Saving Seafood

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.

Guam fishers say shark deterrents fail as disaster aid remains out of reach

August 17, 2026 — Federal fisheries officials heard a familiar complaint from Guam fishers this month: Sharks are stealing their catch, the fixes on the market don’t work, and the island still has no clear path to federal disaster money when storms wipe out their gear.

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and the Pacific Islands Fisheries Group hosted a community meeting last week at the Guam Museum Art Cafe, part of a series of gatherings the groups have held across the region to collect input on federal fisheries policy. The Council’s Guam Advisory Panel followed with its own meeting Aug. 8 at the Council office in Hagåtña, taking up commercial fishing rules inside the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument and 2026 strategic planning.

Last week’s gathering was one of close to 40 meetings the fisheries group has held across the Pacific over the past year and a half, part of an ongoing effort to document fisher concerns for the Council and its federal partners. Those observations feed into the Council’s annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation reports, which Jesse Rosario, the Council’s representative in Guam told The Guam Daily Post help shape recommendations on adapting fishery management to a changing climate. The Council is also building an online and mobile app that will let fishers report shifts in fish abundance, currents and weather directly, with a launch targeted for later this year.

Shark depredation, when sharks strip fish off the line before a catch reaches the boat, ranks among the most pressing issues raised by Guam’s small-boat fishers. According to Rosario, the Council held an international workshop on the problem in February that paired fishers with technology developers and scientists working on deterrent devices.

One Guam fisher put a magnetic deterrent that cost him nearly $70 to the test over two days on the water and came away unconvinced. He described attaching the device near the hook, expecting it to disrupt a shark’s electrical receptors before it reached the bait.

Read the full article at The Guam Daily Post

US Pacific Territories Fishery Capacity-Building Scholarship Applications Due September 18, 2026

August 10, 2026 — The following was released by the The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and its Education Committee members are pleased to announce the availability of scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year. These scholarships support the aspiration of American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to build their capacity to effectively manage their fisheries and related resources by employing people from the local communities. Read updates on current and previous scholarship recipients starting on page 11 of our Fall 2025 Council newsletter.

Students with strong ties to these territories are eligible for scholarships that cover the cost of tuition and fees and some living expenses. The amount will be based on the University’s estimated cost of attendance. Applications are being accepted for both undergraduate and graduate students, but preference will be given to students with two years or less until graduation. View the scholarship announcement and application for complete eligibility and submission requirements. Funding for the scholarships comes in part from the Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund and National Marine Fisheries Service. For further details, please contact Amy Vandehey at info@wpcouncil.org or phone (808) 522-6040.

UPDATE: American Samoa LVPA Community Meetings Postponed

August 4, 2026 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The American Samoa Large Vessel Prohibited Area (LVPA) community meetings scheduled for August 6 and 7, 2026, have been postponed.

We remain committed to engaging with fishermen, families and island communities on this important issue. New meeting dates will be announced once they are confirmed.

Please see the updated meeting notice below and help us share this information with others who may have planned to attend.

Questions? Contact Felix Penalosa: (684) 733-2754 or felix.penalosa@wpcouncil.org.

Join Community Meetings to Discuss American Samoa’s Large Vessel Prohibited Area

August 3, 2026 — The following was released by the The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The future of American Samoa’s fisheries depends on informed community voices.

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will hold two public meetings to discuss the Large Vessel Prohibited Area, or LVPA, and hear directly from fishermen, families and island communities.

The LVPA is a federal zone around American Samoa where vessels 50 feet and longer are prohibited from fishing for tuna and other pelagic species. The Council is reviewing the current rules and boundaries under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and will consider community testimony as part of its discussions at its September meeting.

Join us for an open conversation, ask questions, share your experiences and make sure your perspective is part of the discussion.

Meeting Schedule:

● Tutuila LVPA Community Meeting

Date: August 6, 2026 (Thursday)

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (SST)

Location: Sadie’s by the Sea Conference Room, Utulei, Tutuila

● Manu’a LVPA Community Meeting

Date: August 7, 2026 (Friday)

Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (SST)

Location: Fitiuta Lodge Fale, Fitiuta, Taʻu, Manuʻa

For more information, please contact Felix Penalosa (684-733-2754).

About the Council

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional councils established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to manage fisheries in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Council is responsible for developing and implementing fishery management plans for waters surrounding Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the CNMI and U.S. Pacific Remote Island Areas. The Council works to promote sustainable fisheries, protect marine ecosystems and support the livelihoods of fishing communities through science-based decision-making and stakeholder engagement.

Guam Fishers Invited to Help Shape Local Fisheries at Upcoming Public Meetings

July 27, 2026 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and the Pacific Islands Fisheries Group will host a public meeting Aug. 7, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Guam Museum Art Cafe. The meeting is the latest in a series of gatherings that invite fishers, community members and local leaders to share their knowledge, concerns and experiences regarding Guam’s changing fisheries and ocean resources.

The meeting will provide an update on what was heard from fishing communities in 2025, highlight recent actions taken in response to those concerns, share outcomes from a shark workshop held in February 2026, and outline opportunities for continued community engagement this year.

Participants will also take part in hands-on activities, including FishMaps, a community mapping exercise that helps document important fishing areas, access points and local knowledge shared by fishers. The meeting will also gather fisher observations on changing conditions and emerging needs to help guide future planning and decision-making.

To learn more, visit: Council community consultation effort overview

The Council’s Guam Advisory Panel will also hold a public meeting Aug. 8, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Council office, with an option to join virtually via Webex. Discussion topics include commercial fishing management in the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, Guam and Malesso community fishery discussions, and 2026 strategic planning.

The Advisory Panel advises the Council on fishery management issues, provides input to the Council regarding fishery management planning efforts, and advises the Council on the content and likely effects of management plans, amendments and management measures.

Meeting Schedule: 

Date: August 7, 2026 (Friday) (ChST)

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Location: Guam Museum, Art Cafe, 193 Chalan Santo Papa Juan Pablo Dos, Hagåtña

Date: August 8, 2026 (Saturday) (ChST)

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Location: Council Office, Cliff Pointe, 304 W. O’Brien Drive, Hagåtña

For more information, please contact Felix Reyes-GU (felix.reyes@wpcouncil.org), Zach Yamada (zach.yamada@wpcouncil.org) or Laurina Sebaklim (laurinaann@gmail.com, www.fishtoday.org/pacific-islands-voices). 

Council appointments renew debate over Pacific monuments

July 7, 2026 — The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (Wespac) will add two leaders from the Hawaiʻi longline industry to its ranks next month, a move supporters say brings extensive fisheries expertise to the council but one that conservation advocates argue further tilts the federal advisory body toward commercial fishing interests. According to a recent report by Civil Beat, the appointments come as the Trump administration continues efforts to expand commercial fishing access in federally protected Pacific waters.

Eric Kingma, executive director of the Hawaiʻi Longline Association, was appointed to one of Wespac’s at-large seats, while Roger Dang was reappointed to the council’s second open at-large seat. Dang owns interests in multiple longline vessels operating in Hawaiʻi’s longline fleet. Both appointments take effect Aug. 11.

Josh Green nominated Kingma and Dang, along with two other candidates, and both he and longtime Wespac executive director Kitty Simonds cited the pair’s extensive experience in seafood, fisheries management and policy.

The appointments follow recent actions by the Trump administration to reopen portions of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and two other Pacific marine monuments to U.S. commercial fishing. Kingma and Dang were among industry representatives present at the White House in June when President Donald Trump signed the proclamation beginning that process.

Read the full article at

Western Pacific Council Appointments Strengthen Commercial Fishing, Regional Fisheries Expertise

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.

Guam, CNMI weigh in as Trump opens monument waters to commercial fishing

June 22, 2026 — President Donald Trump’s proclamation this month restoring commercial fishing in Pacific marine national monuments, including the Islands Unit of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, has drawn measured but watchful responses from Guam officials and island legislators, who say the move is neither the windfall nor the threat it might appear.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said the question of balancing natural preservation with food security and the right of a people to live off the ocean as their ancestors did is complex, and that no one should represent the views of an entire people without meaningful community discussion and study.

“Yes, our political status may give the federal government the power to make these decisions without consulting us, but having the power to do it that way doesn’t mean it should be done,” Leon Guerrero told The Guam Daily Post. “The ocean knows no political boundaries and just as preservation efforts can help protect reefs and fish stock far beyond an area outlined on a map, activities such as overfishing or deep-sea mining or others can have impacts beyond those same political boundaries.”

The administration said it remains informed and involved through its participation in the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, known as the Westpac Council, and is still working through the implications of the proclamation, including whether it reverts to prior regulations that may have limited entry permits for specific fisheries.

Read the full article at The Guam Daily Post

Governor welcomes presidential proclamation supporting American commercial fishing in the Pacific

June 16, 2026 — Gov. David M. Apatang welcomed President Donald J. Trump’s June 11, 2026, signing of the Executive Proclamation Restoring American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific, which restores access to designated fishing grounds within certain Pacific marine national monuments and reaffirms science-based fisheries management under existing federal law.

The proclamation includes portions of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument and places these fisheries within the established management framework of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, NOAA Fisheries, and the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.

The action recognizes the important role Pacific communities play in the stewardship and management of ocean resources.

Read the full article at Marianas Variety