Saving Seafood

American Samoa loses fishing rights decision in Ninth Circuit

April 2, 2021 — The American Samoa government was dealt a setback Friday last week when the Ninth Circuit Court reversed a decision that blocks large fishing vessels from fishing in a zone around their territory.

In 2016, the government of American Samoa claimed in a federal lawsuit the United States shrank a prohibited fishing zone around the South Pacific territory that was meant specifically for local fishers. The zone changed from 50 nautical miles to 12.

Boats larger than 50 feet were blocked from fishing and meant to avoid gear conflicts and competition between large fishing operations and local vessels.

American Samoa, through its status as an unorganized sovereign territory, is allowed a special right to maintain its traditions, culture and control of its lands and waters under a treaty signed in 1900 between several island chiefs and the U.S government.

But in 2016, the U.S. government said there was only one small vessel in the territory that was fishing in the waters — something the American Samoa government denied in its federal complaint filed in the District of Hawaii.

Read the full story at Marianas Variety

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).

WPFMC Leaders Express USCG Appreciation for Combatting IUU Fishing in Western Pacific Region

March 2, 2020 — Western Pacific Fishery Management Council Chair Taotasi Archie Soliai and Executive Director Kitty M. Simonds laud the US Coast Guard’s recent success in combating illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing in the Western Pacific Region.

On Monday, the Maritime Executive reported that for the first time since 2012, the Coast Guard’s Honolulu-based 14th District intercepted foreign vessels illegally operating within the U.S. exclusive economic zone waters off Guam and Hawai’i.

Read the full story at Seafood News

Tradition-Based Natural Resource Management: Practice and Application in the Hawaiian Islands

May 22, 2019 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council:

Palgrave Studies in Natural Resource Management has just announced the release of “Tradition-Based Natural Resource Management: Practice and Application in the Hawaiian Islands” by Ed Glazier. The book offers an overview of bottom-up management of natural resource management that can be applied globally; spotlights Native Hawaiian advocacy for traditional management of the island’s natural resources; and provides a framework for resource managers, scientists and policymakers as well as indigenous populations. It highlights the Aha Moku system of natural resource management.

In the Foreword, Kitty M. Simonds, executive director of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, writes: “From the resurgence of non-instrument navigation and traditional voyaging canoes to familiar activities like baby lua’u and other pa’ina (celebratory feastings), Ed shows that continuing and reclaiming the indigenous culture occurs on many levels and involves both Native Hawaiians and those who have come to call Hawai’i home.”

For more information, go to https://www.palgrave.com/us/book/9783030148416

Fisheries Hearing: Amata’s Amendment and a cosponsored bill passed by Committee

May 7, 2019 — Last week, Congresswoman Aumua Amata and the Natural Resources Committee conducted hearings and voted on a series of bills, including passage of an amendment by Rep. Amata, along with a bill affecting the Territories on which she was an original cosponsor.

The Water, Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee held a hearing examining the condition of U.S. fisheries.

“Fishing is the backbone of our economy in American Samoa, and a part of life in the islands,” said Amata. “The health and longevity of our fisheries is an important topic, and I respect the testimony of the witnesses. I also appreciate the insight of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, which most directly affects American Samoa. It’s important for Congress in setting policy to understand the stewardship role of fishery management and the differences in oversight of U.S. and international vessels.”

In other action, the full Committee on Natural Resources voted on a series of bills that were introduced recently, including passage of the bipartisan H.R. 1809, on which Rep. Amata is an original cosponsor. This bill would amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act, to provide parity for United States Territories, and is an effort to ensure equitable funding.

Read the full story at Samoa News

Commerce Department Announces Appointments to 3 Regional Fishery Management Councils

October 18, 2018 — The following was released by NOAA:

The U.S. Commerce Department today announced the reappointment of one and appointment of two new members to three regional fishery management councils. The new members will fill at-large seats that were recently vacated on the Western Pacific and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils. These seats became vacant in July 2018. The new members will serve through August 10, 2020. For the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the tribal member will fill an obligatory seat that was made vacant after the expiration of the term on August 11, 2018. The reappointed member will serve through August 10, 2021.

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act established the councils as stewards of the nation’s fisheries resources through the preparation of fishery management plans for their regions. NOAA Fisheries works closely with the councils through this process and then reviews, approves, and implements the plans. Council members represent diverse groups, including commercial and recreational fishing industries, environmental organizations and academia. They are vital to fulfilling the Act’s requirements to end overfishing, rebuild fish stocks, and manage them sustainably.

The Secretary selects members from nominations submitted by the governors of fishing states, territories, and tribal governments. Council members are appointed to both obligatory (state-specific) and at-large (regional) seats. Council members may be reappointed to serve three consecutive terms.

*Asterisks preceding a member’s name indicate a reappointment.
South Atlantic Council

The South Atlantic Council includes members from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The appointee will a vacant at-large seat.

At-Large seat:

Joseph D. Whitaker (South Carolina)

Pacific Council

The Pacific Council includes members from California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The Pacific Council also includes one Tribal seat. The appointee will fill a vacant Tribal seat.

Obligatory seat:

Joseph Y. Oatman* (Tribal)

Western Pacific Council

The Western Pacific Council includes members from American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The appointee will fill a vacant at-large seat.

At-Large seat:

Frederick McGrew Rice (Hawaii)

Read the full release here

NOAA Announces Out of Cycle Fisheries Council Appointments

October 17, 2018 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Today, NOAA Fisheries announced the appointment of three new members to the South Atlantic (SAFMC), Western Pacific (WPFMC) and Pacific (PFMC) regional fishery management councils that partner with NOAA Fisheries to manage ocean fish stocks. The newly appointed members on the WPFMC and SAFMC are filling at-large seats made vacant this July, and these members will serve through August 10, 2020. The other appointed member is filling the vacant Tribal seat on the PFMC. That member will serve until August 10, 2021.

View the list of of appointees here.