Saving Seafood

NMFS Proposes Improved Seabird Conservation Measures Based on Western Pacific Council Recommendation

October 18, 2023 — Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Today the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) published a proposed rule to modify seabird mitigation measures for the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery managed under the Pacific Pelagic Fishery Ecosystem Plan of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. The proposed rule is based on the Council’s recommended changes to replace the currently required blue-dyed bait and strategic offal discharge with a tori line, also known as streamer lines or bird scaring lines. 

“The Council’s recommended changes were a result of a multi-year collaborative effort with fishermen, scientists, and fishery managers to improve techniques for avoiding seabird interactions in the largest domestic bigeye tuna longline fishery in the United States,” said Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds. “This is an example of the successful adaptive mangement process under the Magnuson-Steven’s Act, and part of the Council’s long history of proactive conservation measures to address fishery impacts to protected species.”

The proposed rule will be open for public comment until Nov. 16, 2023. The proposed changes would only apply to Hawai‘i deep-set longline vessels that set their gear from the stern, and would not affect vessels that set their gear from the side (“side-setting”). All deep-set longline vessels would also continue to be required to use weights near the hook so that the hook sinks out of seabirds’ diving depth faster. If finalized as proposed, these changes may go into effect as early as mid-January 2024.

The proposed regulatory change reflects findings from a 2019-2021 collaborative project by the Council, Hawaii Longline Association (HLA) and NMFS. The focus of the project was to develop a practical and safe tori line specifically designed for the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery, which led to a design that is light-weight and streamlined. Field trials demonstrated that the newly designed tori lines are significantly more effective in deterring seabird interactions than the existing blue-dyed bait measure.

Blue-dyed bait and strategic offal discharge have been in place since 2001 as mitigation measures for tuna-targeting deep-set longline vessels when fishing north of 23°N latitude. The implementation of these seabird measures reduced interactions by 70-90%. Over time, seabird interaction trends in the fishery showed a gradual increase, and an analysis of federal observer program data for 2004-2014 showed that blue-dyed bait was less effective in deterring seabird interactions than the alternative option of side-setting. Fishermen also found the preparation of blue-dyed bait to be cumbersome and messy. A Council workshop convened in 2018 highlighted the need to find alternative mitigation measure to blue-dyed bait to improve the practicality of the requirements for the fishermen, and workshop participants identified tori lines as a candiate alternative for further testing in the Hawai‘i fishery. Available evidence on strategic offal discharge, meant to distract seabirds from baited hooks, also suggest that the measure is not likely having an effect on seabird interaction rates, and may potentially increase seabird attraction to fishing vessels over time.

The Council evaluated the results from the tori line project and other best available scientific information, and recommended the regulatory change in December 2021. In lieu of a regulatory requirement for strategic offal discharge, the Council also recommended best practices training on offal management be added to the mandatory annual protected species workshop for Hawai‘i commercial fishermen. Since its final recommendation, the Council, in collaboration with HLA and with support from the National Fish and Wildlife Federation and NMFS National Seabird Program, has been preparing Hawai‘i deep-set longline vessels for the anticipated regulatory change by building and distributing tori line systems.

Fishery Management Councils to Meet October 11-13, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia

October 11, 2023 — The following was released at Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Leadership teams for the nation’s eight regional fishery management councils will gather in Arlington, Virginia for the Fall 2023 Council Coordination Committee (CCC) meeting. The meeting will convene October 11-13, 2023, at the Hilton Arlington National Landing Hotel located at 2399 Richmond Hwy., Arlington, VA 22202.

  • NOAA Fisheries Updates and Priorities
  • Budget and 2024 Outlook
  • NOAA Fisheries Science Update
  • Legislative Outlook
  • NOAA Fisheries Policy Regarding Governance
  • Inflation Reduction Act Climate-Ready Fisheries Council Funding Priorities and Process
  • CCC Subcommittee Updates
  • Process for Establishing Fishing Regulations in Sanctuaries
  • Overview of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and and Council for Environmental Quality (CEQ) Proposed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Regulations
  • Endangered Species Act and Magnuson-Stevens Act Integration Policy Update

The CCC comprises the chairs, vice chairs, and executive directors of the New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, Western Pacific, and North Pacific Fishery Management Councils. CCC chairmanship rotates annually among the eight Councils. The CCC meets twice each year to discuss issues relevant to all fishery management councils. NOAA Fisheries is hosting this Fall meeting and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is serving as the CCC Chair this year.

The meeting will be broadcast via webinar.

All current information including briefing book materials and webinar connection details will be posted on the meeting page:

_https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/event/2023-october-council-coordination-committee-meeting.

Tropical Tuna Workshops Lead to Progress in Developing Favorable Management Measure for U.S. Pacific Island Fisheries

October 10, 2023 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Council and the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority convened an informal meeting last week to discuss longline fishery management components of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission conservation and management measure for tropical tunas. Held at the WCPFC headquarters in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, workshop participants included individuals from the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Parties of the Nauru Agreement (PNA), other Pacific Island countries, USA, Taiwan and Korea. 

 The workshop was the third held this year by the Council and MIMRA focusing on longline provisions with the WCPFC’s marquee tropical tuna measure, which expires at the end of the year. The WCPFC is meeting in December 2023 in Rarotonga, Cook Islands to negotiate a new tropical tuna measure, which covers key tuna stocks of skipjack, yellowfin and bigeye. Nearly 60% of global tuna supply is covered under the WCPFC’s tropical tuna measure.

 The latest 2023 Pacific Community (SPC) stock assessment for bigeye tuna showed that under recent catch levels, as well as greater levels of exploitation, the bigeye tuna stock is projected to increase. At the workshop, SPC staff discussed projections that forecast stock biomass depletion levels and associated risks of breaching biomass sustainability limits under varying longline catch and purse seine effort scenarios. The bottomline is that there is room to increase longline catches and allow some decreases in purse seine fish aggregating device (FAD) closures while still meeting WCPFC conservation objectives.

 Supported by scientific evidence, for the past several years the United States has proposed at the WCPFC’s annual meeting to increase its bigeye tuna longline limit without success. The existing United States’ bigeye longline limit is caught in its entirety by the Hawaii-based longline fishery and is reached every year by October and often earlier. The U.S. longline limit is based on a single year (2004) as its baseline and has never been commensurate with the the Hawaii longline limited-entry permitted fishery’s capacity. The federally managed Hawaii-based longline fleet is the State’s largest food producer and an increased U.S. longline bigeye limit supports Hawaii’s food self sufficiency and resiliency objectives. The Hawaii based-longline fishery lands premium ice-chilled seafood principally for Hawaii and domestic markets and is subject to unmatched monitoring and protected species mitigation measures. At a minimum, the WCPFC at its meeting in December should consider increased longline bigeye limits for highly monitored and comprehensively managed fishing fleets such as the Hawaii longline fishery.

 

WCPFC Member Nations Consider Limiting High Seas Fishing Effort

While the United States considers closing additional federal waters in the Pacific to fishing through domestic development of a National Marine Sanctuary, existing international arrangements limit fishing on the high seas. The WCPFC, at its September 29-30 workshop, discussed further limiting high seas fishing for purse seine vessels, which is the gear responsible for nearly 70% of global tuna catch. Pacific Island countries support high seas fishing restrictions as a means to drive fishing effort into their exclusive economic zones (EEZs) to collect access fees for their local island economies. In addition, the high seas could potentially be limited through the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), which was adopted earlier this year.

 With the high seas subject to futher potential restrictions, prohibiting all commercial fishing within the proposed Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Sanctuary would unnecessarily harm U.S. tuna fleets and negatively impact American Samoa’s tuna dependent economy.

 

 America Samoa Seeks Privileges for SIDS and Participating Territories

Council member Taotasi Archie Soliai from American Samoa made an impassioned plea to WCPFC members at the workshop, particularly fellow Pacific Islanders, to recognize fishing vessels that are integral to the territory’s economy to be granted privileges given to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Participating Territories. 

 American Samoa is seeking to have U.S.-flagged purse seine vessels that supply the cannery in Pago Pago be exempt from high seas limits and seasonal FAD closures. Other Pacific Island nations have utilized this exemption to optimize their fishery production. 

 Addressing the Commission, Soliai said, “The highest priority for American Samoa is to gain full recognition of the disproportionate burden we have borne as a SIDS / Participating Territory, and to maintain a reliable supply of tuna for processing in our one remaining cannery.”

 The WCPFC is an international commission responsible for managing highly migratory species fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. The WCPFC is comprised of 26 member countries and seven Particiating Territories, including the United States and American Samoa, CNMI and Guam.

Fishery Management Councils to Meet October 11-13, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia

September 27, 2023 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Leadership teams for the nation’s eight regional fishery management councils will gather in Arlington, Virginia for the Fall 2023 Council Coordination Committee (CCC) meeting. The meeting will convene October 11-13, 2023, at the Hilton Arlington National Landing Hotel located at 2399 Richmond Hwy., Arlington, VA 22202.

The CCC is comprised of the chairs, vice chairs, and executive directors of the New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, Western Pacific, and North Pacific Fishery Management Councils. CCC chairmanship rotates annually among the eight Councils. The CCC meets twice each year to discuss issues relevant to all fishery management councils. NOAA Fisheries is hosting this Fall meeting and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is serving as the CCC Chair this year.

 The CCC will address the following items during this meeting:

  • NOAA Fisheries Updates and Priorities
  • Budget and 2024 Outlook
  • NOAA Fisheries Science Update
  • Legislative Outlook
  • NOAA Fisheries Policy Regarding Governance
  • Inflation Reduction Act Climate-Ready Fisheries Council Funding Priorities and Process
  • CCC Subcommittee Updates
  • Process for Establishing Fishing Regulations in Sanctuaries
  • Overview of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and and Council for Environmental Quality (CEQ) Proposed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Regulations
  • Endangered Species Act and Magnuson-Stevens Act Integration Policy Update

The meeting will be broadcast via webinar.

 All current information including briefing book materials and webinar connection details will be posted on the meeting page: 

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/event/2023-october-council-coordination-committee-meeting.

Status Quo Preferable for Proposed Pacific Remote Islands Sanctuary

September 20, 2023 — The following was released by Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Existing fishing regulations which govern the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around the U.S. Pacific Remote Islands (PRI) may be sufficient for the proposed national marine sanctuary, said the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. At its meeting yesterday, the Council reviewed data on current fishing in the PRI and the multitude of fishing regulations that govern the area. It concluded today that the regulatory scheme in place may already satisfy the proposed goals and objectives presented by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS).

The NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center shared data with the Council that showed the impacts of existing fisheries are well below measurable and objective thresholds established by NOAA. These thresholds relate to various requirements in the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Endangered Species Act and other applicable laws. “The current fishing effort in the PRI will not affect the habitat or species that a sanctuary may be concerned about – the data shows that,” said Taotasi Archie Soliai, Council vice chair from American Samoa.

Chair Taulapapa Will Sword, also from American Samoa, equated increasing regulations on the fisheries to a slow ratcheting that has constrained the fishery so much that it will end with a “death by a thousand cuts.” Sword emphasized the increases in fuel prices, the cost to fish in foreign EEZs, and changes in the local economy provide more than enough challenges for the U.S. longline and purse seine fisheries. The Chair futher quoted American Samoa Governor Lemanu’s favorite proverb, “Aua le naunau i le i‘a ae ia manumanu i le upega,” or “Don’t be so hardpressed on the catch, but be mindful of keeping the net safe and secured for another day.”

“The question is ‘who benefits from spatial closures?’” said Soliai. “China, Japan and Chinese Taipei. The results from these cumulative impacts are that U.S. purse seiners will reflag to other countries, vessels fishing further east in the Pacific will not land their catches in Pago Pago, and ultimately no fish for the cannery will lead to its shutdown.”

Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds noted, “The discussion so far has been on the process. The bigger picture is that the United States is managing U.S. fisheries in our region with monuments and sanctuaries. It is federal overreach.”

At a workshop last week, several government departments described economic impacts from a sanctuary, including the American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) and the Department of Commerce. Officials highlighted that canneries are a major economic driver for the territory, with StarKist Samoa contributing more than $7 million in electric revenue in 2022. When the Chicken of the Sea cannery closed in 2009, ASPA took a hit of more than $5 million per year. This closure led to a loss of more than 2,000 jobs, causing a negative ripple effect throughout the local economy.

The Council also recognized that a goal of the proposed sanctuary to support cultural heritage and fishing is central to the culture of Pacific Island communities. “Fish is important to our cultures, we need to have it to practice it,” said Chair Sword. Vice Chair Soliai added there was a lot of emotion at the workshop and on a StarKist cannery tour, and that it was good for NOAA to “feel the heartbeat” of the people of American Samoa and “the emotion that poured out through song and tears.”  

The Council will continue discussing the issue with the National Marine Fisheries Service and ONMS to determine if additional regulations may be necessary. After the current scoping phase concludes, ONMS will consider the data gathered and develop proposed sanctuary designation documents including a draft Environmental Impact Statement. The Council requested that ONMS provide an opportunity to review the Statement prior to public release to ensure that the alternatives are aligned with the Council’s fishing regulations.

Existing Fishing Regulations Sufficient to Meet Proposed PRI Sanctuary Goals, Science Advisors Say

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

The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) at its meeting today discussed potential fishing regulations for the proposed Pacific Remote Islands (PRI) National Marine Sanctuary designation. The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) updated members on the process and timeline, noting the current scoping phase encompassed a public comment period that garnered approximately 57,000 comments. The topics ranged from support to opposition of the proposed sanctuary with suggestions for regulations, boundaries, opportunities and improvements.

Brady Phillips, ONMS, said the Council’s input would be helpful to draft alternatives to balance the President’s directive to “provide lasting and comprehensive protection” with existing fishing rules and regulations. Phillips noted ONMS is considering all information received to develop a full range of alternatives for the proposed sanctuary.

“I think we need to be honest about what additional regulations would protect,” said University of Washington professor Ray Hilborn. “Nearshore coral reefs are already covered – the real threats aren’t coming from fishing, they are coming from climate change.”

Acting SSC Chair Erik Franklin noted that on the mainland United States, sanctuaries are viewed as multi-use zones, including fishing, and questioned the difference in the Pacific Islands Region.

“Fishing is the lifeblood of our heritage in the Pacific Islands – it feels like government overreach to try to meet the global need to close ocean areas to achieve certain targets without thinking of the potential impacts,” said Franklin. “If we really want to meet ONMS’ goal of conserving cultural heritage, we need to include fishing as a critical component.”

The SSC reviewed existing fishing rules and regulations in the Council PRI Fishery Ecosystem Plan to evaluate if additional regulations were necessary to meet the proposed sanctuary’s goals and objectives. Members agreed that the regulations in place are sufficient and essentially best practices for fisheries in the Pacific.

Historically, the combined Hawai‘i- and American Samoa-based longline commercial catches ranged from 149 to 1,404 metric tons per year in the U.S. EEZ of the PRI, and the U.S. purse seine fleet catches ranged from 642 to 37,480 mt per year. From 2015 to present, following the PRI Marine National Monument establishment and subsequent expansion, the two longline fleets caught a combined total of 125 mt, and the purse seine fleet’s landings have ranged from 1,524 to 5,889 mt annually.

The Hawai‘i deep-set longline fleet delivers to the Port of Honolulu, but 85% of the purse seine fleet’s catch in the PRI is landed in Pago Pago, American Samoa. Up to 80% of the fish supplied to the StarKist cannery is from U.S. fleets.

Tuna landings for the two commercial fleets for the past decade have had a negligible impact on the bigeye, yellowfin and skipjack stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean at 3.6%, 0.8% and 0.2% of maximum sustainable yield, respectively. The fisheries have no impact on benthic habitats or seamounts due to the deep waters, and low interactions with protected species like sea turtles and oceanic whitetip sharks.

The Council will provide a response to ONMS regarding the need for draft fishing regulations by Dec. 20, 2023. After the scoping phase concludes, ONMS will develop proposed sanctuary designation documents, including a draft Environmental Impact Statement and management plan, around the end of 2023 and into 2024. 

Council Science Advisors Weigh In on American Samoa Bottomfish Catch Limits, Electronic Monitoring in Pacific Islands Region

September 13, 2023 — The following was released by Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) today reviewed options to sustainably fish for American Samoa bottomfish species caught in federal waters 3-200 miles offshore from 2024 to 2026. In their discussion, SSC members took into account a 2023 NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center bottomfish stock assessment for nine shallow- and deep-water species and an analysis completed in August that quantified the scientific uncertainties in the assessment. 

The SSC determined setting individual acceptable biological catch limits for the managed species aligned best with the information in the stock assessment. Members pointed out that choosing an aggregated limit could lead to the same issue that occurred in 2019 when a previous assessment of the bottomfish complex indicated it was overfished and undergoing overfishing. 

The SSC also weighed in on accountability measures for the bottomfish fishery. Members agreed in-season monitoring using the creel survey would be challenging due to the data uncertainty. The SSC determined if the fishery does exceed the catch limit, then a post-season overage adjustment based on a three-year average would even out natural fluctuations between fishing years. To compensate for the overage, the Council could then recommend reducing the catch limit for the following time period.

Domingo Ochavillo, American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources representative, noted there is a general declining trend in the bottomfish fishery due to the high cost of operations and lingering impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. “Many highliners have left the fishery—with the high cost of fuel, fish are expensive to eat,” he said.

The SSC also discussed the need for a pre-implementation program for electronic monitoring (EM) in Pacific Island longline fisheries, including the benefits and drawbacks for use in the Hawai‘i deep-set or shallow-set longline fisheries, or the American Samoa longline fishery. The three fisheries have different levels of participation, percentage federal observer coverage and gear setting requirements (day vs. night). Considering these factors, the SSC supported the Council proceeding with a hybrid approach of the Hawai‘i deep-set and shallow-set longline fisheries. Further, the SSC supported the program’s primary goal to be protected species monitoring and estimation, with a secondary goal of monitoring discards. 

EM is intended to supplement, not replace, human observer coverage, which is still needed to obtain biological samples at sea, among other on-board duties. EM is expected to become more widespread in the future, especially for tuna fisheries. SSC member Shelton Harley is now the chair of the intersessional working group on electronic reporting and monitoring for the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. Harley commended the pre-implementation program document and stated that it provides a clear framework to successfully roll out EM in Western Pacific fisheries.

Western Pacific Scientists to Advise Fishery Management Council on American Samoa Bottomfish, Pacific Remote Islands Sanctuary

September 11, 2023 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Scientific advisors to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will meet Sept. 12-14, 2023, to provide advice and comments on American Samoa bottomfish stocks, the proposed Pacific Remote Islands (PRI) sanctuary, U.S. territorial bigeye tuna catch and allocation limits, and 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 at www.wpcouncil.org/event/149th-scientific-and-statistical-committee.

American Samoa Bottomfish Catch Limits for 2024-2026

The SSC will review new scientific information for nine American Samoa bottomfish management unit species to recommend an acceptable biological catch (ABC) for fishing years 2024-2026. The specifications would be based on the February 2023 benchmark stock assessment with catch projections to 2028, which is considered the best scientific information available. The SSC will also consider an August 2023 analysis of the risk of overfishing and scientific uncertainties in the 2023 assessment. 

The previous 2019 assessment indicated the bottomfish complex was overfished and undergoing overfishing, leading to a rebuilding plan that limited annual catches to below 5,000 pounds. However, using new methodology, the updated assessment shows that the bottomfish complex is no longer overfished or experiencing overfishing. The SSC may provide advice to the Council on the options for discontinuing the rebuilding plan, the ABC and accountability measures.

National Marine Sanctuary in PRI

The SSC will discuss updates on the proposed designation of a PRI sanctuary from the various federal agencies involved. The SSC may provide advice to the Council regarding: 1) the information required to potentially develop fishing regulations aligning with the proposed sanctuary’s goals and objectives, and 2) the adequacy of existing Council regulations from a scientific perspective and any necessary gap-filling measures.

In March 2023, President Biden directed the Secretary of Commerce to consider making the PRI Marine National Monument and additional areas within the U.S. exclusive economic zone into a national marine sanctuary. On June 23, the Council received the official sanctuary proposal, which requested the Council’s assistance in formulating fishing regulations.

The Council has existing fishing regulations for the PRI included in its Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) such as requirements for permits and reporting, gear restrictions and vessel limits. There are additional fishing regulations for the Monument that prohibit commercial fishing within 0-50 nautical miles around Howland, Baker and Jarvis Islands and Palmyra Atoll, and 0-200 nm around Johnston Atoll, Wake Island and Kingman Reef. 

Bigeye Tuna Management in the Pacific

At its September 2023 meeting, the Council will consider taking final action on the specification of the 2024 bigeye tuna limits for U.S. territories and catch transfer limits under the Pacific Pelagic FEP. The SSC will discuss a 2023 stock assessment and may provide advice to the Council regarding the continuation of the current annual specifications based on the new information.

The SSC members will also discuss and may provide input to the Council on several presentations about climate-related regional activities and funding priorities.

Recommendations made by the SSC will be considered by the Council when it meets Sept. 18-20, 2023, at the Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu. Instructions on connecting to the web conference, agendas and briefing documents are posted at www.wpcouncil.org/event/196th-council-meeting.

Western Pacific Region Status of the Fisheries 2022 report is now available!

August 30, 2023 — The following was released by Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

To monitor and evaluate fishery performance, the Council publishes annual reports for each of its five fishery ecosystem-based management plans. The publication highlights some of the changes in the U.S. Pacific Island fisheries from 2020 to 2022. Fishery statistics can be affected by numerous variables, including environmental changes and socioeconomic variables. In recent years, the impacts and subsequent recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic also affected fisheries in multiple ways. Some of these effects are described, in addition to recent stock statuses and management measures. Full reports and data used to generate the reports are available online.

Request for Proposals: Policy and Regulatory Analyst

July 25, 2023 — The following was released by Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council;

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (Council), established through Congress under the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MFCMA) of 1976, has the responsibility for preparing management plans for those fisheries within its jurisdiction. The Council has authority over the management of fisheries in the US Exclusive Economic Zone waters off of the Territories of American Samoa and Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the State of Hawaii and U.S. Pacific Remote Island Areas. 

The Council, composed of 16 public, State, and Federal members, meets at a minimum of four times a year to conduct its business. Funding for the Council is provided by Congress through grants administered by NOAA Fisheries.  The Council headed by an Executive Director with administrative and programmatic staff based in Hawaii and US Pacific Island Territories. The Council is soliciting proposals for contractual services on a time and materials basis as listed below.  

CONTRACT SERVICE:  Policy and Regulatory Analyst 

CONTRACT PERIOD:  The contract is expected to begin in August 2023 and end in December 2023. 

SCOPE OF WORK:  The Policy and Regulatory Analyst will assist the Council in supporting its programs in the Western Pacific Region.  A specific list of deliverables and timelines will be provided to potential contractors during the contractor interview and selection process. A list of potential deliverables under the contract is summarized below: 

  • A written report analyzing existing fishing policies, practices and regulations in the Western Pacific Region;
  • Prepare research memoranda to support development of proposed fishing regulations; 
  • Prepare meeting presentations and materials to support interactions between the Council, federal agency representatives, local fishing associations and clubs, and international organizations; and
  • Provide verbal reports to the Council staff and Executive Director concerning work products. 

ELIGIBILITY: The potential Contractor must: 

  • Possess a detailed working knowledge of the Magnuson-Steven Act and other policies, regulations, and guidance documents relating to marine resource management and conservation in the Pacific Island Region; 
  • Be familiar with the responsibilities of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council as well as Pacific Island community cultures and natural resources;
  • Be familiar with territorial fishery agencies, federal fishery agencies, and fishing and seafood communities in the Western Pacific;  
  • Possess sufficient skill and ability to work independently to produce written deliverables; and
  • Be available to commence work in August 2023, and complete work in December 2023. 

REQUIREMENTS: The contractor will work independently and coordinate with the Council program staff to meet deliverable timelines.  Proposals will be evaluated on a competitive basis based on the eligibility criteria as stated above.  The selected contractor will commence work in August, 2023. 

HOW TO APPLY: Proposal submissions should include a proposal including the following items (maximum 3 pages): (a) Name, affiliation, and contact information of the principal contractor(s); (b) a brief statement addressing the qualifications and requirements as stated; (c) contractor’s compensation rate, inclusive of all taxes and fees; and (d) a curriculum vitae or resume for each project participant. 

Proposals may be submitted by e-mail (attach materials in PDF files) to info@wpcouncil.org or regular mail to: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400 Honolulu, HI 96813.   

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Proposals will be accepted until August 15, 2023, or until a contractor is engaged, whichever is earlier.