Saving Seafood

Council Reviews Annual Fishery Reports: Trends, Challenges and Future Plans in the Western Pacific

June 26, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Council members reviewed detailed reports on the 2023 performance of federally managed fisheries in the Western Pacific region. This annual Stock Assessment and Fisheries Evaluation (SAFE) report consistently observed catch increases across a range of open ocean and bottomfish species, continued high fuel prices, shark depredation and increased sea surface temperature across the U.S. Pacific Islands.

This report is developed by the Council’s archipelagic and pelagic plan teams, comprised of federal, territorial, state and Council scientists.

Highlights from the region include:

  • Hawai‘i: Commercial landings for bottomfish were up at 242,170 pounds. None of the bottomfish are overfished or experiencing overfishing. There were 576 bottomfish license holders, 37 less than in 2022.
  • American Samoa: Albacore tuna catch was 1.9 million pounds from 10 boats in the longline fishery, down from 2.37 million pounds from 11 boats in 2022.
  • Guam: Total bottomfish catch for the 13-species complex was below the annual limit set at 31,000 pounds. A recent stock assessment indicates the complex is no longer considered overfished.
  • CNMI: The 2023 report of fishermen’s catch reports and commercial dealer invoices is in review.

For the 2024 annual SAFE report, key fishery and market indicators will be included, such as impacts from military activities, weather conditions, and funding and staffing issues, as well as fishery-independent data in Guam and Hawai‘i. Council advisors are working on ways to improve data collection. The Annual SAFE Report data for 2023 will soon be available at wpcouncildata.org.

For fishing years 2024-2027 for the Hawaiian Islands deep-seven bottomfish complex, the Council recommended the annual catch limit (ACL) to be 493,000 pounds. This ACL results in a 39% risk of overfishing. The fishery is healthy and total catch in recent years has been around 200,000 pounds. With this increase in quota, fishers are able to operate year-round without fear of the fishery closing. Accountability measures include in-season monitoring and a single year post-season overage adjustment. License holders are required to report their bottomfish catch within five days of their fishing trip. 

On Hawai‘i’s bottomfish ACL, Council member from Guam Manny Dueñas commented, “It’s the honest to God truth – the fisheries are healthy! More people should go fishing!”

In 2023, 359 deep-seven bottomfish license holders each caught an average of 550 pounds, totaling about 200,000 pounds. With the remaining ACL, this means that potentially up to 530 more people could enter the fishery.

Part of the mission of NOAA’s National Seafood Strategy supports productive and sustainable fisheries. NOAA should assist young people to go fishing in our region.

Council Tackles Trade Barriers to US Tuna Fisheries at Meeting

June 26, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

This week, members of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council called attention to impediments to U.S. fisheries due to unfair trade practices by foreign fisheries. “Dumping” of cheaper, lower-quality fishery products into the United States undercuts the profitability of U.S. fisheries. These foreign fisheries are often heavily subsidized by other nations, including for operational costs, labor, fuel and ship building.

 The Council recommended convening a group of experts, inviting federal agencies and the fishing industry, to address these regional unfair trade issues. Regarding U.S. labeling regulations, the members requested the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, NOAA, State of Hawai‘i, Territories of Guam and American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) agencies to enforce Country of Origin Labeling and other local requirements.

 Council Chair Taulapapa William Sword supported the need to address trade and labeling regulations, citing the precarious situation in American Samoa. “If our fishermen can’t compete, fish, sustain a profit, and provide protein for our communities, not only do we lose food security in American Samoa, our economy dies,” Sword said. Guam Council member Manny Dueñas praised the National Seafood Strategy but warned, “If we continue to let monuments and sanctuaries drive management, developing the Strategy is an exercise in futility.” 

 In addition to trade issues, the Council heard updates from the U.S. Coast Guard regarding high seas boarding and inspection (HSBI). This program monitors compliance of Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) regulations. Members expressed concern over recent reports of HSBI boardings by China, including Chinese Coast Guard vessels intimidating Philippine fishing vessels. In order to increase the efficacy of HSBI and promote safety at sea, the Council recommended the U.S. government continue its efforts to elevate the WCPFC Resolution on Labor Standards as binding, to allow HSBI parties power to enforce human rights at sea.

 Regarding green sea turtles, Council members from the U.S. Pacific Territories urged the federal government to consider the cultural uses of these sea creatures. For more than 4,000 years, the CHamoru and Refaluwasch people have used green sea turtles for medicinal, subsistence and cultural practices. However, the Endangered Species Act and the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC) create barriers, despite a narrow subsistence exemption in the IAC.

The Council territory members recommended utilizing nurseries and involving community members to find innovative ways to recover the green sea turtle population. “The communities have a vested interest in raising healthy turtles if they are part of the solution,” said Muña, pointing to successful examples of involving farmers to raise the endangered Ko’ko birds (Guam rail). 

 The Council requested NOAA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide information on existing programs for green sea turtle nursery and rehabilitation to explore the potential for recovering the species. 

 Sanctuaries in the Pacific

In an “Island Voices” column published in the Honolulu Star Advertiser June 20, 2024, Council member Taotasi Archie Soliai, American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, pointed out inaccuracies about the territory’s economy that were used to support closing U.S. waters in the central equatorial Pacific to commercial fishing. Contrary to claims published April 28, 2024, titled “American Samoa deserves to thrive as fishing shifts,” American Samoa’s economy relies heavily on the tuna fishing and processing industry, with StarKist Samoa providing significant employment and economic stability.

 At the Council meeting, Soliai said, “The Council’s spring newsletter included a commentary on the current situation of the Biden Adminstration’s proposed sanctuaries called ‘Justice? Or Just Us?’ The Administration continues to promote equity, but fails to extend the same considerations to its Pacific Territories. The United States can’t talk about promoting domestic industries, fishing, marketing, exporting, importing and food security but fail to act on its Strategy in the Pacific.”

Equitable Fishing Access and Sustainable Practices to be Addressed at Upcoming Council Meeting in Honolulu

June 21, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

As the U.S. exclusive economic zone available to fishing continues to shrink due to federal regulations, foreign fishing presence increases and Pacific Islands bear the brunt of American conservation efforts, justice has seemingly turned into “just us.” Ninety percent of the Biden Administration’s mandate to conserve 30% of the ocean by 2030 is supported by closures in the U.S. Pacific.

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will address equitable access, fair treatment of fishing communities and preservation of sustainable fishing at its meeting June 24-26, 2024, in Honolulu.

 The Council will receive updates on the proposed national marine sanctuaries in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) and the Pacific Remote Island Areas (PRIA). NOAA held public hearings on the NWHI sanctuary draft Environmental Impact Statement throughout the State of Hawai‘i in April. Council representatives attended to answer questions on its recommendations for fishing regulations, and submitted written comments to NOAA in May. For the PRIA sanctuary, after a flurry of activity at the end of 2023, including the Council’s recommendation that no additional fishing regulations were needed, there has not been much movement beyond potential renaming.

 The Council will also discuss seafood trade and strategies to level the playing field between foreign and domestic fisheries in the marketplace. Earlier this week, Council staff, the Hawaii Longline Association and Hawai‘i market representatives met with the NOAA International Affairs, Trade and Commerce Division and also with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. These meetings were to strategize ways to improve seafood import monitoring and reduce the flow of foreign products undercutting U.S. fishery products, specifically for tuna, into local and nationwide markets. Pacific Island tuna fishery representatives are concerned with heavily subsidized foreign fisheries ‘dumping’ cheaper products into the U.S. market.

 Action Items

The Council will consider annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures for the main Hawaiian Islands deep-seven bottomfish complex for 2024-2027. Members will take into account reports on the uncertainties and risk of overfishing, and advice from its Scientific and Statistical Committee. The fishery is neither overfished nor experiencing overfishing, with 2023 landings reaching less than half of the current ACL of 492,000 pounds. 

The Council will also review and comment on the American Samoa Marine Conservation Plan (MCP) for implementation in August 2024. Key updates include developing a tuna policy to address declining albacore catch rates and restrictive federal regulations impacting U.S.-flagged vessels. The MCP also proposes creating a fishermen registry to track fishing efforts and assist with economic or disaster relief. According to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Council must validate that the projects are consistent with its Fishery Ecosystem Plans and will not affect the sustainability of fisheries in the area.

Other Agenda Items

The Council will also discuss how fisheries in the Western Pacific region performed in 2023 relative to previous years. The Annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation Reports will be presented to the Council with highlights of catch and effort trends, economic indicators and climate considerations. For example, despite decreases in commercial licenses and trips, the Hawai‘i bottomfish fishery had its highest catch since 2018. In American Samoa, longline sets continued a decreasing trend to an all-time low, but had an increase in trolling.

Fishers Forum

As part of its 199th meeting, the Council will host a free, family friendly Fishers Forum June 24, 2024, from 6 to 9 p.m. with the theme “Where are the fish going?” Attendees will learn how climate change is affecting the ocean and fish populations across the Pacific and closer to Hawai‘i, and what that means for fishermen. Fishing community leaders like Roy Morioka and Carl Jellings will share important observations on weather, seas, markets and operations.

The Council meeting and Fishers Forum will be held at the Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom, 410 Atkinson Drive in Honolulu. For more information, visit www.wpcouncil.org/event/199th-council-meeting. Remote participation for the Council meeting is available via Webex at https://tinyurl.com/199CouncilMtg.

Scientists Highlight Critical Discussions on Observer Coverage, Fishery Management and Future Planning

June 17, 2024 — The following was released by Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council concluded its meeting yesterday, spotlighting negative impacts of reduced observer coverage in the Hawai‘i longline fisheries and engaging in strategic discussions on improving fishery management in the region.

A primary discussion centered on the necessity of robust observer coverage for effective monitoring and management of longline fisheries. The SSC emphasized the critical role observers have in evaluating existing management measures, such as the swordfish shallow-set longline trip interaction limits for sea turtles. Enhancing observer coverage is vital for improving the precision of interaction estimates with species rarely encountered, ensuring the accuracy of data that influences management decisions for protected species like the insular false killer whale.

The SSC heard a report from the Electronic Technologies Steering Committee on electronic monitoring, a system being used in other U.S. and international fisheries to complement human observer coverage. The SSC recommended its members work with Council advisors on integrating electronic monitoring systems through robust sampling strategies. This initiative will bolster data collection efforts, streamline processes and enhance overall fishery management.

“The implementation of electronic monitoring is expected to provide comprehensive insights into fishing activities, contributing to more sustainable and informed decision-making,” said SSC member Shelton Harley.

Regarding nearshore fishery issues, the SSC discussed the P* (P-star) process for quantifying the risk of overfishing. They emphasized the benefits for fishermen to participate in the Council’s process and help quantify uncertainties. The SSC said the benefits should be balanced with the need to streamline the process if the risk of exceeding the annual catch limit (ACL) is low. 

Members recommended setting the acceptable biological catch (ABC) with a P* reduction for the Hawai‘i deep-seven bottomfish fishery in 2024-2027, and reviewing the P* process and ACL specification framework. ABC control rules will be an agenda item at the biennial meeting of the SSCs of the eight regional fishery management councils in August, where Western Pacific participants will call attention to these regional contexts.

The SSC also heard comprehensive reports on the 2023 performance of Council-managed fisheries in the Western Pacific region. Highlights include:

  • Hawai‘i: Deep-seven bottomfish landings reached approximately 200,000 pounds, the highest since 2018, despite a decrease in commercial marine licenses and fishing trips. This was less than half of the ACL of 492,000 pounds. This echoes the observation that bottomfish were only available at the Honolulu live auction for 71 out of 271 days last year.
  • American Samoa: Longline sets hit an all-time low, yet estimated troll trips saw a significant increase from 49 to 277 after years of decline. Open ocean catches showed a decline in both tuna and non-tuna species (approximately 2.7 million pounds).
  • Mariana Archipelago (Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands): Fishing and data collection faced challenges due to weather conditions, military activities, and funding and staffing issues.

The SSC underscored the importance of fisher observations, gathered through the Council’s Advisory Panels and annual summits. These observations provide invaluable context, helping to explain anomalies in fishery catch data and ensuring fishers feel engaged and valued in the management process.

The SSC noted the need for a renewed focus on maximizing the potential of fishery resources, as showcased in the SAFE (Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation) reports. Notably, while Hawai‘i’s longline fisheries experienced a slight increase in catch from 2022 to 2023, there was a significant decrease in ex-vessel revenue due to lower average fish prices.

Looking ahead, the Council’s Plan Teams are coordinating to revise the structure and content of the annual SAFE reports. This includes integrating oceanic and climate variables as fishery indicators and better utilizing separate data streams to forecast fishery responses to environmental changes.

Hawai‘i Longline Fishery Sees Revenue Decline in 2023 Due to Drop in Fish Prices at Honolulu Fish Auction

June 10, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

A report prepared for the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council highlights a nearly 8% decline in revenue for the Hawai‘i longline fishery due to a drop in average fish prices at the first point of landing in Honolulu Harbor. The 2023 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation Report, which monitors fish catch and revenue, will be presented to scientists and advisors of the Council’s 152nd Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting from June 11-13, 2024, for advice on shaping the future of fisheries management in the Western Pacific Region.

The report indicates that while the Hawai‘i longline fishery landed slightly more fish in 2023, greater yields did not lead to higher revenue. Industry representatives confirmed better catch rates towards the end of 2023, but overall it was a very tough year for the fleet. It was further noted that the volume and price of subsidized foreign imports, coupled with all-time high operational costs, are causing severe economic impacts on the fleet, which is the State’s largest food producer. The Hawai‘i longline fleet consists of 150 U.S.-flagged vessels operating out of Honolulu Harbor. The SSC will discuss this information to provide scientific advice on management of this fishery.

Electronic monitoring is in the planning stages for tracking protected species interactions with the Hawai‘i longline fisheries. SSC discussions will address delays due to funding shortfalls, the reduction in human observer coverage and potential pathways for phasing in electronic monitoring to meet regulatory obligations.

The SSC will also advise the Council on catch limits for the main Hawaiian Islands deep-seven bottomfish fishery. The 2023 report showed recent bottomfish catch has been well-below current limits, and the fishery is neither overfished nor experiencing overfishing. A new stock assessment will help the SSC quantify the risk of overfishing and uncertainty.

A recent national focus on climate change and environmental justice requires the Council to look at ways to manage fisheries for resiliency. To support this effort, the SSC will review revisions and suggestions from various advisory groups on research priorities that promote climate change resiliency, equity and environmental justice, and regulatory efficiency in fisheries management.

The SSC meeting is open for both in-person and remote participation via web conference. Attendees can access the full agenda, background documents and instructions for connecting to the meeting and providing oral public comments at www.wpcouncil.org/event/152ssc-meeting.

Recommendations made by the SSC on these and other matters will be considered by the Council when it meets June 24-26 at the Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom in Honolulu. Instructions on connecting to the web conference, agendas and briefing documents are posted at www.wpcouncil.org/event/199th-council-meeting.

Summary of Action Items for the 199th Meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

May 28, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The 199th meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will convene in-person June 24-26, 2024, at the Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom, Honolulu, HI. Remote participation option will be available by web conference (Webex).

The Webex link is https://tinyurl.com/199CouncilMtg (if prompted, enter event number: 2632 858 5207; password: CM199mtg). Specific information on joining the meeting, instructions for connecting to the Webex and providing oral public comments during the meeting will be posted on the Council website at: https://www.wpcouncil.org/event/199th-council-meeting.

The Council will consider and may take action on the issues summarized below, including any public comments on them. Written public comments on final action items should be received by the Council’s executive director by 5 p.m. (HST), Thursday, June 20, 2024, by postal mail, fax or email as indicated below.

Mail:  Ms. Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813

FAX:  (808) 522-8226

E-mail: info@wpcouncil.org

Summary of Action Items at the 199th Council Meeting

1.  Options for Specifying Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish ACL for 2024-2027 (Initial Action)

At its 198th meeting, the Council received the 2024 Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) Deep 7 bottomfish benchmark stock assessment and accepted it as best scientific information available on the status of the fishery, and directed staff to convene the P* (Risk of Overfishing) and SEEM (Social, Economic, Ecological and Management Uncertainty) Working Groups. In May 2024, the Council’s P* and SEEM Working Groups and the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) evaluated the scientific, social, ecological, economic, and management uncertainties and recommended a risk level to the Council.

Based on the results of the P* and SEEM Working Group meeting, the Council will consider taking initial action at the 199th meeting on specifying annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) for the MHI Deep 7 bottomfish fishery for fishing years 2024-2025 to 2026-2027. The Council will consider the following options:

1)   Option 1: No Action. Do not specify an ACL and AMs.

2)   Option 2: Status quo, specify an ACL of 492,000 pounds (Syslo et al. 2021)

3)   Option 3: Specify an ACL and ACT based on P* and SEEM scores

4)   Option 4: Specify an ACL and ACT below the P* and SEEM scores

5)   Accountability Measures to consider:

a.  In-season monitoring using the commercial marine licensing and reporting

b.  Post-season overages single year adjustment

c. Specify the ACL equal to the ABC based on the P* score and optionally specify an ACT based on the P* and SEEM scores.

2.    American Samoa Marine Conservation Plan (Action Item) 

Section 204(e) of the MSA authorizes the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce and in consultation with the Council, to negotiate and enter into a Pacific Insular Area Fishery Agreement (PIAFA). A PIAFA would allow foreign fishing within the 200-mile U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around American Samoa, the CNMI, Guam or the PRIA with the concurrence of, and in consultation with, the applicable governors. According to the MSA, before entering into a PIAFA, the appropriate governor, with the concurrence of the Council, must develop a three-year MCP providing details on uses for any funds collected by the Secretary under the PIAFA.

In addition to PIAFA funds, the MSA provides that fines and penalties of violations by foreign vessels occurring within the EEZ around the Pacific Insular Areas, including sums collected from forfeiture and disposition or sale of property seized by the federal government, are to be deposited into the applicable local government’s treasury and to be used to implement the respective MCP. Also authorized by the MSA is the Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund, which allows the Council to use funds to implement MCP projects.

The MSA requires that the MCPs shall be consistent with the Council’s FEPs. The MSA also requires that the MCP include, but not be limited to, the following conservation and management objectives:

     i.    Pacific Insular Area observer programs, or other monitoring programs, that the Secretary determines are adequate to monitor the harvest, bycatch and compliance with the laws of the United States by foreign fishing vessels that fish under Pacific Insular Area fishing agreements;

     ii.   Conduct of marine and fisheries research, including development of systems for information collection, analysis, evaluation and reporting;

   iii.    Conservation, education and enforcement activities related to marine and coastal management, such as living marine resource assessments, habitat monitoring and coastal studies;

   iv.    Education and training in the development and implementation of sustainable marine resources development projects, scientific research, and conservation strategies; and

     v.   Western Pacific community-based demonstration projects under section 112(b) of the Sustainable Fisheries Act and other coastal improvement projects to foster and promote the management, conservation and economic enhancement of the Pacific Insular Areas.

The Marine Conservation Plan (MCP) for American Samoa expires in July 2024. At its 199thmeeting, the Council will review the MCPs for concurrence and approval. After review by the Council, the Governor transmits the MCP to the Secretary of Commerce for approval. If approved by the Council and Secretary of Commerce, the MCP is valid for three years; however, an MCP can be modified at any time and resubmitted for approval.

MAINE: ‘I’m not going to hang around:’ Some Maine lobstermen decide to quit over new regulations

March 28, 2024 — Maine lobstermen say they’re frustrated by a new round of rules and regulations in place up and down the coast.

Some are even deciding to quit.

Rules that took effect January 1 require lobstermen to make monthly reports detailing when, where and the number of lobsters caught each day, along with the number of traps in the water.

Some lobstermen have decided the paperwork, and more harsh future regulations, aren’t worth it.

Read the full article at Fox 23

Western Pacific fishers, advisors continue to warn against US sanctuary proposal, imported tuna

March 28, 2024 — Fishers and advisors on the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council are warning that current U.S. policies are hurting American fishers in the Pacific.

Fishers voiced a litany of urgent concerns at the council’s 198th meeting in mid-March, including the Biden administration’s goal of extending sanctuary protections in the region and what they deemed as a growing threat of tuna imports.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Fishermen Sound Alarm: US Government Policies Threaten Way of Life in US Pacific Islands

March 25, 2024 — Read the full article atbWestern Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Amidst mounting concerns and resounding frustration, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council convened its 198th meeting this week, where the voices of the fishing community advisors echoed with urgency. Their impassioned pleas highlighted the dire challenges facing the industry, including escalating anxieties over fishing area closures and the destabilizing impact of foreign seafood imports on market dynamics.

Hawai‘i Advisory Panel (AP) member and Kaua‘i fisherman Abraham Apilado, Jr. said, “If the goal is to sustain fisheries, major changes need to be made today. If the goal is to kill off the fishermen and resources, then keep doing what you’re doing, because you’re doing an amazing job.”

The United States is proposing to overlay and extend the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (MNM) and potentially the Pacific Remote Islands MNM with sanctuary regulations, compounding current fishing closures (see map).

“The tuna industry is the only industry we have, the government relies on the canneries,” said Gene Pan, American Samoa AP member and Fono Representative. “You are stopping us from fishing but not the Chinese. Without the people, there is no Samoa.”

Council Chair Will Sword stressed, “Without the StarKist cannery, we cannot continue to sustain our cultural heritage and keep it vibrant. Further disadvantaging our remaining 12 purse seine vessels in American Samoa affects our cannery.”

“Our purse seine boats can’t compete because it’s not a level playing field,” said American Samoa AP member and Cape Fisheries CEO Joe Hamby. “The Seafood Import Monitoring Program is not working. U.S. fishers and processors should be protected by a duty on fish imports—seafood security is important. Fishing or processing, it’s a matter of having the political will to defend against negative impacts to domestic producers.”

Eric Kingma, Hawaii Longline Association executive director, said, “We are facing unprecedented market conditions. There is a large supply of fish coming in, driven by El Niño conditions. The market isn’t there because of the huge amount of imported, subsidized, gassed tuna being ‘dumped’ into the market and retailers are not adjusting downward during periods of high local supply of fresh tuna. Not only is this bad for the local consumer, but it’s unfair to the Hawai‘i fishing industry. The subsidized foreign imports and retail price gouging on fresh landed ‘ahi is really hurting the Hawai‘i longline fleet. Recently, vessels are averaging $2-3 per pound for high quality ‘ahi, but it’s over $30 per pound at the store. It’s not fair to consumers or fishermen.”

Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds said, “If you were the President of the United States, which would you choose—the people of the U.S. or your legacy?”

Fish Stock Assessment Limitations in the Western Pacific

Hawai‘i Council Member Matt Ramsey questioned how NOAA can develop strategies to promote seafood and equity and environmental justice (EEJ), while at the same time limiting fishing opportunities. Sam Rauch, NOAA deputy assistant administrator for regulatory programs, stated, “The goal of NMFS is not to limit fishing opportunities in general. In fact, NMFS is supposed to promote optimum yield, and that is the task that both the Council and NMFS are tasked with under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.”

The Council endorsed the Hawai‘i and Guam bottomfish stock assessments to update catch limits. The previous Guam assessment, which found the bottomfish stock complex was overfished, used a model likely not suited for data-limited fisheries. The latest assessment, which used the same model with updated catch data, showed an improved stock condition, but not enough to rebuild the stock. 

“It is one of the things we have learned particularly in the Western Pacific,” Rauch said. “Models that we apply to manage fisheries for [optimum yield] elsewhere in the country sometimes break down when they are applied to artisanal, cultural or subsistence fishing, much like the type of fishing that happens in the territories.”

Scientists Endorse HI and Guam Bottomfish Stock Assessments, Recommend Approaches to Survey False Killer Whales

March 18, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

Yesterday science advisors to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council accepted two recent bottomfish stock assessments for the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) and Guam as the best scientific information available (BSIA).

The assessments found the MHI deep-seven stock is not overfished and not experiencing overfishing, and the Guam stock is likely not overfished and likely not experiencing overfishing relative to reference points.

The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) endorsed the 2023 benchmark stock assessment and recommended the Council initiate the process for setting an updated acceptable biological catch and specifying annual catch limits (ACLs). 

The assessment from the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) used data from the Hawai‘i Fishery Reporting System and the Bottomfish Fishery Independent Survey in Hawai‘i (BFISH) survey, spanning fishing years 1949 to 2023. Significant improvements were made to catch data evaluation and standardization techniques, culminating in a robust modeling platform known as Just Another Bayesian Biomass Assessment (JABBA). PIFSC incorporated adjustments based on feedback from the 2023 Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review (WPSAR), improving the assessment’s reliability.

SSC members suggested upcoming assessments explore age-based models and conduct tests to check the accuracy of data standardization methods. They also voiced concerns about using data from the Hawai‘i Marine Recreational Fishing Survey to determine fishing effort and proposed different ways to estimate catch levels from various sectors.

Regarding the Guam bottomfish fishery, the SSC accepted the 2024 assessment and recommended the Council determine if the ACLs for Guam bottomfish need revision within the current rebuilding plan. The fishery is operating under a rebuilding plan that addresses its previously overfished condition based on the 2019 assessment. It uses an associated ACL of 31,000 pounds to rebuild the stock. 

The updated stock assessment includes data from 2018 to 2023 and highlights changes in species composition, notably an increase in onaga (longtailed red snapper, Etelis coruscans). The assessment indicates that while the stock is not currently overfished or experiencing overfishing, it hasn’t yet reached sustainable yield levels, necessitating continued adherence to the rebuilding plan. 

False Killer Whale Management Area

The SSC determined the available scientific information was not suitable for estimating the abundance of the Hawai‘i offshore population of false killer whales (FKWs) in areas outside of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In 2023, PIFSC defined a new “management area” for the offshore pelagic stock that is known to inhabit areas both inside and outside of the EEZ around Hawai‘i. The SSC adopted the report and recommendations from a working group tasked with reviewing the pelagic FKW management area approach. 

The working group found the limited biological data outside of the EEZ were not sufficient to delineate a biologically based area that defines the pelagic stock, or for applying the modeling approach used to estimate the number of animals inhabiting that area. The SSC recommended the National Marine Fisheries Service not use the approach for any management purpose, and instead recommended prioritizing gathering additional tagging and genetic data outside of the EEZ. 

Pelagic FKWs are known to take bait and catch from longline fishing gear, and may be accidentally caught in these fisheries. Most FKWs accidentally caught in the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery are released alive. However, NMFS considers most of these interactions to be “serious injuries” if the hook or other part of the longline gear is left on the animal. The abundance estimates for FKWs are used to estimate the maximum number of individuals that can be removed from a population without causing it to decline below a sustainable level. 

Recent Publication on Gaps in Biodiversity Protection

The SSC discussed a presentation on a new scientific framework published in a recent scientific journal aiming to evaluate marine biodiversity across different spatial scales. The framework emphasizes identifying ecologically and societally important marine species, characterizing effective protection networks and using existing data. The authors’ analysis found current U.S. marine protected areas contain only a fraction of the nation’s marine biodiversity, with none meeting all criteria for effective protection. 

However, the SSC highlighted the contentious nature of defining “protection” and raised concerns about the assumption that total area closures are the most effective means of protection. The SSC noted a total closure might not be as effective as technical measures for specific conservation and fisheries management objectives.

SSC members highlighted the importance of identifying threats to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation measures. They emphasized that threats like climate change and human activities are significant concerns for biodiversity protection, which may not be fully addressed by protected areas alone. Despite the report showing 97% of the biodiversity claimed to be protected in the United States is within the Western Pacific Region, the SSC asserted the report is not a fair assessment of conservation measures implemented throughout the nation.

The SSC recommended the Council work with the Council Coordination Committee, comprising the eight regional fishery management councils, to ensure proposed conservation measures address identifiable threats and have measurable impacts in mitigating those threats.

Scientific and Statistical Committee: James Lynch (chair); Jason Biggs (Guam Div. of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources); Debra Cabrera (University of Guam); Frank Camacho (University of Guam); Milani Chaloupka (University of Queensland); Erik Franklin (University of Hawai‘i, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology); Shelton Harley (Fisheries New Zealand); Jason Helyer (Hawai‘i Div. of Aquatic Resources); Ray Hilborn (University of Washington); Justin Hospital (National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center); Dave Itano (Fisheries Consultant); Donald Kobayashi (NMFS PIFSC); Steve Martell (Sea State Inc.); Domingo Ochavillo (American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources); Graham Pilling (The Pacific Community); Craig Severance (University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, retired); Francisco Villagomez (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Div. of Fish & Wildlife); Charles Littnan (ex-officio) (NMFS PIFSC).

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council: Secretary of Commerce appointees from nominees selected by American Samoa, the CNMI, Guam and Hawai‘i governors: Will Sword, noncommercial fisherman/engineer (American Samoa) (chair); Roger Dang, Fresh Island Fish Co. (Hawai‘i) (vice chair); Manny Dueñas, Guam Fishermen’s Cooperative Association (Guam) (vice chair); Judith Guthertz, University of Guam (Guam); Pete Itibus, noncommercial fisher (CNMI); Shaelene Kamaka‘ala, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (Hawai‘i); Matt Ramsey, Conservation International (Hawai‘i); and Gene Weaver, CNMI Judiciary (CNMI). Designated state officials: Dawn Chang, Hawai‘i Dept. of Land & Natural Resources; Sylvan Igisomar, CNMI Dept. of Lands & Natural Resources (vice chair); Chelsa Muña, Guam Dept. of Agriculture; and Archie Soliai, American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources (vice chair). Designated federal officials (voting): Sarah Malloy (acting), NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office. Designated federal officials (nonvoting): Colin Brinkman, U.S. State Dept.; Brian Peck, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; and RADM Michael Day, U.S. Coast Guard 14th District.