Saving Seafood

Scientists Highlight Critical Discussions on Observer Coverage, Fishery Management and Future Planning

June 17, 2024 — The following was released by Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council concluded its meeting yesterday, spotlighting negative impacts of reduced observer coverage in the Hawai‘i longline fisheries and engaging in strategic discussions on improving fishery management in the region.

A primary discussion centered on the necessity of robust observer coverage for effective monitoring and management of longline fisheries. The SSC emphasized the critical role observers have in evaluating existing management measures, such as the swordfish shallow-set longline trip interaction limits for sea turtles. Enhancing observer coverage is vital for improving the precision of interaction estimates with species rarely encountered, ensuring the accuracy of data that influences management decisions for protected species like the insular false killer whale.

The SSC heard a report from the Electronic Technologies Steering Committee on electronic monitoring, a system being used in other U.S. and international fisheries to complement human observer coverage. The SSC recommended its members work with Council advisors on integrating electronic monitoring systems through robust sampling strategies. This initiative will bolster data collection efforts, streamline processes and enhance overall fishery management.

“The implementation of electronic monitoring is expected to provide comprehensive insights into fishing activities, contributing to more sustainable and informed decision-making,” said SSC member Shelton Harley.

Regarding nearshore fishery issues, the SSC discussed the P* (P-star) process for quantifying the risk of overfishing. They emphasized the benefits for fishermen to participate in the Council’s process and help quantify uncertainties. The SSC said the benefits should be balanced with the need to streamline the process if the risk of exceeding the annual catch limit (ACL) is low. 

Members recommended setting the acceptable biological catch (ABC) with a P* reduction for the Hawai‘i deep-seven bottomfish fishery in 2024-2027, and reviewing the P* process and ACL specification framework. ABC control rules will be an agenda item at the biennial meeting of the SSCs of the eight regional fishery management councils in August, where Western Pacific participants will call attention to these regional contexts.

The SSC also heard comprehensive reports on the 2023 performance of Council-managed fisheries in the Western Pacific region. Highlights include:

  • Hawai‘i: Deep-seven bottomfish landings reached approximately 200,000 pounds, the highest since 2018, despite a decrease in commercial marine licenses and fishing trips. This was less than half of the ACL of 492,000 pounds. This echoes the observation that bottomfish were only available at the Honolulu live auction for 71 out of 271 days last year.
  • American Samoa: Longline sets hit an all-time low, yet estimated troll trips saw a significant increase from 49 to 277 after years of decline. Open ocean catches showed a decline in both tuna and non-tuna species (approximately 2.7 million pounds).
  • Mariana Archipelago (Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands): Fishing and data collection faced challenges due to weather conditions, military activities, and funding and staffing issues.

The SSC underscored the importance of fisher observations, gathered through the Council’s Advisory Panels and annual summits. These observations provide invaluable context, helping to explain anomalies in fishery catch data and ensuring fishers feel engaged and valued in the management process.

The SSC noted the need for a renewed focus on maximizing the potential of fishery resources, as showcased in the SAFE (Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation) reports. Notably, while Hawai‘i’s longline fisheries experienced a slight increase in catch from 2022 to 2023, there was a significant decrease in ex-vessel revenue due to lower average fish prices.

Looking ahead, the Council’s Plan Teams are coordinating to revise the structure and content of the annual SAFE reports. This includes integrating oceanic and climate variables as fishery indicators and better utilizing separate data streams to forecast fishery responses to environmental changes.

Hawai‘i Longline Fishery Sees Revenue Decline in 2023 Due to Drop in Fish Prices at Honolulu Fish Auction

June 10, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

A report prepared for the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council highlights a nearly 8% decline in revenue for the Hawai‘i longline fishery due to a drop in average fish prices at the first point of landing in Honolulu Harbor. The 2023 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation Report, which monitors fish catch and revenue, will be presented to scientists and advisors of the Council’s 152nd Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting from June 11-13, 2024, for advice on shaping the future of fisheries management in the Western Pacific Region.

The report indicates that while the Hawai‘i longline fishery landed slightly more fish in 2023, greater yields did not lead to higher revenue. Industry representatives confirmed better catch rates towards the end of 2023, but overall it was a very tough year for the fleet. It was further noted that the volume and price of subsidized foreign imports, coupled with all-time high operational costs, are causing severe economic impacts on the fleet, which is the State’s largest food producer. The Hawai‘i longline fleet consists of 150 U.S.-flagged vessels operating out of Honolulu Harbor. The SSC will discuss this information to provide scientific advice on management of this fishery.

Electronic monitoring is in the planning stages for tracking protected species interactions with the Hawai‘i longline fisheries. SSC discussions will address delays due to funding shortfalls, the reduction in human observer coverage and potential pathways for phasing in electronic monitoring to meet regulatory obligations.

The SSC will also advise the Council on catch limits for the main Hawaiian Islands deep-seven bottomfish fishery. The 2023 report showed recent bottomfish catch has been well-below current limits, and the fishery is neither overfished nor experiencing overfishing. A new stock assessment will help the SSC quantify the risk of overfishing and uncertainty.

A recent national focus on climate change and environmental justice requires the Council to look at ways to manage fisheries for resiliency. To support this effort, the SSC will review revisions and suggestions from various advisory groups on research priorities that promote climate change resiliency, equity and environmental justice, and regulatory efficiency in fisheries management.

The SSC meeting is open for both in-person and remote participation via web conference. Attendees can access the full agenda, background documents and instructions for connecting to the meeting and providing oral public comments at www.wpcouncil.org/event/152ssc-meeting.

Recommendations made by the SSC on these and other matters will be considered by the Council when it meets June 24-26 at the Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom in Honolulu. Instructions on connecting to the web conference, agendas and briefing documents are posted at www.wpcouncil.org/event/199th-council-meeting.

Summary of Action Items for the 199th Meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

May 28, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The 199th meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will convene in-person June 24-26, 2024, at the Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom, Honolulu, HI. Remote participation option will be available by web conference (Webex).

The Webex link is https://tinyurl.com/199CouncilMtg (if prompted, enter event number: 2632 858 5207; password: CM199mtg). Specific information on joining the meeting, instructions for connecting to the Webex and providing oral public comments during the meeting will be posted on the Council website at: https://www.wpcouncil.org/event/199th-council-meeting.

The Council will consider and may take action on the issues summarized below, including any public comments on them. Written public comments on final action items should be received by the Council’s executive director by 5 p.m. (HST), Thursday, June 20, 2024, by postal mail, fax or email as indicated below.

Mail:  Ms. Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813

FAX:  (808) 522-8226

E-mail: info@wpcouncil.org

Summary of Action Items at the 199th Council Meeting

1.  Options for Specifying Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish ACL for 2024-2027 (Initial Action)

At its 198th meeting, the Council received the 2024 Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) Deep 7 bottomfish benchmark stock assessment and accepted it as best scientific information available on the status of the fishery, and directed staff to convene the P* (Risk of Overfishing) and SEEM (Social, Economic, Ecological and Management Uncertainty) Working Groups. In May 2024, the Council’s P* and SEEM Working Groups and the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) evaluated the scientific, social, ecological, economic, and management uncertainties and recommended a risk level to the Council.

Based on the results of the P* and SEEM Working Group meeting, the Council will consider taking initial action at the 199th meeting on specifying annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) for the MHI Deep 7 bottomfish fishery for fishing years 2024-2025 to 2026-2027. The Council will consider the following options:

1)   Option 1: No Action. Do not specify an ACL and AMs.

2)   Option 2: Status quo, specify an ACL of 492,000 pounds (Syslo et al. 2021)

3)   Option 3: Specify an ACL and ACT based on P* and SEEM scores

4)   Option 4: Specify an ACL and ACT below the P* and SEEM scores

5)   Accountability Measures to consider:

a.  In-season monitoring using the commercial marine licensing and reporting

b.  Post-season overages single year adjustment

c. Specify the ACL equal to the ABC based on the P* score and optionally specify an ACT based on the P* and SEEM scores.

2.    American Samoa Marine Conservation Plan (Action Item) 

Section 204(e) of the MSA authorizes the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce and in consultation with the Council, to negotiate and enter into a Pacific Insular Area Fishery Agreement (PIAFA). A PIAFA would allow foreign fishing within the 200-mile U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around American Samoa, the CNMI, Guam or the PRIA with the concurrence of, and in consultation with, the applicable governors. According to the MSA, before entering into a PIAFA, the appropriate governor, with the concurrence of the Council, must develop a three-year MCP providing details on uses for any funds collected by the Secretary under the PIAFA.

In addition to PIAFA funds, the MSA provides that fines and penalties of violations by foreign vessels occurring within the EEZ around the Pacific Insular Areas, including sums collected from forfeiture and disposition or sale of property seized by the federal government, are to be deposited into the applicable local government’s treasury and to be used to implement the respective MCP. Also authorized by the MSA is the Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund, which allows the Council to use funds to implement MCP projects.

The MSA requires that the MCPs shall be consistent with the Council’s FEPs. The MSA also requires that the MCP include, but not be limited to, the following conservation and management objectives:

     i.    Pacific Insular Area observer programs, or other monitoring programs, that the Secretary determines are adequate to monitor the harvest, bycatch and compliance with the laws of the United States by foreign fishing vessels that fish under Pacific Insular Area fishing agreements;

     ii.   Conduct of marine and fisheries research, including development of systems for information collection, analysis, evaluation and reporting;

   iii.    Conservation, education and enforcement activities related to marine and coastal management, such as living marine resource assessments, habitat monitoring and coastal studies;

   iv.    Education and training in the development and implementation of sustainable marine resources development projects, scientific research, and conservation strategies; and

     v.   Western Pacific community-based demonstration projects under section 112(b) of the Sustainable Fisheries Act and other coastal improvement projects to foster and promote the management, conservation and economic enhancement of the Pacific Insular Areas.

The Marine Conservation Plan (MCP) for American Samoa expires in July 2024. At its 199thmeeting, the Council will review the MCPs for concurrence and approval. After review by the Council, the Governor transmits the MCP to the Secretary of Commerce for approval. If approved by the Council and Secretary of Commerce, the MCP is valid for three years; however, an MCP can be modified at any time and resubmitted for approval.

MAINE: ‘I’m not going to hang around:’ Some Maine lobstermen decide to quit over new regulations

March 28, 2024 — Maine lobstermen say they’re frustrated by a new round of rules and regulations in place up and down the coast.

Some are even deciding to quit.

Rules that took effect January 1 require lobstermen to make monthly reports detailing when, where and the number of lobsters caught each day, along with the number of traps in the water.

Some lobstermen have decided the paperwork, and more harsh future regulations, aren’t worth it.

Read the full article at Fox 23

Western Pacific fishers, advisors continue to warn against US sanctuary proposal, imported tuna

March 28, 2024 — Fishers and advisors on the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council are warning that current U.S. policies are hurting American fishers in the Pacific.

Fishers voiced a litany of urgent concerns at the council’s 198th meeting in mid-March, including the Biden administration’s goal of extending sanctuary protections in the region and what they deemed as a growing threat of tuna imports.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Fishermen Sound Alarm: US Government Policies Threaten Way of Life in US Pacific Islands

March 25, 2024 — Read the full article atbWestern Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Amidst mounting concerns and resounding frustration, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council convened its 198th meeting this week, where the voices of the fishing community advisors echoed with urgency. Their impassioned pleas highlighted the dire challenges facing the industry, including escalating anxieties over fishing area closures and the destabilizing impact of foreign seafood imports on market dynamics.

Hawai‘i Advisory Panel (AP) member and Kaua‘i fisherman Abraham Apilado, Jr. said, “If the goal is to sustain fisheries, major changes need to be made today. If the goal is to kill off the fishermen and resources, then keep doing what you’re doing, because you’re doing an amazing job.”

The United States is proposing to overlay and extend the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (MNM) and potentially the Pacific Remote Islands MNM with sanctuary regulations, compounding current fishing closures (see map).

“The tuna industry is the only industry we have, the government relies on the canneries,” said Gene Pan, American Samoa AP member and Fono Representative. “You are stopping us from fishing but not the Chinese. Without the people, there is no Samoa.”

Council Chair Will Sword stressed, “Without the StarKist cannery, we cannot continue to sustain our cultural heritage and keep it vibrant. Further disadvantaging our remaining 12 purse seine vessels in American Samoa affects our cannery.”

“Our purse seine boats can’t compete because it’s not a level playing field,” said American Samoa AP member and Cape Fisheries CEO Joe Hamby. “The Seafood Import Monitoring Program is not working. U.S. fishers and processors should be protected by a duty on fish imports—seafood security is important. Fishing or processing, it’s a matter of having the political will to defend against negative impacts to domestic producers.”

Eric Kingma, Hawaii Longline Association executive director, said, “We are facing unprecedented market conditions. There is a large supply of fish coming in, driven by El Niño conditions. The market isn’t there because of the huge amount of imported, subsidized, gassed tuna being ‘dumped’ into the market and retailers are not adjusting downward during periods of high local supply of fresh tuna. Not only is this bad for the local consumer, but it’s unfair to the Hawai‘i fishing industry. The subsidized foreign imports and retail price gouging on fresh landed ‘ahi is really hurting the Hawai‘i longline fleet. Recently, vessels are averaging $2-3 per pound for high quality ‘ahi, but it’s over $30 per pound at the store. It’s not fair to consumers or fishermen.”

Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds said, “If you were the President of the United States, which would you choose—the people of the U.S. or your legacy?”

Fish Stock Assessment Limitations in the Western Pacific

Hawai‘i Council Member Matt Ramsey questioned how NOAA can develop strategies to promote seafood and equity and environmental justice (EEJ), while at the same time limiting fishing opportunities. Sam Rauch, NOAA deputy assistant administrator for regulatory programs, stated, “The goal of NMFS is not to limit fishing opportunities in general. In fact, NMFS is supposed to promote optimum yield, and that is the task that both the Council and NMFS are tasked with under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.”

The Council endorsed the Hawai‘i and Guam bottomfish stock assessments to update catch limits. The previous Guam assessment, which found the bottomfish stock complex was overfished, used a model likely not suited for data-limited fisheries. The latest assessment, which used the same model with updated catch data, showed an improved stock condition, but not enough to rebuild the stock. 

“It is one of the things we have learned particularly in the Western Pacific,” Rauch said. “Models that we apply to manage fisheries for [optimum yield] elsewhere in the country sometimes break down when they are applied to artisanal, cultural or subsistence fishing, much like the type of fishing that happens in the territories.”

Scientists Endorse HI and Guam Bottomfish Stock Assessments, Recommend Approaches to Survey False Killer Whales

March 18, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Yesterday science advisors to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council accepted two recent bottomfish stock assessments for the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) and Guam as the best scientific information available (BSIA).

The assessments found the MHI deep-seven stock is not overfished and not experiencing overfishing, and the Guam stock is likely not overfished and likely not experiencing overfishing relative to reference points.

The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) endorsed the 2023 benchmark stock assessment and recommended the Council initiate the process for setting an updated acceptable biological catch and specifying annual catch limits (ACLs). 

The assessment from the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) used data from the Hawai‘i Fishery Reporting System and the Bottomfish Fishery Independent Survey in Hawai‘i (BFISH) survey, spanning fishing years 1949 to 2023. Significant improvements were made to catch data evaluation and standardization techniques, culminating in a robust modeling platform known as Just Another Bayesian Biomass Assessment (JABBA). PIFSC incorporated adjustments based on feedback from the 2023 Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review (WPSAR), improving the assessment’s reliability.

SSC members suggested upcoming assessments explore age-based models and conduct tests to check the accuracy of data standardization methods. They also voiced concerns about using data from the Hawai‘i Marine Recreational Fishing Survey to determine fishing effort and proposed different ways to estimate catch levels from various sectors.

Regarding the Guam bottomfish fishery, the SSC accepted the 2024 assessment and recommended the Council determine if the ACLs for Guam bottomfish need revision within the current rebuilding plan. The fishery is operating under a rebuilding plan that addresses its previously overfished condition based on the 2019 assessment. It uses an associated ACL of 31,000 pounds to rebuild the stock. 

The updated stock assessment includes data from 2018 to 2023 and highlights changes in species composition, notably an increase in onaga (longtailed red snapper, Etelis coruscans). The assessment indicates that while the stock is not currently overfished or experiencing overfishing, it hasn’t yet reached sustainable yield levels, necessitating continued adherence to the rebuilding plan. 

False Killer Whale Management Area

The SSC determined the available scientific information was not suitable for estimating the abundance of the Hawai‘i offshore population of false killer whales (FKWs) in areas outside of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In 2023, PIFSC defined a new “management area” for the offshore pelagic stock that is known to inhabit areas both inside and outside of the EEZ around Hawai‘i. The SSC adopted the report and recommendations from a working group tasked with reviewing the pelagic FKW management area approach. 

The working group found the limited biological data outside of the EEZ were not sufficient to delineate a biologically based area that defines the pelagic stock, or for applying the modeling approach used to estimate the number of animals inhabiting that area. The SSC recommended the National Marine Fisheries Service not use the approach for any management purpose, and instead recommended prioritizing gathering additional tagging and genetic data outside of the EEZ. 

Pelagic FKWs are known to take bait and catch from longline fishing gear, and may be accidentally caught in these fisheries. Most FKWs accidentally caught in the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery are released alive. However, NMFS considers most of these interactions to be “serious injuries” if the hook or other part of the longline gear is left on the animal. The abundance estimates for FKWs are used to estimate the maximum number of individuals that can be removed from a population without causing it to decline below a sustainable level. 

Recent Publication on Gaps in Biodiversity Protection

The SSC discussed a presentation on a new scientific framework published in a recent scientific journal aiming to evaluate marine biodiversity across different spatial scales. The framework emphasizes identifying ecologically and societally important marine species, characterizing effective protection networks and using existing data. The authors’ analysis found current U.S. marine protected areas contain only a fraction of the nation’s marine biodiversity, with none meeting all criteria for effective protection. 

However, the SSC highlighted the contentious nature of defining “protection” and raised concerns about the assumption that total area closures are the most effective means of protection. The SSC noted a total closure might not be as effective as technical measures for specific conservation and fisheries management objectives.

SSC members highlighted the importance of identifying threats to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation measures. They emphasized that threats like climate change and human activities are significant concerns for biodiversity protection, which may not be fully addressed by protected areas alone. Despite the report showing 97% of the biodiversity claimed to be protected in the United States is within the Western Pacific Region, the SSC asserted the report is not a fair assessment of conservation measures implemented throughout the nation.

The SSC recommended the Council work with the Council Coordination Committee, comprising the eight regional fishery management councils, to ensure proposed conservation measures address identifiable threats and have measurable impacts in mitigating those threats.

Scientific and Statistical Committee: James Lynch (chair); Jason Biggs (Guam Div. of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources); Debra Cabrera (University of Guam); Frank Camacho (University of Guam); Milani Chaloupka (University of Queensland); Erik Franklin (University of Hawai‘i, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology); Shelton Harley (Fisheries New Zealand); Jason Helyer (Hawai‘i Div. of Aquatic Resources); Ray Hilborn (University of Washington); Justin Hospital (National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center); Dave Itano (Fisheries Consultant); Donald Kobayashi (NMFS PIFSC); Steve Martell (Sea State Inc.); Domingo Ochavillo (American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources); Graham Pilling (The Pacific Community); Craig Severance (University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, retired); Francisco Villagomez (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Div. of Fish & Wildlife); Charles Littnan (ex-officio) (NMFS PIFSC).

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council: Secretary of Commerce appointees from nominees selected by American Samoa, the CNMI, Guam and Hawai‘i governors: Will Sword, noncommercial fisherman/engineer (American Samoa) (chair); Roger Dang, Fresh Island Fish Co. (Hawai‘i) (vice chair); Manny Dueñas, Guam Fishermen’s Cooperative Association (Guam) (vice chair); Judith Guthertz, University of Guam (Guam); Pete Itibus, noncommercial fisher (CNMI); Shaelene Kamaka‘ala, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (Hawai‘i); Matt Ramsey, Conservation International (Hawai‘i); and Gene Weaver, CNMI Judiciary (CNMI). Designated state officials: Dawn Chang, Hawai‘i Dept. of Land & Natural Resources; Sylvan Igisomar, CNMI Dept. of Lands & Natural Resources (vice chair); Chelsa Muña, Guam Dept. of Agriculture; and Archie Soliai, American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources (vice chair). Designated federal officials (voting): Sarah Malloy (acting), NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office. Designated federal officials (nonvoting): Colin Brinkman, U.S. State Dept.; Brian Peck, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; and RADM Michael Day, U.S. Coast Guard 14th District. 

Western Pacific Scientists to Advise Fishery Management Council on Hawai‘i and Guam Bottomfish

March 11, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Scientific advisors to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will meet March 12-14, 2024, to provide advice and guidance on the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) deep-seven bottomfish and Guam bottomfish fishery stock assessments, among other topics.

The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting is open to in-person or remote participation via web conference for attendees. The full agenda, background documents and instructions for connecting to the meeting and providing oral public comments are available atwww.wpcouncil.org/event/151st-ssc-meeting.

MHI Deep-Seven Bottomfish Assessment

The SSC will discuss and evaluate a new benchmark stock assessment model for the MHI bottomfish fishery. The Council’s Hawai‘i Fishery Ecosystem Plan encompasses seven bottomfish species, managed as a species complex. The stock in 2023 is not overfished or undergoing overfishing, similar to the 2018 benchmark and 2021 update assessments. The new model uses estimates of harvest rate, annual biomass and other parameters to define the stock status relative to reference points.

The SSC will review a report and recommendations from a 2023 Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review (WPSAR) panel and may provide feedback to determine whether the new stock assessment represents the best scientific information available (BSIA). If appropriate, the Council will proceed with developing new annual catch limits (ACLs) for fishing years 2025-2029 based on the outcomes. The catch limit for the fishing year September 2023 to August 2024 is 492,000 pounds.

Guam Bottomfish Assessment

Similar to Hawai‘i, the SSC will review the 2024 updated stock assessment for 13 Guam bottomfish management unit species (BMUS) to recommend annual catches for fishing years 2024-2029. The Guam bottomfish fishery is operating under a rebuilding plan and associated ACL of 31,000 pounds. This is based on a 2017 benchmark stock assessment that concluded the stock complex was overfished, but not experiencing overfishing. The SSC will review a report and recommendations from the WPSAR panel and determine if the latest assessment should be considered BSIA for management action. Information from the 2024 report suggests BMUS in Guam were not overfished or experiencing overfishing in 2023. 

The SSC will consider and may provide feedback on WPSAR Terms of Reference for a bottomfish data review to be held in July 2024.

 The SSC will also receive an update on an upcoming survey aimed at filling data gaps for false killer whales outside of the U.S. exclusive economic zone. The members will revisit discussions on scientific approaches for managing the pelagic stock of the species.

Recommendations made by the SSC on these and other matters will be considered by the Council when it meets March 18-20 at the Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom in Honolulu. Instructions on connecting to the web conference, agendas and briefing documents are posted at www.wpcouncil.org/event/198th-council-meeting.

Council Members Recollect WCPFC Decisions and Set ACLs for American Samoa Bottomfish

December 14, 2023 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Outcomes from the 20th annual meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) meeting dominated Council discussion today. The WCPFC, meeting in the Cook Islands, increased the U.S. Hawai‘i-based longline fishery bigeye tuna catch limit from 3,554 to 6,554 metric tons after considering the healthy stock status and the highly monitored and compliant nature of the fishery. 

However, the United States was unsuccessful in preserving a key provision in the tropical tuna conservation and management measure allowing for the transfer of catch to the Hawai‘i longline fishery. The funds derived from these specified fishing agreements have supported fishery development initiatives in the U.S. Pacific Territories described in Marine Conservation Plans (MCPs) in alignment with the Council’s Fishery Ecosystem Plans. 

Council members, the Chair, the heads of delegation for American Samoa and CNMI, and the Executive Director were alarmed and frustrated about the lack of communications during the negotiations within the U.S. delegation. Subsequently, the U.S. government was highly restrictive on all communications with other delegations and the WCPFC Scientific Services Provider.  

Both the CNMI and American Samoa heads of delegation were shocked by a U.S. intervention that stated the U.S. territories have no longline fleets or aspirations for fishery development in the foreseeable future. Guam, the CNMI and American Samoa are Participating Territories that have similar rights and aspirations as other Pacific Island Small Island Developing States.  

“I wanted to speak up, but didn’t out of concern that it would affect all that we tried to get done,” Archie Soliai, Council member and American Samoa head of delegation. He added, “The loss of fisheries development funding was disappointing, to say the least, but we expect the U.S. federal government to replace these funds.” In addition to NOAA, other federal agencies will be asked to support the territories.

“Hawai‘i won, but the territories lost,” said Council Chair Will Sword. “We appreciate the funding received from the Hawaii Longline Association over the past 10 years, but the funding gap needs to be filled immediately.”

“The U.S. government had at least a dozen bilateral meetings with other delegations, yet they never reported specifics, nor were the Commissioners or delegates invited,” said Sylvan Igisomar, Council member and CNMI head of delegation.

The Council will convey to NOAA the shortcomings of the United States Government to include the U.S. Participating Territories and other delegation members at WCPFC20.

Another funding source for MCP projects is fishing agreements with foreign countries. The Council will coordinate with the U.S. Pacific Territories, NMFS, and NOAA General Counsel to continue exploring the feasibility of using Pacific Insular Area Fishing Agreements (PIAFAs). 

American Samoa Bottomfish Catch Limits

Regarding American Samoa bottomfish management unit species, the Council recommended discontinuing the rebuilding plan as a follow up to the stock assessment reviewed at the June 2023 Council meeting that confirmed the fishery was not overfished or experiencing overfishing. Instead of an aggregate annual catch limit (ACL), the Council specified single species ACLs from 2024-2026 for nine assessed species based on their respective risk of overfishing and management uncertainty analysis scores.

The Council discussed that the current data collection and monitoring systems in American Samoa do not allow for real-time tracking of catches in a timely manner. Instead, the Council recommended a post-season accountability measure that if the average catch of the three most recent years exceeds the specified ACL in a fishing year, the ACL for the following fishing year will be reduced by the amount of the overage.

WCPFC Increases US Bigeye Tuna Catch Limit, Although US Fails to Secure Benefits for Pacific Territories

December 12, 2023 — The following was released by Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The 20th Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission meeting convened in the Cook Islands concluded past 3:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. The meeting was an overall success with a revised tropical tuna conservation and management measure (CMM) for 2024 through 2026. The measure, which covers nearly 60% of global tuna supply, establishes international rules for bigeye, skipjack and yellowfin tuna fishing. This year’s meeting was highlighted by an overdue increase in bigeye tuna catch limit for the U.S. Hawai‘i-based longline fishery. However, the U.S. head of delegation and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) was not prepared to successfully negotiate the recognition of an American Samoa purse seine fleet for privileges it should be entitled as a Participating Territory under the Commission. 

The Commission increased the Hawai‘i longline fishery catch limit of bigeye tuna to 6,554 metric tons—a 3,000 mt increase—supported by evidence from the Science Provider (SPC). The CMM increases catch limits for five nations with fishing limits for longline-caught bigeye contingent on increases of human observers and/or electronic monitoring. The U.S. Hawai‘i longline fishery would not be required to increase its observer coverage as it maintains a level that far exceeds other countries. The successful increase for the Hawai‘i longline fishery follows nearly two years of collaboration between the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority, who co-convened three workshops on longline fishery management. 

Stakeholders and Council members appreciated the endorsement of Commission Members and agreed that the U.S. longline fishery should have a higher catch limit. Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds said, “This came with the understanding that Hawai‘i vessels are well-managed, fish sustainably, and a part of a niche fresh fish market.” 

However, the increase for the Hawai‘i longline fishery came at a cost. To the detriment of the U.S. Participating Territories, the United States failed to retain a provision in the tropical tuna CMM that allows for the transfer of portions of catch to the Hawai‘i longline fishery in exchange for funds under specified fishing agreements. The loss of that provision eliminated those agreements and funding that had been a cornerstone of the territories’ fishery development initiatives. “We vehemently oppose giving away that provision without consultation with the territories,” said Council Chair Taulapapa William Sword. “We were not consulted before, or during, the meeting and were caught by surprise. We realize it wasn’t even necessary to sacrifice this provision to increase the bigeye longline quota.”

CNMI Head of Delegation Sylvan Igisomar added, “Although this is a win for the Hawai‘i longline fishery, it is a devastating loss for the Pacific Territories.”

The agreement included reduced fish aggregating device (FAD) closure periods for purse seine vessels from three months in exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Pacific nations to 1.5 months and to 2.5 months on the high seas. The purpose of these closures is to decrease juvenile mortality for bigeye tuna, which are incidentally caught in the purse seine sets targeting skipjack tuna—the primary species used in canned tuna. 

While fishing privileges were to be balanced between longline and purse seine fisheries as part of negotiations, the Commission did not adopt a proposal from American Samoa seeking the same benefits that are entitled to other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Participating Territories. “Other SIDS and Participating Territories have been granted similar privileges on the high seas and in EEZs, such as fishing during FAD closures, and American Samoa proposed the same benefits for vessels integral to our economy,” said Taotasi Archie Soliai, Head of Delegation for American Samoa. 

Soliai previously asked NMFS to proceed with rulemaking that would recognize, through U.S. regulations, a distinct territorial purse seine fleet for American Samoa. This distinction would help American Samoa’s fleet attain this recognition in the Commission. Unfortunately, NMFS did not take action as requested. “We are hopeful that with the positive relationships we are building with our Pacific Islands brothers and sisters, we can finally negotiate a favorable agreement,” said Soliai.