Council Actions

October 29, 2014 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

Please click http://www.nefmc.org/calendar/november-2014-council-meeting to access the New England Fishery Management Council's November 2014 meeting agenda. The meeting will be held at the Newport Hotel in Newport, RI. Please note it will run for four days, Nov. 17 beginning at 1 p.m. through Nov. 20. Groundfish issues are scheduled to be discussed on Tuesday afternoon and all day on Wednesday. If you have questions contact Pat Fiorelli at pfiorelli@nefmc.org or at 978.465.0492, ext. 106.

View a PDF of the agenda here

October 28, 2014 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s American Eel Management Board approved Addendum IV to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan. The Addendum establishes a 907,671 pound coastwide quota for yellow eel fisheries, reduces Maine’s glass eel quota to 9,688 pounds (2014 landings), and allows for the continuation of New York’s silver eel weir fishery in the Delaware River.
 
For yellow eel fisheries, the coastwide quota will be implemented for the 2015 fishing year but will not initially include state-specific allocations. Instead, the Addendum establishes two management triggers: (1) exceeding coastwide quota by more than 10% in a given year, or (2) exceeding the coastwide quota for two consecutive years regardless of the percent overage. If either one of the triggers are met then states would implement state-specific allocation based on average landings from 2011-2013.
 
Maine will continue to maintain daily trip level reporting and require a pound-for-pound payback in the event of quota overages in its glass eel fishery. Additionally, the state will implement a fishery-independent life cycle survey covering glass, yellow and silver eels within at least one river system. The Addendum specifies that these requirements would also be required for any jurisdiction with a commercial glass eel fishery harvesting more than 750 pounds.
 
Addendum IV provides states/jurisdictions the ability to request limited participation in the glass eel fishery based on conservation programs enacted after January 1, 2011, and given there is an overall benefit to American eel populations. Examples of conservation programs include, but are not limited to, habitat restoration projects, fish passage improvements, or fish passage construction. The Addendum also provides opportunities for a limited glass eel harvest for domestic aquaculture purposes and allows the continuation of New York’s Delaware River silver eel weir fishery under a transferable license cap, limited to nine permits annually.
 
The Board’s actions respond to the findings of the 2012 benchmark stock assessment indicating the American eel population in U.S. waters is depleted. The stock has declined in recent decades and the prevalence of significant downward trends in multiple surveys across the coast is cause for concern. Causes of decline are likely due to a combination of factors including historical overfishing, habitat loss, food web alterations, predation, turbine mortality, environmental changes, toxins and contaminants, and disease. Addendum IV is the second phase of management action in response to the stock assessment.
 
The Addendum will be posted to the Commission’s website by mid-November under Breaking News. For more information, please contact Kate Taylor, Senior FMP Coordinator, at ktaylor@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.      

 

October 27, 2014 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council concluded its three-day 161st meeting yesterday in Honolulu, voting to maintain its previous recommendation of 346,000 pounds for the 2014-2015 annual catch limit (ACL) for main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) Deep 7 bottomfish. 

The MHI Deep 7 fishery is the only one of its kind in the State of Hawai`i after a Presidential proclamation created a marine national monument and banned fishing in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The Deep 7 fishery consists of a complex of six deep-water snappers and one grouper, including prized `opakapaka and onaga. The Deep 7 bottomfish are featured in signature dishes by local restaurants serving Hawai`i Pacific cuisine and are culturally significant in Hawai`i.

The Council made its original ACL recommendation to the Secretary of Commerce in June of this year, based upon a 2011 stock assessment. In late August 2014, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) advised the Council that the "best available" data is a 2014 draft stock assessment from the NMFS Pacific Islands Fishery Science Center. National Standard 2 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires the use of best available information when making federal fishery management decisions. However, the Council, its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and Hawai`i Deep 7 bottomfish fishermen argue that the 2014 assessment is not the best "available" data because it has not been independently peer-reviewed and its validity is questionable.

Yesterday, Deep 7 bottomfish fishermen provided testimony to the Council. Fresh off the boat from 30-hour fishing trips, flying in at their own expense from neighbor islands and giving up a day of work on the water, they noted that the NMFS proposal to utilize NMFS's 2014 draft assessment would reduce their ACL by about 85,000 pounds. That reduction would equate to about 25 percent of their income for the fishing year that began Sept. 1, 2014, and ends Aug. 31, 2015.

The Council and its SSC had considered the 2014 draft stock assessment at their June 2014 meetings. However, they, along with the bottomfish fishermen attending the meetings, questioned the catch-per-unit-effort standardization model used in the 2014 draft assessment and argued that it was in need of independent peer-review. NMFS at that time said that the bottomfish fishermen would be consulted.

In making its decision yesterday, the Council noted that the fishery is not overfished or experiencing overfishing, that both the 2011 and 2014 stock assessments show the MHI bottomfish biomass trending upward and the conservative life history information of `opakapaka was used as a proxy for the stock complex. In addition, the Council said NMFS should consult fishermen and other members of the public prior to independent review of the 2014 draft assessment and, for future assessments, incorporate additional types of data (such as size data), explore ways to further divide the species complex into small groups or individual species and consider changes in technological efficiency and potential bottomfish biomass in the State of Hawai`i's bottomfish restricted fishing areas. 

The Council made several recommendations to NMFS regarding international management of tuna and other migratory pelagic species in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). The Council urged NMFS, as the head of the US delegation to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), to be strong in its support of the Hawai`i and American Samoa longline and other US fisheries. The WCPFC is scheduled to meet Dec. 1 to 5, 2014, in Apia, Samoa. The Council recommended that the US Delegation advocate for the following at that meeting: 

– To address overfishing of bigeye tuna in the WCPO: a) An amendment to conservation and management measure (CMM) 2013-01 to make measures applicable to purse-seine vessels more effective in reducing juvenile catches; this would include full purse-seine closure periods and purse-seine bigeye catch limits or purse-seine set limits on fish aggregation devices commensurate with 2010 levels; and b) No further reductions to the US longline bigeye catch limit, because catch quotas on the longline fishery sector have been reduced substantially since 2008, whereas purse-seine bigeye catch has steadily increased.

– To address the overfishing and overfished condition of North Pacific striped marlin in the WCPO: a) Development of CMMs that will end overfishing and lead to stock recovery, such as fishing at a constant catch of 3,600 metric tons (mt) as noted in the 2012 stock assessment, and b) measures that establish limits of not more than 500 mt for any Commission members and Participating Territories with a history of catching less than 500 mt of striped marlin.

– South Pacific albacore management: A more effective and comprehensive CMM for the species.

Regarding domestic measures for these species, the Council made the following recommendations, among others:

– Bigeye tuna: a) Realignment of the bigeye assessments to reflect the biology of bigeye and the spatial distribution of the fisheries and tag recaptures. In particular, tag recaptures around Hawai`i could be used to distinguish a sub-region encompassing the extent of the Hawai`i longline fishery; b) Analyses for the specification of 2015 Territory longline bigeye limits including catch and allocation limits.

– North Pacific striped marlin: Establishment of an overall limit of 457 mt and a limit of 434 mt of striped marlin applicable to the Hawai`i longline fishery (i.e., 95 percent of the 457 mt limit). In the event that the 434 mt limit is reached, the Hawai`i longline fishery would not be allowed to retain striped marlin. There were no striped marlin restrictions recommended for other Hawai`i fisheries (e.g., troll and handline), which account for less than 5 percent of total commercial striped marlin catch.

– South Pacific albacore: Initial action to establish a provisional longline South Pacific albacore limit of 5,418 mt applicable to the US exclusive economic zone around American Samoa.

Among other actions taken by the Council today are the following.

– 2015 ACLs for bottomfish fishery in American Samoa, Guam and CNMI: The Council recommended ACLs of 101,000 pounds, 66,800 pounds and 228,000 pounds, respectively. These are the same ACLs as 2014. The Council noted that the catch comprised a small proportion of the existing limit, there was no significant change in the fishery or the management of this fishery and there is no new scientific information to change the existing limits. A new assessment is scheduled for 2015.

– Coral reef fish, crustacean and MHI non-Deep 7 bottomfish: The Council modified the ACL for Siganidae (rabbit fish) in American Samoa and Guam for 2014. The ACL in American Samoa increased from 163 to 200 pounds, while the ACL for rabbit fish in Guam dropped from 19,200 to 18,600 pounds.

– Hawai`i yellowfin and bigeye tuna commercial size limits: The Council recommended research on yellowfin harvest rates, utilization and socio-economic issues related to catch, and market flow of small tuna in Hawai`i.

For more on the Council actions, email info.wpcouncil@noaa.gov or phone (808) 522-8220. The Council was established by Congress under the MSA in 1976 to manage domestic fisheries operating seaward of State waters around Hawai`i, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the US Pacific Island Remote Island Areas. Recommendations by the Council are transmitted to the Secretary of Commerce for final approval.

 

October 27, 2014 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The October 2014 Council Meeting Report is now available on the Council's website at www.mafmc.org/newsfeed/2014/october-council-meeting-report .

Issues Addressed:
    •    Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Cost Recovery Amendment
    •    Forage Fish White Paper
    •    River Herring and Shad
    •    Omnibus Observer Funding Amendment
    •    Vessel Baseline Amendment
    •    Spiny Dogfish Specifications
    •    Amendment 9 to the Consolidated Highly Migratory Species FMP

Briefing materials, presentations, and webinar recordings from the meeting are available on the October 2014 Council Meeting page.

October 24, 2014 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Meeting materials for the November 4 & 5, 2014 meetings of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Northern Shrimp Advisory Panel and Section are now available at http://www.asmfc.org/files/Meetings/NShrimpSection_AP_MeetingMaterials_Nov2014.pdf.
At its November 5 meeting, the Northern Shrimp Section will consider approval of the Public Information Document (PID) for Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Northern Shrimp for public comment. The Section will also review the stock status of northern shrimp and set specifications for the 2015 fishing season.  For more information, please contact Marin Hawk, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at 703.842.0740.

 

October 23, 2014 — The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council voted Thursday to approve Reef fish Amendment 40. The move's purpose is to improve Recreational Red Snapper Fishing.

The Amendment will distinguish the number of fish caught by commercial and recreational fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico, a move not supported by many. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, the allocation to the Recreational Sector will be divided 49 percent between these two divisions.

"I have grave concerns that the failure of leadership from NOAA's representative in the Gulf has reached a breaking point, and that they're siding with the special interests groups based in New York, instead of what's best for the public," Louisiana Senator David Vitter said.

Chris Dorsett, Vice President for Programs and Policy at Ocean Conservancy Chris Dorsett gives his reasons for supporting the amendment.

"Ocean Conservancy, fishermen, scientists, managers and everyone who has a stake in a healthy Gulf of Mexico have reason to be heartened by the council's decision," Dorsett said in a statement. "Amendment 40 separates the quantities of red snapper caught by private recreational fishermen and charter for hire captains who provide access to fishing to the non-boat owning public. This decision enables a much more tailored approach to ensuring that red snapper populations in the Gulf are healthy for generations to come.

Read the full story at the Biloxi-Gulfport Sun Herald

October 24, 2014 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC):

Council Members Elected for 2014-2015

As its first order of business at the September 30 – October 2 Council meeting in Hyannis, MA, the Council elected officers for the upcoming year. Last year’s Chair, Terry Stockwell and Vice Chair, Dr. John Quinn,  were each named by acclamation last month to again serve in their respective positions.

Mr. Stockwell, who been the Council’s Vice Chair for a number of years, is the Director of External Affairs at the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Dr. Quinn is a former Massachusetts legislator and the Director of Public Interest Law Programs at UMASS Dartmouth’s School of Law.

Three members were elected to serve on the NEFMC’s Executive Committee. Again, these are the same individuals who held leadership positions last year. The Council put their confidence in NH fisherman Peter Kendall, who is serving his second term on the NEFMC, and officials from two state fisheries agencies. They are NH Fish and Game Department Chief Doug Grout, and MA Division of Marine Fisheries Deputy Director Dr. David Pierce.

Read the full release from the NEFMC

HONOLULU — October 17, 2014 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) concluded its 117th meeting, which was held Oct. 14 to 16, 2014, at the Council office in Honolulu, with acceptable biological catches (ABCs) specified for Western Pacific bottomfish. The Council will consider the ABCs when it meets next week. The Council will use the ABCs to develop the 2015 annual catch limits (ACLs) for the fisheries.The ABCs specified by the SSC for the bottomfish fishery in American Samoa, Guam and CNMI for 2015 are 101,000pounds, 66,800 pounds and 228,000 pounds, respectively. These are the same ABCs as 2014. The SSC noted that the catch comprised a small proportion of the existing limit, there was no significant change in the fishery or the management of this fishery and there is no new scientific information to change the existing limits. A new assessment is scheduled for 2015.

The SSC also reviewed the ABCs previously set for other non-pelagic fisheries for fishing year 2014.

Regarding main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 bottomfish, consisting of a complex of six deep-water snappers and one grouper, the SSC reiterated that the 2014 draft stock assessment has not been independently peer-reviewed and, considering the best available science and public comments on the matter, again set the ABC at 346,000 pounds for the current fishing year.
Regarding coral reef fish, crustacean and MHI non-Deep 7 bottomfish, the SSC reviewed its approach to analyzing the risk of overfishing and scientific uncertainty used to specify the ABCs and made a minor technical correction for Saganidae (rabbit fish) in American Samoa and Guam for 2014. The ABC in American Samoa increased from 191 to 200 pounds, while the ABC for rabbitfish in Guam dropped from 19,500 to 18,800 pounds.

Regarding pelagic fisheries, the SSC addressed the overfishing and overfished status of Western and Central Pacific Ocean North Pacific striped marlin. It recommended establishing an overall limit of 457 metric tons (mt) and establishing a limit of 434 mt of striped marlin applicable to the Hawaii longline fishery (i.e., 95 percent of the 457 mt limit). In the event that the 434 mt limit is reached, the Hawaii longline fishery would not be allowed to retain striped marlin. There were no striped marlin restrictions recommended for other Hawaii fisheries (e.g., troll and handline), which account for less than 5 percent of total commercial striped marlin catch.

The SSC also discussed Hawaii yellowfin and bigeye tuna commercial size limits, which are currently regulated by the State of Hawaii at 3 pounds. The scientists said it is undetermined whether increasing the size would have a positive effect on the Hawaii yellowfin stock, which is considered healthy. They recommended research on yellowfin harvest rates, utilization and socio-economic issues related to catch, and market flow of small tuna in Hawaii. The majority of the SSC recommended no change in the current minimum size until further information is obtained. The SSC member from the State of Hawaii did not support the majority recommendation, noting that the State plans to hold public scoping sessions and meetings to discuss modifying the State's minimum size for commercial catch of yellowfin.

The Council will consider the recommendations of the SSC, its other advisory bodies and the public on the above issues as well as management of fisheries in the expanded Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument; management of the American Samoa longline fishery for South Pacific albacore; and establishment of a market delay for the sale of MHI Deep 7 bottomfish should the fishery close after reaching its ACL. The Council will meet 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 21 to 23, 2014, at the YWCA-Fuller Hall, 1040 Richards St., Honolulu. Management recommendations made by the Council are transmitted to the Secretary of Commerce for final approval and implemented by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the US Coast Guard.

The Hawai`i yellowfin tuna and North Pacific striped marlin management issues will also be addressed at the Fishers Forum 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 21,2014. This free public event will be held at the Harbor View Center at Pier 38, Honolulu (above Nico's restaurant) and will feature a sneak preview of the short documentary `Ahi-The Yellowfin Tuna. The event includes presentations, panel and public discussions, informational booths, door prizes and more.

For the full agendas of the Council meeting and the Fishers Forum and details on public comment opportunities, go to www.wpcouncil.org/meetings/ .

Scientific and Statistical Committee: Dr. Charles Daxboeck, chair, (BioDax Consulting Tahiti); Dr. Judith Amesbury (Micronesian Archeological Research Services); Dr. Paul Callaghan (University of Guam retired); Dr. Frank A. Camacho (University of Guam); Dr. Milani Chaloupka (University of Queensland); Dr. Richard Deriso (Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission); Dr. Erik Franklin (Hawai`i Institute of Marine Biology); Dr. John Hampton (Secretariat of the Pacific Community); David Itano (consultant); Dr. Pierre Kleiber (NMFS PIFSC, retired); Dr. Donald Kobayashi (NMFS PIFSC); Dr. Molly Lutcavage (University of New Hampshire); James Lynch (K&L Gates); Dr. Todd Miller (CNMI Division of Fish & Wildlife); Alton Miyaska (Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources); Dr. Domingo Ochivallo (American Samoa DMWR); Dr. Minling Pan (NMFS PIFSC); Dr. Craig Severance (University of Hawai`i at Hilo retired); Dr. John Sibert (Pelagic Fisheries Research Program retired); and Dr. Robert Skillman (NMFS PIFSC retired).

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council: Appointees by the Secretary of Commerce from nominees selected by American Samoa, CNMI, Guam and Hawai`i governors: Michael Duenas, Guam Fishermen's Cooperative Association (Guam) (vice chair) ; Edwin Ebisui (Hawai`i) (vice chair); John Gourley, Micronesin Environmental Services (CNMI) (vice chair); William Sword, recreational fisherman (American Samoa) (vice chair); Michael Goto, United Fishing Agency Ltd. (Hawai`i); Julie Leialoha, biologist (Hawai`i); Dr. Claire Tuia Poumele, Port Administration (American Samoa); and McGrew Rice, commercial and charter fisherman (Hawai`i). Designated state officials: Manny Pangelinan, CNMI Department of Land and Natural Resources (chair); William Aila, Hawai`i Department of Land & Natural Resources; Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga, American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources; and Mariquita Taitague, Guam Department of Agriculture. Designated federal officials: Michael Tosatto, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office; David Hogan, US Department of State; RAdm Cari B. Thomas, US Coast Guard 14th District; and Susan White, USFWS Pacific Reefs National Wildlife Refuges Complex

 

SEAFOODNEWS.COM By Peggy Parker — October 20, 2014 — In an historic emergency meeting of Pacific Fishery Management Council last Friday, fishery managers found a way to protect chinook salmon, stay under the darkblotched rockfish quota, and allow the Pacific whiting fleet to fish the remaining 21,000 mt of quota.

The Council took immediate action to protect chinook salmon bycatch in the Pacific whiting trawl fishery by moving the mothership and catcher processor fleets to deeper water, beyond the 150 fathom contour. A “guideline” harvest limit of 11,000 chinook salmon was taken by the Pacific whiting fleet last week. All vessels in the three-sector fishery are impacted by more restrictive management measures.

The shoreside Pacific whiting fleet will fish outside the 100 fathom line for now. If and when that sector catches its quota, and if and when additional transfers are made from the tribal allocation, which is expected, the shorebased fleet will also be restricted to fishing beyond the 150 fathom line.

That restriction was hotly contested by members of the industry who testified against that additional precaution.

“The Chinook bycatch mitigation area moving out to 150 fathoms rather than 100 fathoms disadvantages the shoreside processors and harvesters,” pointed out Rod Moore, executive director of the West Coast seafood Processors Association.

“In considering this, the Council is narrowly skirting violations of National Standards Four, Five, Six, Seven, and Eight,” Moore said.

An unexpected catch of darkblotched rockfish last week exceeded the mothership sector’s bycatch quota and triggered the voluntary shut down with a third of their annual quota still in the water.

Even with the “lightning strike” of darkblotched rockfish, the entire annual allowance of that species for the groundfish fishery was still in good shape. About 20% of the budgeted bycatch had been taken as of last week.

The catcher-processor sector has taken only a third of their allowance of darkblotched rockfish to date and is unlikely to use it all before their Pacific whiting quota is caught. So Dan Waldeck, executive director of the Pacific Whiting Conservation Cooperative (catcher/processor sector) issued a “cease fishing report” to NMFS on Friday, offering up 3 mt of their darkblotched quota to the mothership sector.

The letter was required before NMFS could approve the transfer.

The two-hour teleconference was a rare example of how managers and industry, despite intense pressure to harvest remaining quota, found a solution within the regional council procedural protocol.

“Truly an amazing event,” said Brent Paine, executive director of the United Catcher Boats. “I have never seen NMFS truly go to bat for us like Frank Lockhart's group did, and Bob Turner's leadership to get this done. And also Phil Anderson's creative thinking to solve the problem. They deserve a lot of credit.”

Using three “automatic actions”, the Council implemented the Ocean Salmon Conservation Zone, which moves the fleet to deeper water to avoid Chinook salmon, asked NMFS to make an immediate transfer of 3 mt of darkblotched rockfish from the catcher/processor sector to the mothership fleet, and reapportioned the unused tribal allocation of Pacific whiting to the three trawl sectors to be distributed pro rata, on the condition that all of that redistributed whiting quota is taken beyond the 150 fathom line.

On Saturday afternoon, Dave Fraser, manager of the Whiting Mothership Cooperative (WMC), issued a start fishing order for midnight Saturday night.

The WMC Board of Directors met twice over the weekend to further develop additional coop rules to manage both darkblotched rockfish and Chinook salmon, such as installing excluder panels for the salmon.

Using “inseason acton” which may take a week or two to implement, the Council mandated that the shoreside sector may catch their original whiting quota outside the 100-fathom contour, but any future reallocation from the tribal quota must be caught beyond the 150-fathom line.

Finally, the Council “paid back” the 3 mt loan of darkblotched rockfish from the CP fleet to the mothership sector, by reducing the darkblotched allowance of the open access sector (for instance, shrimp trawlers) by 3 mt and restoring the CP annual bycatch allowance to 9 mt.  Shrimp trawling ends on October 31.

Both industry members and Council members questioned the need for an emergency meeting when the Council’s next scheduled meeting is in early November.

“We have a situation where the fishery is high-volume and labor intensive,” said Phil Anderson, director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and a member of the council.

“The offshore sector can only keep crews on for a limited time,” he said, referring to the motherships and catcher/processors being tied up for a week so far. “Getting the crews back, if they leave, would be extremely difficult if not impossible.

“I asked the [council] chair to consider calling an emergency meeting so that the economic benefits to the nation could be derived that otherwise would be lost, if we waited another three weeks,” Anderson said.

The last time the Pacific council was called for an emergency meeting occurred 25 years ago.

This story originially appeared on SeafoodNews.com, a subscription site. It has been reprinted with permission.

HONOLULU, Hi. — October 16, 2014 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC):

The public is invited to attend the Fishers Forum on Hawai`i yellowfin tuna and North Pacific striped marlin and view a sneak preview of 'Ahi–The Yellowfin Tuna. This short documentary focuses on the importance of the species and research on the local stock that may have important management implications. This family friendly and free event will be held Oct. 21,2014, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Harbor View Center at Pier 38, 1129 North Nimitz Highway (above Nico's restaurant).

This Fishers Forum is presented by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and will focus on two fish that are very popular with consumers in Hawai`i: yellowfin tuna (`ahi) and striped marlin (a`u or nairagi).

Yellowfin tuna is a species targeted by various fisheries. The adults are primarily for the sashimi- and fresh-fish domestic markets. The juveniles are favored by small households and limited income families for frying, soup and other dishes.

While the Pacific yellowfin tuna stock is considered highly migratory, research has indicated that locally spawned yellowfin stay around the Hawaiian Islands. After about 24 inches in length (about 10 pounds), their natural mortality rate drops to its lowest levels. Once reaching this size, the species grows quickly to reproductive size. Currently the commercial minimum size limit for yellowfin set by the State of Hawai`i is 3 pounds.

The Fishers Forum will include a discussion of options for minimum size of yellowfin and bigeye tuna for commercial fisheries operating in federal waters around Hawai`i. It can be difficult to distinguish the two species when they are juvenile. The discussion will include federal, State and fishing representatives. Click here to view agenda. 

The North Pacific striped marlin in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) has been subject to overfishing, and the National Marine Fisheries Service recently announced that it is in an overfished condition. The US fishery for WCPO North Pacific striped marlin is currently limited to 457 metric tons. The longline fishery catches >95 percent of Hawai`i's striped marlin catch. Troll and handline fisheries typically catch <5 percent of the Hawai`i striped marlin catch with the charter vessel fishery accounting for about 38 percent of the non-longline catch. The Council will consider several options to address the domestic fisheries' impact to this Pacific-wide problem.

The Fishers Forum provides fishers and others who are unable to attend the Council meeting an opportunity to learn about these issues and offer their input into the management decision-making process. It also includes information booths, presentations, panel and public discussions and door prizes.

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council meets Oct. 21 to 23, 2014, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Laniakea YWCA-Fuller Hall, 1040 Richards St., Honolulu. For complete agendas of the Fishers Forum and Council meeting and details on public comment opportunities, go to http://www.wpcouncil.org/meetings.