March 26, 2025 โ Total shrimp imports to the U.S. were up significantly year over year in January, as reported by NOAA, from just over 131 million pounds, or 59,442 metric tons (MT), to nearly 157 million pounds (71,188 MT), an increase of 19.76 percent.
The change was mostly due to a big bump in Indian imports, as well as increases from Vietnam and Thailand.
March 26, 2025 โ The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:
March 21, 2025 โ U.S. Congresswoman Amata Radewagen, who represents American Samoa, has urged the Trump administration to reopen most of an enormous marine protected area in the Central Pacific Ocean to industrial fishing while also recommending the reopening of other Pacific MPAs.
In a Jan. 23 letter to President Donald Trump, Radewagen called for his administration to open the vast majority of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument (PIH) to commercial tuna fishing. PIH, which is larger than the U.S. state of Texas, is an area of exceptional biodiversity. Radewagenโs letter called reopening it an โimmediate needโ that would benefit the countryโs economy and challenge โChinese fishing dominance.โ She also sent Trump a background document that, among other requests, called for an executive order to open all Pacific marine national monuments and national marine sanctuaries to tuna fishing and to withdraw the U.S. from efforts to develop large marine protected areas in international waters.
Some details of the letter and background document, which Radewagenโs office shared with Mongabay, have not previously been publicly reported.
Members of the PIH Coalition, an advocacy group based in Hawaiโi that includes scientists, fishers and Indigenous leaders, criticized Radewagenโs move.
โI think itโs foolish,โ Rick Gaffney, a PIH Coalition member and fisheries expert, told Mongabay.
Gaffney said conservationists have been fighting to ensure a future for fisheries in the Pacific, which is why MPAs like PIH were created: โto be sure that these extremely remote and unique island areas are protected so that they continue to be productive.โ
March 20, 2025 โ The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Council (WPRFC) is preparing to implement electronic monitoring on all commercial longline fishing vessels by 2027.
At the March meeting of the WPRFCโs Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), the Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) outlined its plan to begin phasing in electronic monitoring to the U.S. longline fleet. According to the office, regulators plan to have all 161 Hawaiโi and American Samoan longline vessels outfitted with electronic monitoring systems by 2027.
March 17, 2025 โ The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Councilโs Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) met this week and reviewed protected species management in the regionโs fisheries. Discussions underscored the growing influence of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) in regulating fisheries, often overshadowing the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), the primary federal law governing U.S. fisheries.
Council staff provided an update on the ongoing efforts of the Councilโs protected species program, emphasizing the mandates for addressing interactions between fisheries and protected species. Staff highlighted past successes in reducing these interactions through innovative gear mitigation measures and technology transfer.
The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) shared updates on the status of false killer whale stocks, including the final 2023 stock assessment report and outcomes from a 2024 survey. Based on updated assumptions about data uncertainties, the removal limit for the stock has been revised upward from 33 to 36 individuals. This is the number of individuals that could be removed from the stock to maintain optimal stock size.
The SSC raised concerns about disparities in how protected species assessments are reviewed compared to fish stock assessments under the Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review process. Unlike fish stocks, marine mammal assessments lack a standardized peer review process. As one SSC member noted, โAssessments of sea turtles undergo extensive review, including input from SSC members, but marine mammal assessments are not subjected to the same level of scrutiny. This inconsistency raises important questions about the reliability and transparency of the data.โ
With new ESA and MMPA regulations on the horizon, including critical habitat designations for corals and green sea turtles and the proposed listing of giant clams, the SSC discussed the potential challenges these changes could present to fishing communities and ongoing projects of territorial governments. The committee also expressed concerns about declining observer coverage and the shift toward electronic monitoring, which may impact data collection used for serious injury and mortality estimates.
SSC Strategic Planning
As part of their ongoing commitment to the MSA process, SSC members discussed ways to improve their statutory advisory role. The committee is evaluating its processes to ensure it provides effective and relevant advice to the Council. This effort includes planning eight special projects for 2025, focusing on both the science and social dimensions of fisheries management. An overarching theme was the integration of community needs with the best available scientific information.
One focus area is determining whether bottomfish should be managed within a complex or if indicator species would offer a more practical alternative. The committee is also working to integrate social, ecological, economic and environmental considerations into its recommendations.
The SSC is also exploring alternative methods to assess the risks fisheries pose to protected species, as well as continuing to evaluate the potential impacts of large closed areas on fisheries across the region. Progress on these special projects will be reported at SSC meetings scheduled for June, September and December.
The SSC meeting agenda and documents can be found atwww.wpcouncil.org/event/
Scientific and Statistical Committee: James Lynch (chair); Debra Cabrera (University of Guam); Frank Camacho (University of Guam); Courtney Carothers (University of Alaska Fairbanks); Milani Chaloupka (University of Queensland); Cathy Dichmont (Cathy Dichmont Consulting); Erik Franklin (University of Hawaiโi); Shelton Harley (Fisheries Consultant); Jason Helyer (Hawaiโi Div. of Aquatic Resources); Ray Hilborn (University of Washington); Alister Hunt (Finology); Dave Itano (Fisheries Consultant); Keena Leon Guerrero (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Div. of Fish & Wildlife); Domingo Ochavillo (American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources); Graham Pilling (The Pacific Community); Jim Roberts (Anemone Consulting); Justin Suca (University of Hawaiโi); Robin Waples (University of Washington); Charles Littnan (ex-officio) (National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center).
March 14, 2025 โ The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Councilโs Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) met this week to address key issues on electronic monitoring (EM) implementation in longline fisheries. EM uses camera systems to monitor fishing activity onboard vessels while at sea. Discussions centered on EM sampling strategies, funding uncertainties and socioeconomic impacts on Hawaiโiand American Samoa fisheries. An EM program is envisioned to be the primary at-sea monitoring and data collection mechanism for the 150 and 11 active vessels in the Hawaiโi and American Samoa longline fisheries, respectively.
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) staff outlined an EM sampling design to determine estimates of rare events, such as protected species interactions. SSC members discussed the advantages and challenges of EM compared to human observers and how reduced observer coverage could be addressed. โWhile the immediate focus might be to implement an EM program, it is critical to think about where you want the program to be in 10 years and to plan for that now in the design phase,โ said SSC member Dr. Shelton Harley. โA good example of this is ensuring that EM data are easily integrated with other data sources, such as logbooks and vessel monitoring data.โ The SSC will advise the Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on technical aspects of EM implementation through a working group it recommended.
Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) staff reported NMFS plans to phase in EM from this year through 2027, using available funding. However, budget constraints are expected to reduce human observer coverage. The transition plan envisions outfitting all Hawaiโi and American Samoa vessels with EM camera systems by 2027, with immediate outreach to vessel owners and operators.
The SSC reviewed economic analyses outlining potential cost savings and challenges. PIRO noted the industry may need to share some EM costs, including camera system replacements every three years. SSC members raised concerns about the financial burden on vessel owners and the uncertainty of long-term funding. โThese fisheries already operate on slim profit margins,โ said SSC member Dr. Alister Hunt. โThe federal agency is presumably saving costs by shifting from observers to EM, which is a good thingโso why place that burden on fishermen?โ
The Western Pacific Region has long maintained NMFS should cover monitoring costs primarily intended for protected species estimation. The SSC recommended analyses on regulatory burdens and costs to fisheries be provided in June 2025 to inform Council decisions.
SSC members emphasized the importance of early industry engagement, cost transparency and evaluating EMโs effectiveness in replacing at-sea human observers. Discussions will continue as the Council works toward a proposed amendment, with initial action expected in June 2025.
EM Background
The Council first discussed the EM concept in 2002, before it became a widely used cost-effective fisheries monitoring tool. Longline fisheries have historically relied on human observers, with a 20% target coverage rate. Internationally, longline fisheries are required to have 5% observer coverage. In December 2024, the Council directed an action team to develop an amendment authorizing EM on all vessels, primarily for protected species monitoring. The action team has since drafted potential alternatives for the Councilโs June 2025 meeting, including vessel assignments during the phase-in period.
Catch Limits for Uku, Precious Corals and Deepwater Shrimp
The SSC also provided recommendations on catch limits for several Council-managed Hawaiian fisheries to ensure sustainable harvest levels.
For uku (gray jobfish/blue-green snapper) in the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI), the SSC recommended a catch limit of 408,957 pounds for the 2026-2029 fishing years. This recommendation is based on the latest scientific assessment, which found the stock is healthy but cautioned that catching at this level could gradually reduce fish populations. To help prevent overfishing, the SSC advised keeping a three-year review process to adjust future limits if needed.
For MHI precious corals and deepwater shrimp, the SSC recommended keeping current catch limits in place through 2028 (see table). These fisheries have low harvest levels, but experts noted that if new fishers entered and began harvesting large amounts, it could affect long-term sustainability. The 2022-2023 average catch for deepwater shrimp was 19,287 pounds. The SSC also urged PIFSC to provide updated assessments of these fisheries to ensure the latest science is used to guide future management decisions.
The SSC meeting agenda and documents can be found atwww.wpcouncil.org/event/155ssc-meeting. The SSC provides advice to the Council, which will meet March 25-27, 2025, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, www.wpcouncil.org/event/202nd-council-meeting.
Scientific and Statistical Committee: James Lynch (chair); Debra Cabrera (University of Guam); Frank Camacho (University of Guam); Courtney Carothers (University of Alaska Fairbanks); Milani Chaloupka (University of Queensland); Cathy Dichmont (Cathy Dichmont Consulting); Erik Franklin (University of Hawaiโi); Shelton Harley (Fisheries Consultant); Jason Helyer (Hawaiโi Div. of Aquatic Resources); Ray Hilborn (University of Washington); Alister Hunt (Finology); Dave Itano (Fisheries Consultant); Keena Leon Guerrero (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Div. of Fish & Wildlife); Domingo Ochavillo (American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources); Graham Pilling (The Pacific Community); Jim Roberts (Anemone Consulting); Justin Suca (University of Hawaiโi); Robin Waples (University of Washington); Charles Littnan (ex-officio) (National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center).
March 10, 2025 โ A federal judge has ordered NOAA to explain why it declined to adopt regulations to protect 20 coral species designated in 2014 as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
In a 42-page decision, Judge Micah W.J. Smith of the District Court of Hawaii said NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service, failed to provide adequate explanation for denying a 2020 petition from the Center for Biological Diversity to impose protective measures for the species that live Florida, the Caribbean, and the Indo-Pacific region and are threatened by the impacts of climate change.
โEven under [a] highly deferential standard of review, two facets of NMFSโ denial letter fall short,โ Smith wrote. โNMFS offered no reasoned explanation for declining to protect the threatened coral species from their gravest threat, climate change. And for one set of the threatened species, the Caribbean corals, NMFS offered no reasoned explanation for declining to adopt regulations addressing localized threats.โ
March 8, 2025 โ The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:
Fishing in the Pacific Islands isnโt just a way of lifeโitโs a legacy, a livelihood and a connection to the ocean that sustains our communities. But when policies change or challenges arise, those who rely on fishing to feed their families or for their livelihood feel the impact first. Thatโs why your voice matters now more than ever.
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is hitting the road to meet directly with fishing communities across Hawaiโi. These meetings arenโt just about policiesโtheyโre about real people, real issues and real solutions. Whether youโre a commercial fisher, a weekend angler or simply care about the future of local seafood, this is your chance to speak up, ask questions and be part of the conversation. Federal fishery managers, industry leaders and fellow fishers will be there to listen, share updates and work toward a stronger future for Hawaiiโs fisheries.
โFishing is deep-rooted here in Hawaiโi, as it is part of our culture and tradition, it provides food to our tables and contributes to our economy,โ said Gil Kualiโi, Hilo fisherman and Advisory Panel vice chair. โFor me, you gotta be engaged otherwise things happen and you donโt get a say. Fishing is what we do, who we areโฆeither you participate or cut bait!โ
Key Topics of Discussion
Meeting Schedule:
โ Kona, HI
Date: March 13, 2025 (Thursday)
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (HST)
Location: King Kamehamehaโs Kona Beach Hotel, 75-5660 Palani Rd., Kailua-Kona
โ Hilo, HI
Date: March 14, 2025 (Friday)
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (HST)
Location: Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, 71 Banyan Dr., Hilo
โ Community meetings across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands will be scheduled in late April and May 2025.
The Hawaiโi Advisory Panel meeting will also be held March 13 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the King Kamehamehaโs Kona Beach Hotel. Major agenda items include uku catch limits for 2026-2029; deepwater shrimp and precious corals catch limits for 2025-2028; Hawaiโi and American Samoa longline fisheries crew training and electronic monitoring updates; and longline and small-boat scenario planning, regulatory review and community consultation project discussions.
We invite community members to participate in these vital discussions. Your voice matters as we work together to navigate changes and enhance the fishing communityโs future.
For more information, please contact Mark Mitsuyasu (mark.mitsuyasu@wpcouncil.org, 808-479-6357) or Zach Yamada (zach.yamada@wpcouncil.org). www.wpcouncil.org
March 8, 2025 โ A federal judge in Hawaii ruled Thursday that the National Marine Fisheries Service had wrongly denied climate change protections to 20 threatened coral species in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean, even though the service had previously identified climate change as the main threat to these coralsโ survival.
U.S. District Judge Micah Smith granted partial summary judgement to the Center for Biological Diversity, which petitioned for the coralsโ protection in 2020 and sued the service in 2023 for regulations to address climate change, a ban on international trade, and protections against local threats like development and poor water quality.
โIโm delighted by this court ruling because it underlines climate changeโs overwhelming threat to imperiled corals,โ said Emily Jeffers, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. โWeโve lost half of the worldโs coral reefs in the past 40 years, and if we donโt act quickly the rest could disappear forever by the end of this century.โ
Smith determined that the service failed to explain properly why it wouldnโt protect corals from climate change.
The agency had claimed such regulations would have โlimited effectiveness,โ but Smith found this explanation inadequate, especially since climate change poses the greatest threat to these species. The court labeled this decision โarbitrary and capriciousโ and ordered the agency to reconsider.
โIn reaching this conclusion, it is worth noting what NMFS did not say. NMFS did not conclude that it lacked the legal authority to adopt Section 4(d) regulations to address climate change. Nor did it say that it was unaware of what Section 4(d) regulations it might adopt to accomplish those ends, or that the centerโs petition suffered from a lack of clarity,โ Smith wrote.
The judge similarly overturned the serviceโs decision not to issue regulations protecting Caribbean coral species from local threats, finding that the agency also provided no proper justification for this choice.
March 6, 2025 โ The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:
Science is at the heart of sustainable fisheriesโjoin top experts as they review the latest information and provide recommendations for Pacific fish stocks.
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Councilโs Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet March 11-13, 2025, in Kailua-Kona to tackle some of the regionโs most pressing fisheries management issues. Scientists, fishery managers and industry leaders will set the course for sustainable fishing, from protecting precious corals to shaping the future of longline fisheries.
Hot Topics on the Agenda
Setting New Limits for Uku
The Main Hawaiian Islands uku (green jobfish) fishery is on the line as the SSC will advise the Council how much can be sustainably caught from 2026 to 2029. With recent challenges in monitoring both commercial and noncommercial catch, the SSC may recommend an acceptable overfishing limit and provide scientific justification for a shift in management strategies. The outcome will impact fishermen, markets and the ecosystem.
Hidden Treasures: Deepwater Shrimp & Precious Corals
These deep-sea resources are incredibly valuableโbut theyโre also difficult to study and regulate. With current catch limits expiring soon, the SSC will decide whether to maintain or adjust quotas for species like deepwater shrimp, black coral, and pink and bamboo corals.
Cameras on Deck: The Future of Electronic Monitoring
With human observer coverage shrinking, electronic monitoring is set to revolutionize longline fisheries monitoring in Hawaiโi and American Samoa. But who will foot the bill? How will it affect fishers? The SSC will discuss how video footage from vessels will be reviewed and how the new program may impact longline fleets as these fisheries transition into a new era of monitoring.
This is your chance to hear the science, ask questions and be part of the discussion.
How to Join
In-Person: Courtyard King Kamehamehaโs Kona Beach Hotel (75-5660 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI)
Online: Join remotely via web conference: https://tinyurl.com/155SSCMtg
Get the Full Agenda & Documents: www.wpcouncil.org/event/155ssc-meeting
The SSC provides advice to the Council, which will meet March 25-27, 2025, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, www.wpcouncil.org/event/202nd-council-meeting.
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