthy even as vessel numbers, participation and catch rates in the American Samoa fleet have declined.

Electronic monitoring being implemented in the longline fleet in 2027 is expected to provide additional information for evaluating fishing activity.

Looking Beyond Pounds and Dollars
Other science presented during the meeting highlighted why the effects of fishery management cannot always be measured through commercial landings alone.

PIFSC’s American Samoa Fish Flow Project found seafood from small-boat, longline and purse-seine fisheries contributes an estimated 560,000 to 859,000 meals to the local community. Small-boat catch flows extensively through families, friends, community leaders and events, with sharing often taking priority over sales. Researchers said some roadside sales, gifted fish and other forms of distribution are incompletely captured by conventional fishery statistics.

“The value of a gifted fish likely exceeds its commercial value,” SSC member Alister Hunt said, questioning how well commercial and recreational fishery statistics capture seafood sharing and its cultural value.

The findings complement work by the SSC’s Social Valuation Working Group, which developed four domains for considering the broader value of fisheries: food security and sovereignty, cultural importance, social cohesion, and well-being and livelihood integration. The Committee endorsed the domains for Council review.

Setting Future Research Priorities
The SSC also completed its ranking of 15 regional fishery research priorities developed with input from the Council’s Advisory Panels and Fishing Industry Advisory Committee. The priorities focus largely on evaluating fishery closures, economic and market dynamics, improving data collection and addressing depredation. The SSC recommended the Council review and adopt the final rankings.

The Committee also recommended 2027–2030 acceptable biological catches totaling 51,510 pounds for nine American Samoa bottomfish species and endorsed the terms of reference and reviewers for the upcoming independent review of the main Hawaiian Islands deep-seven bottomfish stock assessment.

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 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

How to Join
📍 In Person: (Host Sites)
Council Office, 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, Hawaii
Tedi of Samoa Building Suite 208B, Fagatogo Village, American Samoa
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

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).

Council to Take Up Fishing Access, Regulatory Actions at September Meeting

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

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will meet Sept. 15–17, 2026, to consider several fishery management actions affecting American Samoa, Hawai‘i and the broader Western Pacific. These actions include fishing access around Muliāva (Rose Atoll), regulations for reopened fisheries in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) and changes affecting longline fisheries.

The meeting follows recommendations this week from the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). Members will consider the SSC’s advice along with those from advisory groups, agencies, fishermen and the public before deciding what actions to advance.

A key decision will be final action on the Large Vessel Prohibited Area (LVPA) around Muliāva in American Samoa. In March, the Council recommended removing commercial fishing prohibitions from 12 to 50 nautical miles (nm) around Muliāva, and President Trump’s June proclamation restored fishing in those monument waters. However, separate LVPA regulations within the Council’s Pacific Pelagic Fishery Ecosystem Plan still restrict vessels 50 feet and longer from fishing within 50 nm of Muliāva. The Council will consider whether to maintain the current LVPA, exempt American Samoa longline vessels in the 12- to 50-nm area or reduce the LVPA around Muliāva to 12 nm.

The Council may also take initial action on fishing regulations for the NWHI as commercial fishing opportunities are restored through presidential proclamation. Existing regulations include permitting, monitoring and reporting requirements, vessel and gear restrictions and other management measures developed before the fishery was closed in 2010. The Council will consider whether those regulations should remain in place, be revised or be supplemented with additional measures. The Council may also recommend fishing regulations for the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary through a separate sanctuary process.

Several potential regulatory changes affecting the Hawai‘i and American Samoa longline fisheries are also on the agenda. The Council will consider changes to sea turtle measures in the Hawai‘i and American Samoa longline fisheries and whether to remove the swordfish retention limit in the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery. The SSC this week found no scientific basis to retain the swordfish retention limit and identified additional analyses needed to inform potential changes to other longline sea turtle measures.

Another initial action will address annual catch limits for managed American Samoa bottomfish species for 2027–2030. The Council will review updated stock assessment information and SSC recommendations and consider multi-year harvest limits and accountability measures for the fishery.

Deep-sea mining will also be discussed as NOAA consults with the Council on proposed exploration activities in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone and other Pacific high seas waters. The Council may provide comments and recommendations on the proposed activities and their potential effects on fisheries and fishery resources.

Other agenda items include electronic monitoring implementation for Hawai‘i and American Samoa longline fisheries; international tuna management issues for bigeye tuna and South Pacific albacore; science and research priorities, including the main Hawaiian Islands deep-seven bottomfish assessment and revisions to the Council’s management-related uncertainty determination process; Inflation Reduction Act project updates; and regional sea turtle recovery activities.

The 208th Council meeting is open to the public, with opportunities for public comment and participation online or from host sites at the Council offices throughout the region.

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council manages fisheries in federal waters around American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Hawai‘i and the Pacific Remote Island Areas.

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.