Saving Seafood

News for the Western Pacific Region

ISSF adds social and labor standards to membership requirements

November 24, 2020 — The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has added new labor and social standards to its requirements for member companies, which include tuna processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers, and more.

The new standard – Conservation Measure 9.1 Public Policy on Social and Labor Standards – will require any business associated with ISSF to develop, and publish, social and labor standards and/or a sourcing policy that applies to the entire supply chain, which addresses forced labor; child labor; freedom of association; wages, benefits, and employment contracts; working hours; health and safety; discrimination, harassment, and abuse; and grievance mechanisms. The policy must be public – meaning it must be at a minimum available to the general public.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Australia deploys new underwater technology to fight illegal fishing

November 23, 2020 — Australia has deployed a new underwater technology across the Torres Strait aimed at combating illegal foreign fishing, according to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

The Maritime Border Command (MBC), an agency within the Australian Border Force (ABF), was in charge of deploying the technology in partnership with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organizations (CSIRO), which developed the new hydrophones. The hydrophones are capable of detecting and logging vessel sounds, which can differentiate between different kinds of vessel activities.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

2020 Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Field Season Highlights: Celebrating Partners

November 20, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Typically, the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center deploys field teams during the spring and summer to the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. There, they conduct research and rescue activities for threatened green sea turtles and endangered Hawaiian monk seals at five key breeding sites: French Frigate Shoals, Laysan and Lisianski Islands, Pearl and Hermes Reef, and Kure Atoll. The teams also conduct surveys during short visits at the Nihoa and Mokumanamana (Necker) Islands and Midway Atoll. Due to the uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic, NOAA Fisheries decided to cancel this survey and field effort for 2020. Fortunately for the conservation of these species, our partners were able to step up and  salvage part of the 2020 field season. Data are also coming in from satellite tags on a handful of monk seals and a green turtle.

We have conducted field studies in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for 47 years for sea turtles and 36 years for monk seals. These islands and atolls are nesting habitat for more than 90 percent of Hawaiian green sea turtles and 75 percent of the Hawaiian monk seal population (about 1,100 seals). These invaluable long-term datasets provide current population statuses and trends and insight on how climate change is affecting these animals and their habitat. Combined, this information guides management and recovery actions.

Read the full release here

US ramping up pressure on China’s use of forced labor in distant-water fishing

November 19, 2020 — Fishery products from China and Taiwan have been added to a list of commodities associated with forced labor in the latest edition of a US government report on child and forced labour globally.

The 2020 edition of the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor – a report required by the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 – claims that the majority of workers on Chinese distant-water fishing vessels are migrants from Indonesia and the Philippines.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

RCEP trade deal opens new avenues for seafood exporters

November 19, 2020 — A new trade deal could open up Southeast Asia to Chinese e-commerce, while also boosting Association of Southeast Asian Nations [ASEAN] as an alternative to Chinese processors.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which was signed on 15 November, reduces barriers to trade between China and 15 Asian-Pacific countries. The partnership includes 10 Southeast Asian economies as well as Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia. It covers 2.1 billion people, with RCEP’s members accounting for around 30 percent of global GDP. Possibly the world’s biggest free-trading bloc, RCEP members account for almost a third of global economic activity.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

China COVID-19 restrictions to remain in place through January

November 17, 2020 — China’s testing of seafood for traces of COVID-19 will remain strict for the rest of the year, according to a leading marketing consultant in Shanghai.

Robin Wang, the CEO of SMH International, a seafood-focused marketing agency with offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong with clients including the Alaskan Seafood Marketing Institute, told SeafoodSource the move will negatively impact the broader food market in China.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Regional fisheries council to host education series

November 16, 2020 — The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will be hosting a series of meetings on fisheries management in offshore waters of Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and pacific remote island areas.

Unless noted otherwise, meetings for regional stakeholders will be held online. Check the council website for updates.

• American Samoa: Nov. 18, 5 to 7:30 p.m. (SST)

Major agenda items: American Samoa Bottomfish annual catch limits for 2020-2021 and stock rebuilding plan; Reasonable and prudent measures and/or reasonable and prudent alternatives for the American Samoa longline fisheries; advisory panel plans; and American Samoa fishery issues and activities.

• Mariana Archipelago – Guam: Nov. 19, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (ChST)

Major agenda items: Guam bottomfish stock rebuilding plan; advisory panel plans; and Guam fishery issues and activities.

Read the full story at the The Guam Daily Post

Summary of Action Items for the 184th WPRFMC Meeting

November 16, 2020 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

  1. Specification of Annual Catch Limit and Accountability Measures for the American Samoa Bottomfish Fishery for Fishing Years 2021-2022 (Initial Action)
  2. Options for the American Samoa Bottomfish Stock Rebuilding Plan (Initial Action)
  3. Options for the Guam Bottomfish Stock Rebuilding Plan (Initial Action)
  4. Reasonable and Prudent Measures and/or Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives for the Hawaii and American Samoa Longline Fisheries (Initial Action)
  5. Potential Catch Limits for North Pacific Striped Marlin (Initial Action)

The 184th meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will convene December 2-4, 2020, by web conference (Webex) with host sites at the following locations:

  • Cliff Pointe, 304 W. O’Brien Drive, Hagatna, Guam
  • BRI Building Suite 205, Kopa Di Oru St. Garapan, Saipan, MP
  • Tedi of Samoa Building Suite 208B, Fagatogo Village, American Samoa

The Webex link is https://tinyurl.com/184CouncilMtg (if prompted, password is CM184mtg).

The Council will consider and may take action on the issues summarized below (click here for a copy), including any public comments on them. Written public comments on all agenda items may be submitted for the record by email throughout the duration of the meeting to the email below.

Instructions for connecting to the Webex and providing oral public comments during the meeting will be posted on the Council website at www.wpcouncil.org/event/184th-council-meeting.

  • Mail: Kitty M. Simonds
    Executive Director
    WPRFMC
    1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400
    Honolulu, HI 96813
  • FAX: (808) 522-8226
  • E-mail: info@wpcouncil.org

Read the full release here

Sunken boats. Stolen gear. Fishermen are prey as China conquers a strategic sea

November 13, 2020 — On a warm, cloudless morning in June, a giant vessel blasted through the still waters of the South China Sea toward a wooden fishing boat painted in cerulean blue and flying the red flag of Vietnam.

The veteran fishing captain cranked up the engine to flee, but the approaching ship dropped two motorized dinghies into the sea with uniformed officers aboard. The rubber crafts raced along either side of the fishing boat, squeezing it like a pincer.

As the captain slowed to avoid a collision, the large ship was soon upon them. The large letters across its steel hull read: China.

Crammed into their cabin for safety, the 17 men were knocked to the deck by a jolt that nearly tipped the boat. Then another. And another. “Like war,” recalled crew member Nguyen Day.

Read the full story at the Los Angeles Times

WPRFMC 2020 Public Meetings Notice

November 13, 2020 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council announces the following public meetings on fisheries management in offshore waters of Hawai‘i (HI), American Samoa (AS), Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Pacific Remote Island Areas (PRIA). Unless otherwise noted, the meetings will be held by web conference. Host sites are subject to local and federal safety and health guidelines regarding COVID-19; check the Council website for updates. All times listed are local island times. For more information on the virtual meeting connection and complete agendas, click on the meeting title, go to www.wpcouncil.org/meetings-calendars, email info@wpcouncil.org, fax (808) 522-8226 or phone (808) 522-8220.

AS Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Advisory Panel (AP)
Nov. 18 (W) 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (SST)
Major agenda items: AS Bottomfish annual catch limits for 2020-2021 and stock rebuilding plan; Reasonable and prudent measures (RPMs) and/or reasonable and prudent alternatives (RPAs) for the AS longline (ASLL) fisheries; AP plans; and AS fishery issues and activities.

Mariana Archipelago FEP-Guam AP
Nov. 19 (Th) 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (ChST)
Major agenda items: Guam bottomfish stock rebuilding plan; AP plans; and Guam fishery issues and activities.

Pacific Pelagic FEP Plan Team
Nov. 19 (Th) 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (HST)
Major agenda items: Oceanic whitetip shark report; North Pacific striped marlin rebuilding measures; and RPMs and/or RPAs for the HI deep-set longline (DSLL) and ASLL fisheries.

HI Archipelago FEP AP
Nov. 20 (F) 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (HST)
Major agenda items: Options for including tori lines in HI longline fishery seabird mitigation measures; RPMs and/or RPAs for the HI DSLL and ASLL fisheries; False killer whale take and recovery plans; AP plans; and HI fishery issues and activities.

Mariana Archipelago FEP-CNMI AP
Nov. 21 (Sat) 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (ChST)
Major agenda items: Guam bottomfish stock rebuilding plan; AP plans; and CNMI fishery issues and activities.

138th Scientific & Statistical Committee
Direct link to meeting: https://tinyurl.com/138SSCMtg. If prompted, password is SSC138mtg.
Nov. 30 – Dec. 1 (M – T) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (HST)
Major agenda items: RPMs and/or RPAs for the HI DSLL and ASLL fisheries (action item); North Pacific striped marlin catch limits (action item); American Samoa bottomfish acceptable biological catch for fishing year 2021-2022 (action item); and American Samoa and Guam bottomfish rebuilding plans (action items).

Pelagic & International Standing Committee
Dec. 1 (T) 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (HST)
Major agenda items: North Pacific striped marlin catch and/or effort limits (action item); and RPMs and/or RPAs for the HI DSLL and ASLL fisheries (action item).

Executive & Budget Standing Committee
Dec. 1 (T) 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (HST) (4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. closed to public)
Major agenda items: Financial and administrative matters; Council family changes; Litigation update; and Officer election.

184th Council Meeting
Direct link to meeting: https://tinyurl.com/184CouncilMtg. If prompted, password is CM184mtg.
Host sites: Cliff Pointe, 304 W. O’Brien Drive, Hagatna, Guam
BRI Bldg., Suite 205, Kopa Di Oru St., Garapan, Saipan, CNMI
Tedi of Samoa Bldg., Suite 208B, Fagatogo Village, AS
Dec. 2 – 4 (W – F) 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (HST)

Major agenda items: North Pacific striped marlin catch and/or effort limits (action item); RPMs and/or RPAs for the HI DSLL and ASLL fisheries (action item); American Samoa bottomfish annual catch limits for fishing year 2021-2022 (action item); and American Samoa and Guam bottomfish rebuilding plans (action items).