December 18, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (Council) ended its 201st meeting on a hopeful note, inspired by the upcoming change in the Federal administration. The Council found that the incoming administration provides a chance to make U.S. fisheries in the Pacific great again.
After finally achieving an increase in longline bigeye tuna quotas last year, in 2024, U.S. fisheries in the Pacific were once again ignored and suffered a loss in striped marlin quota at the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). The decision by the WCPFC requires the U.S. to set a catch limit of 228.4 metric tons annually from 2025 to 2027, a decrease of 50% from the previous limit.
Kitty Simonds, Executive Director of the Council, said that she was “disappointed at the uneven playing field,” noting that the U.S. is the only fleet or country taking a reduction. She suggested that the impact of the rule will decrease the value of marlin and increase waste in the fishery.
The Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act (Public Law 14-327), states that “The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, in the course of negotiations, shall seek— (1) to minimize any disadvantage to United States fishermen in relation to other members of the Commission.” Archie Soliai, Council vice Chair, said that the US government can and must do better to advocate for the best interests of its territories. Our future, our livelihoods, and the economic stability of our communities depend on it.”
Nate Ilaoa, American Samoa businessman, reminded the Council that “American Samoa has a signed contract with the U.S. in the form of the Deeds of Cession” referencing the document from April 17, 1900 that the U.S. signed with the Matai (chiefs) agreeing to protect and look after the interest of American Samoa.
With a change in administration, the Council plans to take the opportunity to write to the incoming administration and outline the issues with existing federal and international conservation and management measures. Simonds said that decisions from the Federal government have continued to negatively impact the U.S. Pacific Island fishing communities.
To improve U.S. fisheries, at this meeting, the Council also deliberated on implementation approaches for establishing protected species handling training requirements for Hawaii and American Samoa longline fisheries. The main goals are to reduce post-release mortality by addressing protected species handling and release through specific training to crew members that can assist during hauling operations. The recommendation specified a 1-2 year certification period for crew, maintaining the annual workshop certification for vessel owners and operators, and allowing flexibility for crew certifications to be met through owner/operator workshops.
“Considering high turnover, specifically for American Samoa, it is an ongoing challenge,” remarked American Samoa Council Member Archie Soliai. He suggested that “it makes [more] sense to have training for everyone together.”
Also, the Council advanced plans to transition electronic monitoring (EM) from a research initiative to an operational management tool. Recognizing the challenges posed by declining human observer coverage (due to overbudget costs), the Council outlined a phased approach to EM implementation that includes authorizing EM systems to monitor protected species interactions over three years as an optional program and establishing regional standards and a robust data review process.
“While the U.S. fisheries have suffered setbacks in recent years,” said Will Sword, Council Chairman, “we hope that these measures will continue the Council’s track record of encouraging sustainable fishing and perpetuating Pacific Island traditions and culture,”
Additional Council Actions
Guam Bottomfish Rebuilding Plan: The Council recommended increasing the annual catch limit to 34,500 pounds, with a post-season accountability measure to rebuild stocks by 2031. This measure means if the average catch over the most recent three years exceeds the limit, the following year’s limit will be reduced by the overage to prevent overfishing.
American Samoa Bottomfish Management: The Council recommended removing the Tier 6 acceptable biological catch control rule from the current revision of the American Samoa bottomfish management unit species action. Instead, the Council will develop amendments to all its Fishery Ecosystem Plans (FEPs) to incorporate the Tier 6 approach, ensuring this flexible, data-limited management tool can be applied consistently across all fisheries under its jurisdiction.
North Pacific Striped Marlin: Initial steps were taken to set a catch limit of 228.4 metric tons annually from 2025 to 2027, aligning with international conservation measures.
The new measure cuts in half a guaranteed U.S. catch from the previous measure of 457 mt. (can fill out more here, longline fleet already constrained by the Billfish Conservation Act, etc.)
For more information, visit www.wpcouncil.org/meetings-calendars