Saving Seafood

Ban On Longliners Using Wire Leaders Takes Effect Next Month To Protect Sharks

May 2, 2022 — A new regulation prohibiting the use of wire leaders in longline fisheries is expected to increase the survival of hooked oceanic whitetip sharks by up to 30%.

The regulation takes effect on May 31 this year and will replace wire leaders — short lengths of wire that stop fish from biting themselves free from hooks — with nylon alternatives. Plastic leaders give sharks a better chance of survival because they can bite themselves free, or fishermen can cut them loose with greater ease.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration regulation comes after the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and Hawaii Longline Association started addressing the issue in 2020.

Read the full story at the Honolulu Civil Beat

 

WPFMC trying to tackle suite of issues, criticizes lack of NOAA support

April 8, 2022 — The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (WPFMC) is trying to tackle multiple problems faced in its jurisdiction, including ineffective whale bycatch solutions, U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultations, creating more-equitable fisheries, and issues regarding fishery rights in American Samoa.

The council has been working to tackle how to handle false killer whale bycatch in the region’s tuna fisheries – mainly in Hawai’i and American Samoa. In 2013, a plan to use weaker circle hooks that are 4.5 millimeters or less in diameter was created. The weaker hooks were supposed straighten and release whales caught while still remaining strong enough to hook bigeye tuna and other marketable fish species.

Read the full story at SeafoodSource

 

Western Pacific Council Asks for Remedies to ESA Consultation Delays, Monument Management Plans

March 29, 2022 — Endangered Species Act consultations through NMFS takes time, but the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is tired of waiting.

Council Chair Archie Soliai reiterated concerns about NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Office delays in completing ESA consultations for the region’s longline and bottomfish fisheries when the Council met last week.

“Our experience with ESA consultations over the last several years have left us with the impression that our Council process is not respected,” Soliai said in a press release. “The Council is here to ensure the sustainability of our region’s fishery resources as mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. We ask PIRO to provide us with realistic timelines and meaningful dialogue, so we may work together to complete these biological opinions and ensure that our fisheries can continue to operate in compliance with ESA.”

The Council said it will convey its concerns to Janet Coit, assistant administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), requesting assistance so biological opinions are completed in coordination with the Council.

Read the full story at Seafood News

WPRFMC Asks for Remedies to Long-Standing Issues in Western Pacific Region

March 25, 2022 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

At the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council meeting today, Chair Archie Soliai reiterated concerns about NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) delays in completing Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultations for the region’s longline and bottomfish fisheries.

“Our experience with ESA consultations over the last several years have left us with the impression that our Council process is not respected,” emphasized Soliai. “The Council is here to ensure the sustainability of our region’s fishery resources as mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Act.” Soliai added, “We ask PIRO to provide us with realistic timelines and meaningful dialogue, so we may work together to complete these biological opinions and ensure that our fisheries can continue to operate in compliance with ESA.”

The Council will convey its concerns to Janet Coit, assistant administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), requesting assistance so biological opinions are completed in coordination with the Council.

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The Council believes the existing Mariana Trench Marine National Monument (MTMNM) management plan should be implemented ahead of any national marine sanctuary nomination in the Marianas, as it may provide protections the nomination seeks. The MTMNM boundaries, including the omission of the water column, already reflects the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana (CNMI) government’s management needs.

Council comments in February to NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) on the 5-year nomination review, explained the MTMNM greatly reduced the need for sanctuary protection. Concerns in the proposed sanctuary, such as fishing regulations, are already addressed through the MTMNM management plan and Magnuson-Stevens Act. Foreign fishing is prohibited.

“ONMS needs to be clear about what is proposed,” said Michael Tenorio, CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife fisheries supervisor. “The nomination seems to allude to closing fishing to the community and it’s causing confusion.”

The Council asked NOAA to remove the proposed sanctuary from the national inventory and assist Friends of the Mariana Trench Monument with developing a revised proposal vetted through the CNMI and Guam communities. This would create a stronger proposal with broad community support, one of the 11 evaluation criteria for inclusion on the inventory list. The CNMI Governor Ralph DLG Torres and other community members have expressed strong opposition to the proposed marine sanctuary plan.

The public comment period has been extended to April 25, and comments can be submitted at www.regulations.gov/document/NOAA-NOS-2022-0005-0034.

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Equity and environmental justice (EEJ) is a priority for the Council, and influences all programs, approaches and actions. The Council raised EEJ-related issues and opportunities throughout the meeting this week.

“I think this is very important and am glad it’s finally coming to fruition after 30 years,” said Monique Amani, Council member from Guam, referencing when the EJ social movement began. “I fully support this initiative – we’re part of the United States, but the services and investments to our communities aren’t always the same for the territories,” she added.

The Council approved a draft Western Pacific EEJ approach and will develop a regional strategy to direct future work. Together with the Council’s new Pacific strategy to advocate for equitable fisheries in the region, our fishing communities will be better positioned to benefit across global, regional and national landscapes.

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The Council recommended NMFS clarify a 2015 notice of proposed rule-making that would acknowledge an American Samoa purse seine fleet, distinct from a U.S. fleet. A proposed rule is expected in April 2022.

American Samoa does not have direct access to the high seas and most purse seine fishing effort occurs within waters of small island states and tropical waters north of the territory. However, American Samoa is home to a tuna cannery that is the territory’s most important private employer.

In 2015, Tri Marine purse seine vessels petitioned the United States to remove high seas fishing limits for vessels that offload at least 50% of their catch in American Samoa, citing Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) fishing restrictions that impede their ability to support the territory’s economy. NMFS denied the petition in October 2015, but stated it could reconsider taking action if there was evidence that WCPFC restrictions have a negative impact on the territory’s economy.

“Seven years have passed and American Samoa’s dire situation is self-evident with the exodus of U.S. vessels and the need to supply our cannery,” said Council Chair Archie Soliai. PIRO Regional Administrator Michael Tosatto was unable to provide specifics on proposed regulations.

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The Council appointed the following officers for 2022: Archie Soliai, chair; Will Sword, American Samoa vice chair; John Gourley, CNMI vice chair; Manny Duenas, Guam vice chair; and Roger Dang, Hawai‘i vice chair.

 

Western Pacific Council Supports Protection of False Killer Whales, Leads US Fisheries Interests in Pacific

March 24, 2022 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council discussed today its position on the future direction for the False Killer Whale (FKW) Take Reduction Plan and agreed to not support adoption of weaker hooks under the Plan due to the potential economic impacts and lack of clear conservation benefit. 

Fishermen are required to use 4.5 mm or less diameter circle hooks intended to straighten and release accidentally hooked FKWs, while retaining bigeye tuna and other fish species of market value. However, this weak hook has not been successful, with only approximately 10% of the interactions resulting in the hook straightening since the Plan’s implementation in 2013. A 2021 study showed that the weight and value of bigeye tuna may be reduced if even weaker hooks are required in the fishery. 

“Weak hooks are not the best way to reduce the false killer whale interactions with the Hawai‘i fleet,” emphasized Roger Dang, Council vice chair for Hawai‘i. “Considering the prices of fuel and bait are up, any economic impacts from using weaker hooks would increase the difficulties in operating under these conditions. We need to focus our limited resources on what we believe will have the greatest impact.”

Council member McGrew Rice pointed out that a weak circle hook will not straighten if the hook is caught in the corner of the animal’s mouth. “The key is to cut the line close to the hook. A hook in a mouth will not kill a fish.”

The Council said the Plan’s priority should be to develop strategies to reduce trailing gear and find solutions to reduce depredation based on the latest FKW abundance estimates and other factors. The Council’s position was also based on input from its advisory groups. 

The Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery interacts with the pelagic population of FKWs, estimated to be approximately 25,000 in the central Pacific around Hawai‘i, with 2,100 individuals estimated to occur inside the three to 200-mile exclusive economic zone around the State.

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Council members expressed frustration at the continued delay of the Endangered Species Act consultations for the Hawai‘i deep-set longline (DSLL), American Samoa longline (ASLL), and Hawai‘i and territory bottomfish fisheries. Completion dates have been shifting with every Council meeting report for the last two years. Michael Tosatto, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regional administrator for the Pacific Islands, reported that the current dates presented at the meeting (April to May 2022) are unlikely to be met. Apparently  reported that the current dates presented at the meeting (April to May 2022) are unlikely to be met. Apparently internal and external review steps are required. The Council asked NMFS to provide a timeline for Council’s draft review to assist with planning for advisory body meeting schedules.

Call for US Government to Work Better with Pacific Island Nations

The Council, with representatives from U.S. tuna industries, developed a paper that calls for a task force of federal agencies to work together to implement a new Pacific strategy. The paper’s holistic approach addresses greater U.S. trade and national security interests and how they are tied to the prosperity of U.S. tuna fisheries in the Pacific.

The Council endorsed the new Pacific strategy and recommended the U.S. delegations to the WCPFC coordinate with longline and purse seine fishing industries to implement it. Coordination efforts should lead toward an increase in the Hawai‘i longline fishery’s bigeye tuna quota and enhance opportunities for the American Samoa longline and purse seine fisheries. The U.S. government should ensure U.S. Pacific Island Territories take an active role in developing and implementing these objectives.

In American Samoa, Starkist cannery is the largest private employer. Will Sword, Council vice chair for American Samoa, noted the Council’s Pacific strategy is just what is needed. “It’s imperative to get the U.S. government and state and territory governments working closely with other Pacific Islands to implement a strategy that meets our goals,” said Sword.

“The current playing field is not level for American Samoa because our purse seine fleet is not seeing the benefits that we deserve as a territory” added Archie Soliai, Council chair from American Samoa. “The United States should take seriously the needs of its territories and this plan will help to move this forward.”

The Council recommended a letter be sent to the State Department and NOAA expressing concerns regarding the lack of acknowledgement of American Samoa’s rights afforded to small island developing States (SIDS) in the WCPFC. Under Articles 30 and 43 of the WCPFC Convention, SIDS and Territories receive certain benefits recognizing their aspirations and sovereign rights to manage their own fisheries. They are entitled to special provisions to prevent “disproportionate burdens” from conservation action.

The Council also recommended a letter be sent to the Biden Administration in response to its request for comment on development of its Indo-Pacific Strategy. The letter should reinforce the importance of fisheries to the Pacific Islands and the uniqueness of the Pacific Islands to the Indo-Pacific.

The Council meeting concludes tomorrow with discussions on American Samoa bottomfish and aquaculture management, and equity and environmental justice efforts, among other topics. Instructions on connecting to Webex, agendas and briefing documents are posted at www.wpcouncil.org/meetings-calendars. 

 

Hawaii Longline Fishing Recovering from COVID-19

March 23, 2022 — Hawaii’s longline fishery became more active in 2021 as the state began its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, but the increase didn’t necessarily lead to more fish caught.

Commercial fish catch in Hawaii plummeted in 2020 as the coronavirus forced the closure of hotels, restaurants and other businesses, and along with them the demand for fish.

But Hawaii’s economy has been slowly returning to form, and in 2021 the state’s 146 longline fishing vessels made 1,734 fishing trips, up from the 1,679 in 2020.

Additionally, the vessels set out 63.5 million hooks during their fishing trips — a record number for the industry, said Russell Ito, a fishery biologist for the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center.

Ito on Wednesday presented an annual report on Hawaii’s longline fishery to the Scientific and Statistical Committee, an advisory body to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.

Read the full story at Seafood News

Federal Fishery Managers to Develop Fishing Regulations for Proposed Hawai‘i National Marine Sanctuary

March 23, 2022 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council said at its meeting today it will develop fishing regulations as part of the proposed Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) sanctuary designation. The NOAA sanctuary designation process includes a formal consultation with the regional fishery management councils on fisheries regulations at the start of the process. The Council will include options for permitting and reporting requirements for commercial (outside current monument boundaries), noncommercial, Native Hawaiian practices and research fishing within sanctuary boundaries.

Several Council members noted that since the proposed sanctuary boundaries are still undefined, the Council response and draft regulations should be kept broad. Matt Ramsey, Council member from Hawai‘i, remarked, “It’s important to have a clear understanding of what is being proposed for the sanctuary boundary. If it expands beyond the area that already restricts commercial fishing that is a completely different story.”

“I support moving ahead,” said John Gourley, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) vice chair. “We have enough areas closed to fishing and should develop fishing regulations under Magnuson-Stevens Act when allowed.”

The Council will amend its Hawai‘i Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan to analyze fishing alternatives in parallel to the sanctuary fishing regulations.

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After reviewing recent data, the Council recommended rolling over the current annual catch limits for the main Hawaiian Islands deepwater shrimp (Heterocarpus laevigatus and H. ensifer) and precious corals for fishing years 2022-2025.

The Council also requested the National Marine Fisheries Service provide information to the State of Hawai‘i legislature regarding HB 1988 that proposes to prohibit the harvest, sale, import or export of coral products. Exceptions would be allowed for noncommercial harvest or research purposes. Included in the bill’s list of species are the Council’s precious coral managed species (pink, red, bamboo and black). The language may be inconsistent with federal regulations that allow commercial harvest of precious corals, and would essentially close the sustainably managed fishery.

The Council meeting continues tomorrow with discussions on a new Pacific strategy to address international fisheries issues and implications of a false killer whale weak hook study, among other topics. Instructions on connecting to Webex, agendas and briefing documents are posted at www.wpcouncil.org/meetings-calendars. 

The Council manages federal fisheries operating in waters offshore of the State of Hawai‘i, the Territories of American Samoa and Guam, the CNMI and the U.S. Pacific Remote Islands Areas.

 

WPRFMC Scientists Discuss Next Generation Data Collection, New Strategy to Advocate for Fisheries

March 21, 2022 — Fisheries data collection in remote areas, particularly islands spread hundreds of miles apart, is challenging. Scientists from Hawaii and those informing the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council are looking for answers.

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Director Michael Seki presented the NOAA Next Generation Data Acquisition Plan (NG-DAP) to the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee this week. The Plan will guide data acquisition for the next 10 to 15 years. The fisheries and technologies to gather data have evolved and regional data needs have changed since the last plan was released in 1998, the Council said. The NG-DAP will use innovative technologies, modern fishery information collection systems, artificial and machine learning and advanced modeling tools to account for climate change, emerging ocean uses and ecosystem-based fisheries management.

While the NG-DAP is a nationwide effort, the plan will point out regional needs and highlight opportunities for potential partners and collaborators. NOAA plans to hold public workshops later this spring to gather input from stakeholders. The SSC noted that meetings should include fishing communities in the territories.

The Western Pacific Region is still challenged by data limitations due to little federal investment in collecting basic fishery-dependent data and life history information for the benefit of local underserved communities. The Council and SSC have, over the years, continuously identified research needs to the National Marine Fisheries Service, focusing on island and pelagic fisheries, ecosystems, protected species and human communities in order to sustainably manage fisheries in the region.

Read the full story at Seafood News

Scientists Say NMFS Study Determined to be Inconclusive in Western Pacific Longline Fishery

March 18, 2022 — Sorry, Charlie: Weak hooks in the Hawai’i deep-set longline fishery for bigeye tuna won’t reduce impacts to false killer whales, scientists said when they met virtually this week.

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee found that a National Marine Fisheries Service 2021 “weak hook” study was inconclusive. Further, it did not provide scientific support for adopting weaker hooks as the primary strategy for reducing impacts to false killer whales, the WPRFMC said in a press release.

The study investigated the economic impacts of existing weak (4.5 mm diameter) and comparatively weaker (4.2 mm) hooks on target catch, primarily bigeye tuna. The study results showed the weight and value of bigeye tuna was higher for those caught on existing hooks than the weaker hooks.

Read the full story at Seafood News

US Pacific Scientists Discuss Next Generation Data Collection, New Pacific Strategy to Advocate for Fisheries

March 18, 2022 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

At the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting this week, the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) Director Michael Seki presented the NOAA Next Generation Data Acquisition Plan (NG-DAP) that will guide data acquisition for the next 10 to 15 years. The fisheries and technologies to gather data have evolved and regional data needs have changed since the last plan was released in 1998. The NG-DAP will use innovative technologies, modern fishery information collection systems, artificial and machine learning and advanced modeling tools to account for climate change, emerging ocean uses and ecosystem-based fisheries management.

While the NG-DAP is a nationwide effort, the plan will point out regional needs and highlight opportunities for potential partners and collaborators. NOAA plans to hold public workshops in spring 2022 to gather input from stakeholders. The SSC noted that meetings should include fishing communities in the territories.

The Western Pacific Region is still challenged by data limitations due to little federal investment in collecting basic fishery-dependent data and life history information for the benefit of local underserved communities. Over the years, to sustainably manage the fisheries the Council and its SSC have continuously identified research needs to the National Marine Fisheries Service focusing on island and pelagic fisheries, ecosystems, protected species and human communities.

The Council has been on the forefront of improving data collection in the region through creation of an electronic reporting app and piloting numerous data collection projects. The Council recently partnered with PIFSC and the American Samoa Dept. of Marine and Wildlife Resources to convene a series of data workshops in the territory that highlighted deficiencies in data collection and could be addressed in the NG-DAP.

The SSC discussed a new strategy for addressing Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) issues through a holistic approach engaging multiple federal departments to advocate for fisheries. Council staff and the U.S. tuna industries developed a paper that emphasizes the importance of fisheries to Pacific Island communities and strategic importance to U.S. interests.

The SSC recommended that U.S. delegations to WCPFC subcommittees coordinate to address objectives of the Pacific strategy and ensure that U.S. Pacific Island Territories and the Commonwealth take an active role in developing and implementing them. “The voices of smaller island nations, including American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands should not be ignored in these discussions,” said Debra Cabrera.

Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds said the East-West Center in Honolulu and the U.S. House Pacific Islands Caucus have launched a “Pacific Islands Matter for America/America Matters for the Pacific Islands” initiative exploring similar issues. 

The Biden Administration is seeking public comment on development of an Indo-Pacific strategy. In December, the Council recommended any such Pacific strategy incorporate fishery interests into achieving national objectives. The Council noted that a lack of a favorable tropical tuna management measure for U.S. fisheries within the WCPFC indicates a loss of stature for the United States in the Pacific.

SSC member Ray Hilborn and Dan Ovando, both of the University of Washington, presented two studies* on the utility of area-based management strategies, including marine protected areas (MPAs), to achieve conservation objectives. The studies reinforce a need for monitoring and adapting MPAs to ensure they are achieving stated objectives, and that dynamic fishery closures are superior to static MPAs in meeting objectives with minimal costs to fisheries. 

“When closing 30% of fishing areas using a dynamic approach, bycatch can be reduced by 57% without sacrificing loss to optimal yield, compared to 16% reductions in bycatch using a static approach,” said Ray Hilborn speaking on a study he coauthored earlier this year.

Recommendations made by the SSC on these and other matters will be considered by the Council when it meets virtually March 22-24, 2022. Due to the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic, the public host site in American Samoa has been cancelled. Host sites in Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam remain open: BRI Building, Suite 205, Kopa Di Oru St., Garapan, Saipan, CNMI; and Cliff Pointe, 304 W. O’Brien Dr., Hagatña, Guam. Council meeting agenda and briefing documents are posted at https://www.wpcouncil.org/event/190th-council-meeting-virtual. To connect to the web conference, go to https://tinyurl.com/CM190mtg. 

*https://tinyurl.com/AreaBasedManagement,

https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/cobi.13782