PIFN Winter 2026+Insert_FINAL WEB

PACIFIC ISLANDS FISHERY NEWS

Newsletter of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council / Winter 2026

Rebuilding LahainaThe Capitol of the Hawaiian Kingdom

For centuries, Lahaina has been a place of profound cultural, political, economic and maritime significance. Once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom in the early nineteenth century, Lahaina served as a center of governance, trade and diplomacy, and is the final resting place of Queen Keōpūolani, wife of Kamehameha Nui.

Lahaina has also long been a fishing community. In the heart of the town, buried under Malu‘uluolele Park, is the site of a historic fishpond called Mokuhinia and a little island named Moku‘ula that served as a royal residence of the Kamehameha line. During the sugar plantation era, water was diverted before it could reach the pond, which was eventually filled and leveled, seal i ng this important cultural and aquacultural site in place.

Even without the pond, Lahaina’s nearshore waters and offshore fishing grounds continued to sustain generations of Maui families. To this day, fishing is central to the town’s economy and identity. Lahaina also grew to become a hub for agriculture and maritime commerce, a role shaping its multicultural community.

On Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina burned in hours, but the work of caring for its recovery has taken every day since. In the first chaotic weeks, community members moved supplies by boat, organized food and clothing drives, and created makeshift housing so families could stay close to home as they navigated loss and uncertainty. Just as urgently, cultural practitioners stepped forward to ensure this revival respected the survivors, the place and those who were lost.

In that early surge of response, another need became clear: the government’s scale of operations, necessary as it was, should not override cultural priorities in a place where ʻiwi kūpuna (ancestral remains) and moʻokūʻauhau (genealogy) are inseparable from the land. One such group, Nā ʻAikāne o Maui, helped manage the influx of people into sensitive areas by setting guidelines, providing security and keeping a watchful presence as outside assistance arrived,

Maui Feeding Frenzy Fishing Tournament organizers and volunteers load freshly caught fish into an ice-packed truck for later donation to community members in need. Photo: Matt Ramsey.

to safeguard care and respect for Lahaina’s inherent values.

‘Aha Moku Work in Real Time

For Keʻeaumoku and Uʻilani Kapu, this was not a new mission — it was their committed kuleana (responsibility). With deep ties to Lahaina and long­standing involvement in community­based management, they have worked to ensure that response and rebuilding honor Native Hawaiian practices and culture alongside agency requirements. Their efforts show what ʻaha moku (traditional district council) practice looks like in real time: practitioners of both land and sea helping shape government decisions, rather than merely complying with top­down policies after they’ve been declared. In Lahaina, that translated into protecting the community, its culture and sensitive resources against ill­advised plans

PACIFIC ISLANDS

FISHERY NEWS is published by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400 Honolulu, HI 96813

www.wpcouncil.org

Telephone: (808) 522-8220

Fax: (808) 522-8226 info@wpcouncil.org

CHAIR

Nathan Ilaoa — American Samoa

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kitty M. Simonds

All rights reserved.

Rebuilding Lahaina

for recovery.

STORY ICON KEY

Dedicated to ecosystem-based fisheries management in the U.S. Pacific Islands.

That connection matters to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. The Kapu ʻohana (family) have participated in the Council’s puwalu (community gathering) meetings and started up the ‘Aha Moku Advisory Committee through Act 212, signed by Gov. Linda Lingle in 2007, and later Act 288, signed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie in 2012.¹ Following its enactment, the ʻAha Moku ʻo Maui emerged as a forum for bringing ʻike kupuna (ancestral knowledge) and commu n ity priorities into public decision­making.

For the Kapu ʻohana, kuleana also meant addressing practical barriers to recovery. Many residents chose to remain on or near their properties, concerned that leaving, even temporarily, might lead to permanent displacement. Keʻeaumoku and his team pursued resources to support those families, including grants for essentials such as solarpowered generators. To date, through their non­profit organization, the Kapu ʻohana have built 16 solar­powered generators and helped establish the cultural procedures and training required for official agencies to enter the firedamaged areas.

Fishing, Food Security and the Loss of Harbor Access

Lahaina’s devastation was also a story of food security. Before the fire, Lahaina Small Boat

Harbor supported commercial and charter fishing activity that helped supply local seafood to Maui families and businesses, with about 1,000 fishing trips a year — primarily charters — and up to 100,000 pounds of fish annually, according to the Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources.

The fire badly damaged the 99­slip harbor, destroyed most vessels (leaving only 13 boats), and impacted nearshore waters with oil and debris. The destruction affected 26 commercial marine license holders, some not renewing their permits after losing vessels. Maui Now reported in 2024 that before the fires, 12 commercial fishing boats operated out of Lahaina Harbor and six out of Māʻalaea; afterward, that combined total fell by about half.

The disruption extended beyond the harbor itself: Mala Wharf, a couple of blocks away, was shut down for two months, interrupting the flow of pelagic catch such as mahimahi and forcing fishers to launch from Māʻalaea Small Boat Harbor or travel to Kīhei or Kahului to keep operating.

Recognizing the Need, the Community Fed the Community

Even with harbor access disrupted and boats lost, people still needed to eat. That’s why the community’s fishing and practitioner networks stepped up directly. The Maui Feeding Frenzy Fishing Tournament (formerly known as the

Lahaina Jackpot) was held last Oct. 31–Nov. 1, 2025, not just as a competition but as a way to put food back into community hands.

Organized by community members and volunteers, including Chimo Shipp, Fresh Help Maui, and Ben Walin of the Maui Trailer Boat Club, the tournament brought together 23 boats that collectively landed nearly 4,800 pounds of fish (roughly 9,600 half­pound servings), including marlin, ʻahi (tuna), and ta‘ape (bluestripe snapper), for donation to families in need.

Another hopeful sign of progress occurred last Dec. 15, 2025, when the state began allowing limited commercial boat operations to resume at Lahaina Harbor

for the first time since the wildfire. The reopening was purposely cautious — daytime operations only and tightly controlled vessel activity — reflecting both the scale of damage and the fragility of the area. It is one of the first steps toward restoring a working harbor that supports local livelihoods and local food.

“We Will Rebuild” is Work — Not a Slogan

As rebuilding unfolds, Keʻeaumoku offers a reminder of Lahaina’s deeper identity: “Lahaina is not the whaling town — this is the Town of the Kingdom. So, let’s pay honor and tribute to the things that made Lahaina what it is, and what Lahaina will always be — part of Ko Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina [the Hawaiian Archipelago)].”

The fire badly damaged the 99-slip harbor, destroyed most vessels (leaving only 13 boats), and impacted nearshore waters with oil and debris.

From insisting on protocol and protecting ʻiwi kūpuna, to navigating the realities of disaster recovery on the ground, to fishers feeding families despite the loss of a working harbor — these are examples of kuleana at work. They are also reminders of why practitioner­led processes like puwalu and ʻaha moku matter: they help determine that as government responds, it does so with the benefit of community guidance.

¹ The work of rebuilding Lahaina also continues a longer history of community­based Native Hawaiian governance. Three major Ho‘ohanohano I Nā Kūpuna puwalu in 2006 helped lay the foundation for state recognition of the ʻaha moku system, first through Act 212, signed by Gov. Linda Lingle on June 27, 2007, and later through Act 288, signed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie on July 9, 2012, which placed the ʻAha Moku Advisory Committee within DLNR; the committee is made up of representatives from the island ʻaha moku councils.

205th Council Meeting Highlights

December 16-17, 2025

““Prior to the establishment of the monument in 2009, we stewarded our own waters. With the monument, only the feds are in charge and no one else has a say.”

Marine National Monuments: Council Pushes for Analysis of Fishing Prohibitions

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council took another step toward restoring sustainable commercial fishing in waters within several Pacific marine national monuments considered pristine when they were established. The Council directed its staff to continue analyzing existing regulations in the Pacific Islands Heritage, Rose Atoll, Marianas Trench and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monuments (MNMs), with a final recommendation planned for consideration at its March 2026 meeting.

Recent presidential directives have instructed federal agencies to identify ways to reduce regulatory burdens and expand opportunities for commercial fishing in monument waters. In response, the Council is preparing a range of options aimed at returning com mercial fishing to these areas under sustainable management.

“Prior to the establishment of the monument in 2009, we stewarded our own waters. With the monument, only the feds are in charge and no one else has a say,” said Council member Nathan Ilaoa, director of American Samoa’s Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR). The Council also supported a recommendation to ask the president not to use the Antiquities Act to manage fisheries in federal waters. Ilaoa said monument fishing prohibitions undermine people’s ability to fish and provide food for the community and said Pacific Islanders

Nathan Ilaoa was appointed as AS DMWR director in July 2025. Courtesy of Nathan Ilaoa.

are unfairly required to bear the burden of the country’s environmental guilt.

Council members stressed the need for additional data and, if commercial fishing is restored, emphasized it must be done the right way — under existing federal fishery management authority, with strong monitoring and clear performance measures. During public comment, commenters were split: several supported reopening monument waters (especially the Marianas Trench) if done cautiously under enhanced regulations and paired with baseline studies and adaptive management to support local livelihoods and food security, while others urged no action and keeping existing protections, par t ic ularly for Rose Atoll and Papahānaumokuākea, citing cultural importance, consultation and legal concerns, and potential ecological harm.

The Council acknowledged letters to NOAA from the governors of American Samoa and the CNMI supporting fishing. One member expressed disappointment with the governor of Hawai‘i’s letter to NOAA to keep fishing prohibitions in the Papahānaumokuākea and Pacific Islands Heritage MNMs, arguing that locally based, well­managed fisheries are integral to Hawai‘i’s food security and economic fabric and that the state’s longline fisheries represent its

largest agricultural product.

By the numbers:

• W ild­caught pelagic fisheries in the Western Pacific generated about $108 million in revenue in 2024, including about $105 million from the Hawai‘i longline fishery (2024 Council Stock Assessment and Fisheries Evaluation report).

• Hawai‘i’s seafood consumption is estimated at more than twice the national average; once local catch is transformed into value­added products like poke, its economic contribution grows further.

• For context across primary production in Hawaiʻi, USDA reports 2024 values of about $53 million for coffee and about $42 million for macadamia nuts.

The Council recommended the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) provide funding to the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) to implement cooperative research that partners with commercial fishers to collect baseline information in monument waters.

The Council also endorsed Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) research priorities, including:

• Collecting catch/bycatch data suitable for model­based evaluation of policy impacts

• A ssessing foreign fishing impacts versus domestic fishing near U.S. waters

• Tagging/telemetry and other lowimpact research to evaluate species movement

• A ssessing monument­related fishery impacts on markets

• Co­designing research with fishing and indigenous communities, as appropriate

Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds said research funding is needed to keep fisheries sustainable and protected. “While it is NMFS’s job to do research, funds are not available because the administration has to deal with other pressing issues,” said Simonds. “Organizations that helped the government establish the monuments have an obligation to help make this happen.”

2026–2029 CNMI Bottomfish Catch Limits

The Council recommended setting the annual catch limit for the CNMI bottomfish fishery at 72,000 pounds and the annual catch target at 66,000 pounds for 2026–2029, based on the NMFS 2025 stock assessment update and application of the Council’s P* and SEEM analyses to account for scientific and management uncertainty.

Electronic Monitoring: Moving From Planning to Implementation

The Council heard an update on electronic monitoring (EM) planning for Hawai‘i and American Samoa longline fisheries, including coordination among

implementation and science partners, fisherman­focused EM forums that began November 25, and continued development of vessel monitoring plans. Operational topics included pretrip system checks and uninterrupted power, camera clarity and lens cleaning, malfunction contingencies and hard drive logistics — especially for longer American Samoa trips.

To support reliable communication at sea, the Council endorsed a Regional Fishery Management Councils letter urging consideration of web­based satellite systems (such as Starlink) as FCC­approved communications options for commercial fishing vessels, noting EM systems could potentially use these mechanisms and that several vessels in the region are already using them successfully. Council members Edgar Feliciano and Roger Dang supported authorizing systems like Starlink for EM, citing performance, safety, troubleshooting benefits and the need for reliable data transmission as the program rolls out through 2027.

False Killer Whales: Population Trend Questions

The Council addressed concerns about new abundance estimates for the endangered main Hawaiian Islands insular false killer whale population and emphasized the need for clear, transparent analysis before conclusions are drawn about what

may be driving the apparent decline. The Council reiterated its request for PIFSC to present the abundance estimates to the SSC (a briefing previously delayed due to the government shutdown) and requested additional analyses identified at the SSC’s 148th meeting in June 2023 to determine whether the estimated decline is real or an artifact of the underlying data or modeling approach.

During discussion, Council member Matt Ramsey emphasized that public reaction to the reported decline has been immediate and intense, and urged timely scientific clarity so the community is not “jumping to conclusions.” PIFSC’s TTodd Jones indicated the science center would provide the requested briefing at the Council’s March 2026 meeting.

TROLL ON IN TO THIS ISSUE

1 Rebuilding Lahaina -The Capitol of the Hawaiian Kingdom

4 205th Council Meeting Highlights December 16-17, 2025

6 MSA: Keeping America Fishing for 50 Years

8 Territories’ Unified Voice Delivers Albacore Breakthrough at WCPFC22 and Shapes 2026 Priorities

9 Managing Protected Species Interactions in a Changing Ocean

10 Community Voices Concerns about Deep-Sea Mining in the Marianas

12 FAS Community Hosts Inaugural Fishing Derby

13 CNMI AP Advances Fisheries Education and Community Outreach Through 2023–2026 Term

14 Community Input Shapes Rose Atoll Discussions

16 Council Family Updates

16 Congressional Corner

17 Get to Know Your Council Members: Jesse Rosario

18 New Outreach Resources

19 Recipe: Island-Style Fish Chowder

19 2026 Council Calendar

20 Upcoming Events

MSA: Keeping America Fishing for 50 Years

— because Congress had the foresight to enact a law designed not just for today’s fishermen, but for generations to come. The MSA embodies a simple but powerful idea: if fisheries are managed responsibly, Americans can fish forever.

Back in 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence:

“We hold these truths to be self­evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

For many Americans, that life and pursuit of happiness is fishing.

From sea to shining sea, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026 with festivities, fireworks and reflection on the ideals that shaped the nation. That same year will also mark many other anniversaries — some lighthearted, some cultural, some nostalgic. Yet few milestones carry the lasting national importance of the 50th anniversary of the Magnuson­Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), the primary law governing marine fisheries in the United States.

America’s seas are still shining — rich with fish, opportunity and communities

Originally enacted as the Fishery Conservation and Management Act and signed into law by President Gerald Ford on April 13, 1976, the statute fun­

Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans and Atmosphere in Washington D.C. on Dec. 6, 1973. Source: National Fisherman.

damentally reshaped how the United States managed its marine resources. The law was later renamed for Senators Warren Magnuson of Washington and Ted Stevens of Alaska — two champions

of American fisheries.

At its core, the MSA established U.S. authority over fisheries in federal waters out to 200 nautical miles, creating what is now known as the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Its purposes were clear:

• Promote the development of sustainable U.S. fisheries;

• End unchecked foreign fishing off American coasts;

• Conserve fish stocks for long­term use; and

• Create a science­based management system with regional input.

To achieve these goals, the Act created regional fishery management councils, bringing fishermen, scientists and government officials together to manage fisheries based on local conditions and the best available science.

By nearly every measure, the MSA has delivered on its original promise. But that hasn’t stopped Congress from updating the law to meet the needs facing fisheries today. Over the past five decades, the Act has been amended to respond to changing conditions, improved science and evolving public expectations. Important amendments in 1996 and 2006 helped

Inaugural members of the eight regional fishery management councils met in Virginia in September 1976. The group photo of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council includes (front row, from left) Isaac Ikehara, Frank Goto, Michio Takata, Wadsworth Yee, Frank Aguon, Richard Waas, Paul Bordallo; (back row, from left) Peter Fithian, John Caffrey, Floyd Anders, Lealaifuaneva Peter Reid Jr. and Louis Agard.

to identify additional goals: preventing overfishing and rebuilding depleted stocks; establishing annual catch limits; protecting essential fish habitat; considering fishing communities; and requiring regulations be developed based on the best scientific information available. Rather than weakening the law, these amendments have reinforced its foundation — ensuring that conservation and fishing opportunity move forward together.

Today, U.S. fisheries generate major economic benefits: commercial landings are valued at nearly $6 billion and contribute more than $300 billion to the U.S. economy, while noncommercial fishing, including sportfishing, recreational and subsistence fishing, adds $230 billion annually, supports over a million jobs and contributes $70 billion more.

Foreign fishing — once rampant just beyond U.S. shores — is now virtually nonexistent within the U.S. EEZ. On the high seas, illegal and unregulated fishing is actively monitored and addressed through international treaties and regional fishery management organizations, many of which were shaped by the U.S. approach embodied in the MSA. Perhaps most importantly, fish stocks that were once overfished have been rebuilt, proving that strong management works when paired with compliance, enforcement and good science. As a result, U.S. fisheries are regarded as

among the best managed in the world.

Nowhere is the effectiveness of the MSA more evident than in the Western Pacific region, where diverse fisheries span vast ocean areas and support cultura lly and economically significant fishing traditions. Through the MSA, the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council has:

• Adapted to new fisheries by developing limited­access programs and being the first to require vessel monitoring systems;

• Addressed bycatch issues by tackling unwanted protected species interactions through mandating crew training on protected species handling and developing tools for mitigating interactions;

• Shifted to ecosystem­based management through development of the nation’s first fishery ecosystem plans; and

• Evolved strategies to support native peoples through the recognition of traditional ecological knowledge and community­based management.

These accomplishments demonstrate how a national law can be flexibly applied to meet regional needs while maintaining consistent conservation standards.

As the law enters its second half­century,

new challenges lie ahead. Climate change, shifting fish distributions, advancing technology and increasing ocean use will test fisheries management in ways unimaginable in 1976.

The strength of the MSA lies in its adaptability. With continued commitment to science, community engagement and enforcement, the MSA can help U.S. fisheries lead the world in addressing climate­driven changes, improving ecosystem­based management, supporting fishing communities and native cultures, and ensuring access and opportunity for future generations.

The same principles that guided its creation — stewardship, responsibility and fairness — remain as relevant today as they were 50 years ago. When Jefferson wrote of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, he could not have imagined satellite monitoring, stock assessments or fishery management councils. But he understood the importance of safeguarding opportunity for those who would follow.

Seafood is a deeply rooted part of Pacific Islanders’ culture. Pictured is a tuna sashimi, oka and shrimp spread in American Samoa.

Fifty years after its passage, the Magnuson­Stevens Act stands as a testament to that vision. It proves that conservation and commerce are not opposing forces, and that thoughtful lawmaking can protect both natural resources and the people who depend on them. As the nation celebrates 250 years of independence in 2026, the 50th anniversary of the Magnuson­Stevens Act reminds us that some of America’s most enduring successes are found not just on land, but in the waters that surround it — and in a commitment to fish, responsibly, forever.

Territories’ Unified Voice Delivers Albacore Breakthrough at WCPFC22 and Shapes 2026 Priorities

Territorial Leadership and Unified Positions

Nathan Ilaoa, a member of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and director of American Samoa’s Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, championed a more conservative MP, warning that weaker controls would deepen inequities for small­island fleets with high costs and low catch rates and advantage large, subsidized distant­water fleets.

Territorial leaders from Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands supported American Samoa and other Pacific Island delegations, noting that these positions align with protecting island food security and economies.

The 22nd Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC22), held in Manila, Philippines, Dec. 1–5, 2025, closed with a major milestone for the South Pacific albacore fishery: WCPFC members unanimously adopted a management procedure (MP) designed to secure the long­term future of the stock and improve stability for domestic and small­island fleets.

A New Management Procedure for South Pacific Albacore

By consensus, WCPFC adopted an MP that caps annual catches in WCPFC waters at about 56,000 metric tons, using a harvest control rule that adjusts catches based on estimated stock biomass with a goal of maintaining the fishery at a target biomass level.

The MP is expected to reduce total South Pacific albacore catches by rough ly 10–12% from recent years — an outcome anticipated to relieve oversupply, improve market conditions, and better support small­island fleets, including the U.S.­flagged American Samoa longline fleet.

Why This Mattered for American Samoa

The decision comes at a critical time for American Samoa’s longline fleet. The fishery faced record­low prices in 2024, including a 26% decline from 2023, and WCPFC’s Scientific Committee reported in August 2025 that economic conditions for South Pacific albacore longline fisheries were the worst on record — driven by low prices and rising operating costs.

While the South Pacific albacore stock is assessed as not overfished and not experiencing overfishing, catch rates for the American Samoa longline fishery over the last decade have fallen to less than half of those in the 2000s. The MP is expected to improve market conditions and catch rates compared with weaker alternatives.

The MP also helps secure Marine Stewardship Council certification for several South Pacific fisheries, including American Samoa. MSC required an MP to be adopted by 2026 to avoid potential suspension—an important issue for American Samoa’s fleet, which relies on certification to sell albacore to the local StarKist cannery at a premium price.

What Happens Next: Allocations and Implementation

in 2026

With the MP adopted, WCPFC members will now turn to two major tasks in 2026: negotiating catch allocations for South Pacific albacore and operationalizing the new MP. A workshop is anticipated in May 2026 in Wellington, New Zealand, to develop an allocation framework for consideration at next year’s Commission meeting.

US Advances on Bigeye Tuna and Electronic Monitoring

The U.S. delegation, led by Drew Lawler, principal deputy secretary of commerce for international fisheries at NOAA, also advanced priorities on bigeye tuna and monitoring. The United States pressed for a bigeye tuna MP in 2026 that accounts for major sources of fishing mortality, including purse seine impacts. The Commission agreed to a series of workshops in 2026 to explore those suggestions.

Council Vice Chair for Hawai‘i Roger Dang emphasized the importance of a bigeye MP that addresses juvenile fishing

Managing Protected Species Interactions in a Changing Ocean

Participants gather in Honolulu for the Council’s Feb. 4–5, 2026, workshop on protected species issues.

Fishery representatives, managers and scientists met in Honolulu Feb. 4–5, 2026, to tackle a growing challenge in the Hawai‘i longline fishery: increasing interactions with protected species.

In the last decade, both the deep ­ set and shallow­ set longline fisheries have seen higher observed interactions with Endangered Species Act­l isted oceanic whitetip sharks and sea turtles, including leatherback and loggerhead turtles. At the same time, recent population assessments show encouraging signs. Oceanic whitetip sharks in the Western and Central Pacific and North Pacific loggerhead turtles appear to be recovering, while Western Pacific leatherbacks remain a concern, though recent nesting data suggest the population may be stabilizing.

Participants discussed possible drivers, including shifting

ocean conditions, changes in fish distribution and movements of fishing effort. As ocean productivity shifts, so do the species that depend on it, creating new management challenges.

Using a structured decision­making approach, the group explored practical options for reducing protected species interactions while maintaining fishing opportunities and meeting legal requirements. The workshop was part of the Council’s Inflation Reduction Act initiative to strengthen fishery management in a changing environment, and was coordinated by Lynker and Fisheries Immersed Sciences, Hawai‘i (FISH).

The Council will review a summary of the discussion and consider next steps at its 206th meeting, March 24–26, 2026.

mortality and supports high catch rates, rather than placing the burden primarily on longline fisheries.

The United States also secured a commitment from the WCPFC to adopt a conservation and management measure for the use of electronic monitoring in 2026.

Council Follow-Up: 2026

Priorities for Albacore and Bigeye Tuna

Building on WCPFC22 outcomes, the Council outlined near­term actions to support U.S. Pacific Islands interests in upcoming international negotiations:

• R equested the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) work with American Samoa to provide updated South Pacific albacore catch and economic data to inform early 2026 allocation discussions.

• Urged NMFS to coordinate with the territories on a plan to pursue a South Pacific albacore conservation and management measure that would:

~ Set an American Samoa catch limit grounded in historical (or aspirational) catch levels and longline capacity,

~ I nclude transfer provisions that recog n ize American Samoa’s relation ship with the U.S. and its role in the Commission, and

~ A llow flexible transfers to other WCPFC members, recognizing American Samoa’s limited direct access to high seas fishing areas.

• Sought support for an in­person bigeye tuna MP workshop in Honolulu to improve participation by the local longline industry.

Protestors in Tamuning, Guam hold up signs in opposition to deep-sea mining in waters east of the Mariana Islands, near the Marianas Trench, on Dec. 11, 2025. Photo: Pacific Daily News/Joe Taitano.

Community Voices Concerns about Deep-Sea Mining in the Marianas

Deep-sea mining has quickly become one of the most pressing and controversial ocean issues facing Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Recent federal actions have raised concerns among local leaders, fishers, environmental advocates and community members about potential impacts to ocean habitats, fishing opportunities, and the cultural and economic ties island communities have to the sea.

What Happened?

On Nov. 12, 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a request for information and interest on potential deep­sea mining east of the island chain. The notice came shortly after the federal government reopened following a 43 ­day closure and just months after a similar comment period closed for American Samoa in August 2025.

The proposed leasing area spans more than 35 million acres of seafloor. While the request does not authorize mining,

many view it as an early step that could lead to irreversible environmental, cultural and economic impacts.

Local officials in Guam and the CNMI said they were caught off guard by the short notice. BOEM opened a 30 ­day comment period (through Dec. 12, 2025), and the governors secured a 30 ­day extension to Jan. 12, 2026. As communities sought information and weighed in, deep­sea mining quickly became contentious, with public hearings, protests and meetings held across the islands, including a Saipan town hall (Dec. 23, 2025), a Guam comment workshop (Jan. 7, 2026) and outreach meetings on Rota (Jan. 7, 2026) and Tinian (Jan. 9, 2026).

Key Concerns Raised by Fishers and Community Members

Concerns include the possibility that sediment plumes from seabed mining could disrupt marine ecosystems, harm coral and deep­sea habitats, and affect migratory fish and their

Concerns include the possibility that sediment plumes from seabed mining could disrupt marine ecosystems, harm coral and deep-sea habitats, and affect migratory fish and their food.

food. Fishing grounds north of Guam are described as rich in biomass and critical to local fishers.

Community members also noted that additional closures related to mining activity could further restrict access to already limited fishing areas, including zones that are currently off­l imits due to military firing ranges.

Beyond ecological impacts, many emphasized the ocean’s deep cultural significance. Residents have expressed fears of irreversible harm to traditions, subsistence practices and community identity.

Public and Policy Response

On Jan. 7, 2026, the Guam Legislature held a public hearing on a resolution introduced by Sen. Therese Terlaje calling for a moratorium on deep­sea mining in territorial waters to protect the legal, economic, social, cultural and environmental rights of the people of Guam. Testimony in support of the resolution was described as unanimous, including from multiple government agencies.

The resolution urges a moratorium on mining activities roughly 128 miles offshore of Guam and CNMI. Building on this, lawmakers introduced Bill 253 ­38, which would ban mineral extraction from Guam’s seabed in territorial waters and empower the Port Authority of Guam to “delay or deny” port entry for any unlicensed or unpermitted vessel intended for deep­sea mining.

Gov. Lourdes Leon Guerrero has also opposed the federal

push for seabed mining, saying Guam has not been included in meaningful discussions with the federal government.

Guam Congressman James Moylan and other delegates called on BOEM and the U.S. Department of the Interior to enter into a formal coordination and consultation agreement with Guam and CNMI under Section 19 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. They emphasized that the proposed leasing area lies roughly between Guam and Rota, meaning any mining activity could have interterritorial impacts.

CNMI Congresswoman Kimberlyn King­H inds underscored the irreversible nature of the risk, stating, “In places like the Marianas, American Samoa, Guam, we don’t get the luxury of being wrong. Any decision impacting our ocean is permanent.” She also highlighted how directly island communities depend on the ocean, noting it is “not just deeply tied to our identity, our culture… the ocean is a refrigerator for many of the people in our community.”

Council Voices and the Importance of Local Knowledge

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council CNMI Advisory Panel member and traditional seafaring master navigator Cecilio Raiukiulipiy emphasized that disturbance at this scale may interfere with a specific swell that guides him and other traditional navigators—raising concerns that extend beyond the environment to tradition, culture and a way of life.

International and regional media outlets are closely watching developments in Guam and CNMI. Pacific island nations such as Palau have already imposed moratoriums on deep­sea mining, and many communities across the region continue calling for caution.

Deep ­sea mining could reshape the future of these islands, with potentially lasting consequences. Community input has already played a powerful role in shaping public debate and legislative action. This is a moment for island communities to speak clearly about shared priorities: healthy oceans, sustainable livelihoods and cultural heritage.

Council advisor and Guam Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources biologist Brent Tibbatts, explains effects of sediment plumes from deep-sea mining on ocean life at a community meeting in Tamuning on Dec. 11, 2025. Photo: Pacific Daily News/ Joe Taitano.

FAS Community Hosts Inaugural Fishing Derby

Members of Foneni Achocho Sensu (FAS, Nurture Hardwork through Sports), representing the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) community in Guam, hosted the inaugural FAS–Yamaha Fleet Fishing Derby on Jan. 17, 2026, at the Agat and Greg D. Perez (Hagåtña) Marinas. The event brought fishers, families and partners together for friendly competition, entertainment and connection.

Organized by FAS with major sponsorship from Yamaha Guam and Ambros, Inc., the derby drew 26 boats competing for top catches across multiple categories.

Category Winners

• Heaviest Yellowfin Tuna: 31.2 pounds –Capt. Aaron Roberto

• Heaviest Skipjack Tuna: 16.2 pounds –Capt. Chris Flores

• Heaviest Mahimahi: 15.0 pounds –Capt. Dylan Bush

• Heaviest Dogtooth Tuna: 5.8 pounds –Capt. Aaron Roberto

FAS Community President John Howard thanked participants and supporters. “I’m truly grateful to the Guam community for showing strong support for this inaugural event—one we hope is the first of many,” Howard said. “We appreciate the local fishing community’s backing, and based on today’s success we’re already planning another derby, possibly this summer. Thank you to our generous sponsors, and we welcome additional partners to join us.”

Howard also recognized key agency partners for on­site support. “A special thank you to the Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources [DAWR], the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, and NOAA Fisheries for providing outreach materials, fish weighing and data collection,” he said.

DAWR Fisheries Supervisor Michael Dueñas said the agency welcomes continued collaboration. “Quality data supports fisheries and resource management. Because FAS fishers are on the water consistently, their participation can strengthen what we learn from the fishery. DAWR is ready to support future events and ongoing data collection.”

From top: Capt. Aaron Roberto (center, holding Council bags), celebrates winning the heaviest yellowfin and dogtooth tuna categories at the inaugural FAS–Yamaha Fleet Fishing Derby (Jan. 17, 2026). Middle: The winning yellowfin tuna weighed 31.2 pounds (left). Inset: DAWR's Brent Tibbatts (left) records catch information with FAS member John Patis during the derby weigh-in.

CNMI AP Advances Fisheries

Education and Community Outreach Through 2023–2026 Term

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Advisory Panel (AP) worked throughout its 2023–2026 term to educate and support local fishers through outreach, safety training and coordination. This work reflects the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s bottomup approach to fisheries management by elevating local knowledge, strengthening two­way communication and encouraging participation in federal decision­making.

From 2024–2026, the AP prioritized practical actions that helped keep fishers informed while addressing issues that affect access, safety, infrastructure and long­term sustainability. A consistent theme across activities was connecting fishing communities with agencies and regional partners, creating more opportunities for dialogue and timely information­sharing.

2024 Highlights

In 2024, the AP supported development of the 2025 Eskaleran Pulan Chamorro/ Refaluwasch Pápáál Maram (lunar calendar) and conducted outreach at local fishing tournaments and schools. Efforts also included expanding opportunities for fishers to promote and sell locally caught commercial seafood and supporting the Council’s Speakers Bureau as a key way to share fisheries information with the public.

2025 Highlights

In 2025, efforts expanded to support the 2026 lunar calendar and coordinate Fisher’s Proclamation Week activities in June, while placing additional emphasis

on fisher and seafood safety. The AP also helped draft Council comments on two military training proposals — Marine Corps Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT) and the CNMI Joint Military Training (CJMT) — and BOEM’s deep­sea mining request for information. Outreach at schools and fishing tournaments carried on, and in fall 2025 the AP drafted new outreach materials on spearfishing safety and proper tuna processing and handling, based on input from the second round of the Council’s Inflation Reduction Act­sponsored community consultation meetings.

Priorities Through 2026

Work planned through 2026 includes support for spearfisher safety training under the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s (DFW) Metaw (deep ocean) Initiative, annual observance of Fisher’s Proclamation Week, participation in the Speakers Bureau and involvement in military coordination efforts. The AP will also contribute to the Council’s 2027 lunar calendar and share updates on external issues that may affect CNMI fisheries, including deep­sea mining, commercial fishing activity within the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument and seafood competitiveness.

Two focus areas shaped much of the AP’s work: military coordination and spearfisher safety.

Military Expansion Coordination

Military build­up and expansion across Guam, Tinian and Rota remained a major concern for small­boat fishers. Through

the Marianas Military Expansion Working Group, the AP supported informationsharing among advisory bodies, military representatives, port authorities and other partners. Key topics included clearer communication about firing range operations and notices to mariners, marina and harbor infrastructure needs, and mitigation measures such as infrastructure improvements, fisheries viability studies and potential fish aggregating device deployments.

Fisher Safety

Fisher safety was also a priority, particularly in response to spearfishing­related incidents. In 2025, DFW initiated annual spearfisher safety workshops addressing free­d iving training gaps, environmental awareness and drowning prevention. DFW held a well­attended public workshop in June 2025 and plans to expand training through 2026. The AP also plans to publish a spearfishing safety flyer to reinforce key messages.

Looking ahead, the AP is planning a CNMI Fishers Forum to provide a reg u lar space for agencies and fishing communities to discuss shared challenges such as climate impacts, shark depredation and fisheries management concerns. Additional ideas explored during the term included encouraging women’s participation in fishing through a potential all­women fishing derby or workshop, and education on fish processing and handling to support food safety, product quality and market readiness.

Visit the Council website for more information and a list of current AP members. Stay tuned! Solicitations for new members for the 2027–2030 term will be released this summer.

Websites

Lunar Calendars ­ www.wpcouncil.org/ educational-resources/lunar-calendars

Speakers Bureau ­www.wpcouncil.org/ educational-resources/speakers-bureau Advisory Panel ­ www.wpcouncil.org/ about-us/advisory-groups/advisory-panel

Building connections where it matters — AP members hosting the Council’s outreach booth and sharing fisheries information with the community.

Rose Atoll (Nu‘u o Manu), located east of the Manu‘a Islands, is the only true atoll in the Samoan Archipelago and has been designated as a marine national monument since 2009. Photo: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service/Ian Shive.

Community Input Shapes

Rose Atoll Discussions

Fishing access near Rose Atoll is back in the conversation — and people across American Samoa have strong, thoughtful views on what should happen next.

Rose Atoll (Nu‘u o Manu or Muliava) lies about 78 nautical miles (nm) east of Ta‘ū and is the only true atoll in the Samoan Archipelago. President George W. Bush established the area as a marine national monument in 2009, prohibiting commercial fishing while allowing limited noncommercial subsistence fishing by indigenous people outside 12 nautical miles through a federal permit process.

What Prompted the Review

The topic resurfaced in April 2025 after a federal directive called for a review of commercial fishing restrictions in U.S. marine national monuments. At the same time, American Samoa Gov. Pulaali‘i Nikolao Pula asked the U.S. secretary of commerce to consider options to restore commercial fishing access, citing concerns about local economic conditions and food security.

In response, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council began examining what options might exist for Pacific monuments, including whether regulated commercial fishing could be considered in offshore waters of the Rose Atoll monument (12 to 50 nm from the atoll). No final decision has been made, and the Council’s focus to date has been on gathering community perspectives and improving shared understanding of the current rules and potential pathways.

How the Council Gathered Input

To ensure community voices were front and center, the Council held two rounds of community consultation meetings in June and November 2025, with sessions in Ta‘ū, Ofu, Olosega and Tutuila. The Council also received input through its regular public meetings and through advisory bodies, including the American Samoa Advisory Panel, Fishing Industry Advisory Committee and Regional Ecosystem Advisory Committee.

Community Perspectives

Community members raised a mix of concerns, priorities and hopes, with several themes coming up repeatedly.

Fishing is harder and more expensive. Many participants described rising fuel costs, unpredictable weather and changing ocean conditions. Some shared that they are traveling farther or spending more time at sea to achieve the same results. From this perspective, some suggested that if offshore access near the monument were ever allowed — and carefully controlled — it

could reduce travel distances, improve efficiency and potentially support local seafood supply.

Local economic pressures are real. People also pointed to broader challenges that affect fishing and seafood in American Samoa, including operating costs, competition from imported seafood and market pressures. For some, the bigger question is how to strengthen local food systems and keep fishing­related livelihoods viable.

Tuna move, and management tools exist. Several participants emphasized that key species such as tuna are highly migratory and range across large areas of the Pacific. Some questioned whether fixed closures are the most effective approach for managing these stocks. Others noted that if fishing were ever considered offshore, there are federal fisheries management tools that can be applied — permits, catch limits, reporting, observer coverage and protected species mitigation measures — to control fishing activity and reduce risk.

Rose Atoll is special — ecologically and culturally. Many people stressed Rose Atoll’s ecological value and described it as among the most pristine marine environments in the region. Participants referenced its importance for seabirds, sea turtles, sharks and overall ecosystem health. Just as importantly, people spoke about cultural responsibility and stewardship, describing the atoll as a place set apart and worthy of continued protection for future generations.

Concerns about unintended impacts. Some participants cautioned that even limited commercial access could bring cumulative impacts over time, such as bycatch, lost gear or ecosystem changes that may be difficult to reverse. Others emphasized that subsistence fishing access already exists through a permit process and suggested that improving outreach and transparency around current rules could help address access concerns without changing monument regulations.

What’s Next

At its December 2025 meeting, the Council reviewed information from the community consultations, advisory body discussions and public comments, but did not take final action. The Council deferred further consideration of commercial fishing in Pacific marine monuments, including Rose Atoll, to its March 2026 meeting.

In the meantime, the Council directed staff to continue technical analysis, coordinate with federal partners, and keep engaging the American Samoa Government and local communities so decision­makers have a fuller set of options and information moving forward.

www.wpcouncil.org

Council Family Updates

At its 205th meeting, the Council appointed the following as its executive officers for 2026:

• Council Chair

Nathan Ilaoa

• V ice Chair for American Samoa

Will Sword

• V ice Chair for CNMI Sylvan Igisomar

• V ice Chair for Guam Chelsa Muña

• V ice Chair for Hawai‘i

Roger Dang

Fifth Annual Western Pacific Fisher Observations Meetings Held for 2025

In late January 2026, the Council held its 2025 Fisher Observations meetings for Hawaiʻi (Jan. 27), American Samoa (Jan. 28), and the Mariana Islands (Jan. 28) to capture fishermen’s firsthand observations from the 2025 fishing year. Participants included fishermen, seafood vendors, Council and NOAA staffs, and regional Advisory Panel members.

Across the region, participants identified several shared concerns including shifting recruitment and seasonal patterns, increased shark depredation, and rising fishing costs. Fishermen described changes in the timing, abundance, and size of key species, as well as unusual ocean conditions — such as stronger currents, heavy rainfall in some areas, and warmer waters

Congressional Corner

— that may be affecting fish behavior and access. Shark interactions were repeatedly cited as more frequent and more severe, resulting in lost catch and damaged gear.

The discussions also highlighted ongoing economic and infrastructure challenges, including high fuel costs, weak fish prices, underreporting tied to burdensome reporting systems, deteriorating harbor and dock conditions, limited shoreline and marina access, and insufficient fish aggregation device support in some areas. At the same time, participants noted localized signs of strong recruitment for some species. Overall, the meetings reinforced the value of fishermen’s observations in helping the Council better understand regional fishery conditions beyond what is reflected in landings data alone.

The second year of the 119th Congress is off and running in 2026, with lawmakers hoping to get bills passed and signed by the President before the start of election season. After recent months dominated by budgets and shutdown concerns, many fishing and fisheries bills were pushed to the back burner, but a few began moving in the new year.

The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests, or FISH Act of 2025 (S. 688 — introduced by Sen. Sullivan [RAK]), took a step forward in January. The bill aims to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing at its source by developing a policy that prioritizes prevention efforts. It also directs the government to create an IUU vessel list to identify vessels known to engage in these activities. Another bill focused on the same issue, the Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2025 (S. 1369 — introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine [D­VA]), supports agreements with other countries and authorizes the president to impose sanctions on countries that continue to enable these practices. Congress is also weighing the bipartisan Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act, which would establish a framework for commercial­scale offshore aquaculture demonstration projects in federal waters, with research and oversight requirements built in.

Endangered species was a priority of Congress through the first year of the biennial, and it appears to remain a theme in year two. The Endangered Species Act Amendments Act of 2025 (H.R. 1897 — introduced by Rep. Bruce Westerman [R­A R]) would optimize conservation through resource prioritization and provide greater incentives to recover listed species. It also proposes to

Congressional Corner Get to Know Your Council Members: Jesse Rosario

streamline permitting processes and eliminate barriers to conservation. Several other bills on endangered species and marine mammals were introduced last year, with subcommittee hearings indicating these issues continue to be a concern for this Congress.

Speaking of hearings, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a Jan. 21, 2026, hearing titled “America First: U.S. Leadership and National Security in International Conservation.” The hearing addressed the impacts of IUU fish entering the U.S. market and options to reduce harm to the U.S. fishing industry. Among those invited to testify was Dr. Eric Kingma, executive director of the Hawaii Longline Association. He testified that the U.S. seafood market is being dominated by cheap foreign imports, including fish from IUU fisheries tied to transnational crime syndicates, as well as fisheries that overfish, destroy habitat and have high bycatch of protected species. He suggested leveling the playing field by restricting imports, engaging international management organizations, eliminating foreign subsidies and implementing supply chain tracking for imports. The subcommittee may continue to pursue efforts to combat illegal trade and protect the domestic market as this session continues.

As Congress prepares for the midterm elections in the fall, additional bills may be introduced and others may move forward. For a full list of bills that the Council is following, visit www. wpcouncil.org/legislation and www. congress.gov for more details.

Learn about the people who balance competing interests while trying to make fishery management decisions for the overall benefit of the nation.

Jesse Rosario retired from the University of Guam College of Natural and Applied Sciences in 2019. A longtime member of the Guam Fishermen’s Cooperative Association, he served for many years on the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s Guam Advisory Panel and became a Council member in August 2025. Rosario brings a unique perspective as part of the Tenbat family, known for generations of traditional fishing around Guam and offshore fishing for pelagic species.

You’re familiar with the Council process, but new as a voting member. How do you hope to support the Council and Guam’s fishing community?

My goal is to support our fishing community across the region by helping ensure we have a sustainable fisheries management program for the future. Good management decisions depend on the collection and sharing of information and knowledge from our island fishermen and the fishing industry.

Guam’s fisheries face real challenges — and promising opportunities. What steps do you think can address current issues while strengthening the fishery for the future?

Challenges will always be around, but by engaging and being upfront with our fish ing industry and fishing community, we can create promising opportunities for the future. The Council relies heavily on the experiences of fishermen and fishing communities, along with the data they provide, to support informed scientific analysis and management decisions. Therefore, we as Council members are most effective when we strengthen our relationship with fishermen, the fishing industry and the public.

What changes would help ensure more fresh, locally caught seafood is available for Guam’s families and markets?

The government should implement stronger measures to regulate and label imported seafood so it cannot be marketed simply as "fresh fish" without clearly disclosing its origin. Requiring country­of­origin labeling for all seafood sold in stores and restaurants would help people better understand where their food truly comes from and make it easier to identify truly fresh, island­caught options.

To support our local fishers, we need targeted incentives, such as fuel subsidies, gear upgrades, or market access programs. That would help encourage sustainable fishing, make locally harvested fish more competitive and widely available in our markets and on our dinner tables, and provide greater economic stability for our fishermen.

What does effective fishery management look like to you?

Effective fishery management is when ALL OF US take pride in and protect our ocean resources using adaptable management practices. Through effective management, fish spawning, growth and abundance can be realized. It also includes monitoring species abundance by collecting catch data and determining whether a species is being overfished or needs closer monitoring to support recovery. Lastly, what is your favorite fish to eat?

My favorite is all types of fresh fish — raw, cooked or otherwise — as well as other seafood. It’s healthy, nutritious and tastes great.

New Outreach Resources

The 2026 traditional lunar calendars are now available for Hawaiʻi, American Samoa, Guam and the CNMI. These calendars are designed to promote ecosystem­based fisheries management, support indigenous fishing and stewardship practices, and encourage community involvement in fisheries decision­making.

Kaulana Mahina

Hawaiian Lunar Calendar

January 19, 2026 - February 6, 2027

The larger, classroom­style calendars include tide charts, lunar rise and set times, and moon phases for each 29­ or 30 ­day lunar month. They also feature the lunar months, moon phases, and traditional calendar names in regional languages.

The 2026 theme, “Fish Are Food: A Way of Life,” highlights the vital role seafood plays in island health, cultural heritage, and local livelihoods. The calendars also include messages about safe seafood handling and responsible harvesting to help sustain resources for future generations.

In addition, the Council has created a smaller, condensed version especially for fishermen in the four island areas with tide charts, daily moon phases and a lunar rise and set time summary table for the year.

All calendars can be downloaded and printed from the Council’s website at www.wpcouncil.org/ educational-resources/lunarcalendars.

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@wp_council

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Recipe Island-Style Fish Chowder

Courtesy of the Guam Fishermen’s Cooperative Association

Ingredients

1 to 1 ½ lb local fish

4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

2 to 3 onions, peeled and diced

Black pepper, to taste

Juice of half a lemon

2 to 3 tbsp soy sauce

1 hot pepper, minced (optional)

Pinch of thyme

Salt, to taste

1 cup coconut milk

1 cup light cream or evaporated milk

Corn starch (optional)

Green onions, minced

Preparation

Parrotfish

is a great choice for this recipe.

Cut fish into small cubes, removing all bones. Place fish in a pot and cook until medium well (about. 5 minutes). Immediately remove from heat. Drain and save stock. Sauté onions in pan, add water to cover potatoes and boil until tender. Drain part of the potato water. Add fish stock (total liquid should be above all ingredients), fish cubes, spices, soy sauce and lemon. Cook at medium­high heat for 1 minute. Add milk and let come to a quick boil (optional, add liquefied cornstarch to desired consistency or simmer to overcook the potatoes). Remove from heat. Add green onions. Serve with French bread, crackers or rice.

Photo: Ken-ichi Ueda/flickr (CC BY-NC)

2026

Council Calendar

Check the Council website for in-person and remote public participation options for meetings hosted by the Council.

MARCH 11

American Samoa Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Advisory Panel (AP) meeting

12

Mariana Archipelago FEP­ CN MI AP meeting (ChST)

12

Fishing Industry Advisory Committee meeting

13

Hawai‘i Archipelago and Pacific Remote Island Areas FEP AP meeting

14

Mariana Archipelago FEP­ Guam AP meeting (ChST) 17-19

159th Scientific & Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting 23

Program Planning Standing Committee (SC) meeting 23

Executive & Budget SC meeting 24-26

206th Council meeting, Honolulu

MAY 11-15

Archipelagic and Pelagic Plan Team meeting (tent) 19-21

Council Coordination Committee meeting, Homer, AK*

JUNE

2-4

160th SSC meeting 8-12

207th Council meeting, Honolulu (tent)

*Meeting not hosted by the WP Council.

Upcoming Events

The 159th Scientific & Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting will be held March 17­19, 2026, at the Council office, 1164 Bishop St., Ste. 1400, Honolulu, HI.

The meeting will be in a hybrid format, with in­person participation available for SSC members and the public, or remote participation via Webex: https://tinyurl. com/159SSCMtg

Major agenda items include: Restoring commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument (PIHMNM) (action item); 2027­2 030 main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) Kona crab fishery annual catch limit (ACL) specification (action item); Science and management priorities alignment discussion; Magnuson­ Stevens Act (MSA) research priorities update; Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) project updates; Shark depredation workshop report; SSC Special Projects Working Group reports; Endangered Species Act review of Hawai‘i deep ­set longline fishery on oceanic whitetip sharks and leatherback turtles; and Electronic monitoring implementation update and vessel monitoring plan review.

The 206th meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will be held March 24 ­2 6, 2026, at the Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom, 410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu, HI. The meeting will be in a hybrid format, with in­person participation available for Council members and the public, or remote participation via Webex: https://tinyurl. com/206CouncilMtg.

Major agenda items include: Commercial fishing in the PIHMNM recommendations (final action); Restoring commercial fishing in the Marianas Trench, Rose Atoll and Papahānaumokuākea MNMs (final action); Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Pacific Remote Island Areas (PRIA) marine conservation plans (MCPs) review (final actions); 2027­2 030 MHI Kona crab fishery ACL specification (initial action); Seafood executive order implementation report; Science and management priorities alignment discussion; and IRA project updates including shark depredation and protected species workshop reports.

For more information on the virtual meeting connections, and complete agendas and meeting documents, go to

www.wpcouncil.org/meetings-calendars

Summary of Action Items at the March 2026 Council Meeting

The Council will consider and may take action on the issues summarized below.

1. ACL Specifications for MHI Kona Crab (2027–2030) – Initial Action

The Council will consider initial action on multi­year harvest limits and accountability measures for MHI Kona crab for fishing years 2027–2030. The best scientific informat ion available is the 2019 benchmark stock assessment, with catch projections through 2026. Based on that assessment, the maximum sustainable yield was estimated at 73,609 pounds and the overfishing limit at 33,989 pounds.

Under consideration are options that would:

• Take no action and not specify harvest limits.

• Specify an ACL of 30,802 pounds and an annual catch target (ACT) of 25,491 pounds, equal to the 2023–2026 values.

• Specify an ACL of 30,802 pounds and an ACT of 28,324 pounds, with an ACT higher than the 2023 2026 level.

2. Recommendations for Commercial Fishing Regulations in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument Expansion Area – Final Action

The Council will consider final action on recommendations for commercial fishing regulations within the expansion area of the PIHMNM (Wake, Jarvis and Johnston). This follows Presidential Proclamation 10918 (April 17, 2025), which directs the secretary of commerce not to prohibit commercial fishing within 50–200 nautical miles (nm) of the monument boundaries and to revise existing regulations accordingly.

Under consideration are options that would:

• Take no action and maintain current prohibitions on commercial fishing.

• R emove all commercial fishing prohibitions within 50–200 nm of Wake, Jarvis and Johnston.

• R emove all commercial fishing prohibitions within 50–200 nm of Wake, Jarvis and Johnston and include enhanced management measures.

3. Recommendations for Commercial Fishing Regulations in the Papahānaumokuākea, Rose Atoll, and Marianas Trench Marine National Monuments – Final Action

In response to Executive Order 14276, “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness” (April 17, 2025), the Council will consider final action on options related to current commercial fishing prohibitions in the Papahānaumokuākea, Rose Atoll and Marianas Trench MNMs. The EO directs federal agencies to evaluate existing restrictions and consider changes that could support sustainable U.S. seafood production while maintaining conservation goals.

Following its September 2025 action to provide recommendations to the secretary of commerce, the Council is now evaluating potential revisions to fishing regulations in the monuments in anticipation of possible federal action to lift commercial fishing prohibitions.

Under consideration are options that would:

• Take no action and retain current commercial fishing prohibitions.

• R estore regulated access and manage ALL fishing under existing MSA regulations.

• R estore regulated access and manage pelagic and bottomfish fishing under existing MSA regulations.

4. Review of the Guam, CNMI and PRIA Marine Conservation Plans

The Council will review the MCPs for Guam, the CNMI and the PRIA for concurrence and approval. Under the MSA, these plans are required to guide the use of funds received through Pacific Insular Area Fishery Agreements, fines and penalties, and the Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund. The current MCPs expire in August 2026. The Council will consider action that would:

• A pprove the Guam, CNMI and PRIA MCPs for transmittal to the secretary of commerce.

• Authorize the MCPs for a new threeyear term.

• A llow for future modification and resubmission, if needed.

“We respect sharks and they share a cultural connection with our people. But fishing is also part of our identity,”

Navigating the Depredation Dilemma: Insights and Outcomes from the Shark Depredation and Mitigation Workshop

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, in partnership with the Pacific Islands Fisheries Group, hosted the region’s first shark depredation workshop Feb. 10–11, 2026, in Honolulu, Hawai‘i to address the issue and develop mitigation strategies for U.S. Pacific Island fisheries. Participants discussed governance, science, technology and fishermen’s concerns. Fifty­two people attended, including representatives from Hawaiʻi and all three U.S. Pacific Island territories, as well as participants from the United Kingdom and Australia.

The workshop brought together fishermen, scientists, managers and industry leaders to discuss shark depredation and the work being done to reduce its impacts on commercial and noncommercial hook­and­line fisheries. Shark depredation was repeatedly raised during the Counc il’s community consultation meetings held across Hawaiʻi, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and American Samoa in 2025. Fishermen report that depredation rates have risen enough to significantly reduce viable levels of catch and threaten their livelihoods.

The Need for Better Data to Understand the Problem and Improve Management

Addressing the complex issue of shark depredation starts with understanding its true scope, but workshop participants said the region does not yet have enough reliable data. Current information comes mainly from creel and logbook reports, along with some DNA identification

efforts. Participants said this system is fundamentally flawed. Self­reported data can be incomplete or inaccurate because of underreporting or nonreporting, while many fishers also feel they are already being asked to provide too much information.

To improve data collection, the workshop looked at methods now used in the continental United States. These include analyzing social media

content, sending directed online surveys to fishers through registry lists, conducting cooperative research with fishers to collect specific information and using social science tools to better understand stakeholder views. Participants also discussed cooperative tagging and mark­recapture work with fishers, such as the Hawai‘i Community Tagging Program. Throughout the meeting, stakeholders stressed

the need to identify the factors driving shark depredation, including possible links to climate change and warming ocean conditions.

The workshop also considered whether shark depredation has become a “cost of doing business” for fishers and the need to determine what level of loss is acceptable. Participants recommended quantifying the full economic cost of depredation, including lost fish, lost time and damaged gear. Establishing this monetary value is important because it may help in communicating with government bodies that could help offset the financial burden on fishers or enact helpful policy.

Addressing Regulatory Disconnect and Improving Governance

Workshop participants strongly recommended better alignment between federal and local (state and territorial) fishery regulations, along with clearer outreach to reduce confusion. They specifically said Hawaiʻi’s ban on retaining sharks is not science­based and creates a major obstacle for sustaining local fisheries. Because sharks are managed under the Council’s Fishery Ecosystem Plans, managers could use tools such as catch limits, retention limits, seasonal limits or area limits to support sustainable management.

“Fishermen do not respond to statistical significance; they respond to the success of real-world applications”

Eddie Ebisui III of Hale‘iwa, Hawai‘i.

To do this, managers would need regional or island­based stock assessments. In the past, these assessments have shown that local populations of other species can be healthier than widely believed. The workshop also revealed deep frustration with how conservation policy is developed, especially given the known data gaps on shark interactions and local shark abundance. For example, many on­thewater observations do not match results from a Western and Central Pacific­w ide stock assessment for oceanic whitetip

sharks. Existing shark assessments are conducted at the international level, rely only on data from longline and other international fisheries, and focus on highly migratory species. Local fishing communities said they are eager to help collect data and fill these critical gaps for archipelagic shark stocks.

In addition to fishing regulations, participants recommended stronger regulations and accountability for non­fi shing activities that intentionally change shark behavior. They cited shark tours as one possible source of learned behavior that may increase depredation and raise safety concerns for fishermen. Using chum to attract sharks is prohibited, but it is seemingly not enforced or monitored. Participants also noted that fines for those violations are far lower than penalties faced by fishermen who retain a shark while fishing in Hawai‘i state waters.

Past, Current and Near-Term Mitigation Strategies

Fishers have extensively explored operational changes to reduce depredation, including retrieving gear faster and moving to other fishing areas. But participants said these strategies are often not cost­effective because sharks are

where the target fish are. In many cases, fishers cannot avoid sharks without also giving up access to the species they are trying to catch. Participants also said higher shark abundance has made some previously effective tactics less useful. Larger target fish present a greater reward for sharks and take longer to retrieve, which gives sharks more time to attack the catch regardless of the deterrents used. This is a frequent problem in bottomfishing.

Representatives from Shark Defense, Sharkbanz, RPelx and FishTek SharkGuard joined the workshop to discuss commercially developed deterrents, including biochemical and electromagnetic technologies. Chemical and biological deterrents, such as necromones derived from dead sharks, may have potential in certain fisheries like palu ‘ahi or ika shibi (chum­based tuna fishing methods), where currents are used to attract fish. However, their effectiveness remains unclear if currents wash the scent away from the interaction zone. To date, no trials have focused on local fishing applications.

The workshop also reviewed electromagnetic deterrents, manufactured through a variety of devices and applications. While these commercial devices have shown promise, there are concerns that sharks may learn to ignore the deterrent after repeated exposure. Partic ipants added that these tools may become less effective as shark numbers increase, because stronger predatory behavior could override the deterrent effect. This kind of learned behavior may extend beyond deterrents, with sharks potentially associating the sound of fishing vessels with food and increasing their interactions with boats. However, participants were eager to trial these devices and provide feedback.

Pivot to Cooperative Research

Participants said past scientific trials of commercial deterrent devices have been limited by small sample sizes and many confounding factors. They noted that larger complex studies suitable for academic publication might not provide the fast, practical evidence commercial fishers need.

“Fishermen do not respond to statistical significance; they respond to the success of real­world applications,” said Eddie Ebisui III of Hale‘iwa, Hawai‘i.

For that reason, participants said future testing should rely on cooperative research, with fishers compensated for their time and expertise. Rather than directing funding only to scientists to organize field trials, participants recommended

supporting fishers to run post­workshop trials themselves so results can be generated in weeks instead of years. If a deterrent works, fishers will use it and keep refining it. If it does not work, they will stop using it.

“Fishermen are innovators — we will change how we fish to make these deterrents work most effectively. And we can tell manufacturers what works and what needs to be changed,”

Bryan Belancio of Kona, Hawai‘i

Moving forward, the participants recommended prioritizing on­thewater research and development tailored to specific fisheries, in partnership with Council Advisory Panels (APs) and the fishing community.

To improve sample sizes and reduce costs, participants said shark deterrents should be purchased and distributed directly to fishermen.

They also said cooperative research needs clear controls for on­the­w ater testing, along with training that brings fishermen and scientists together. Data collection should be structured, but simple enough that it does not interfere with fishing. Reporting back should be detailed but easy to use, possibly through a mobile app. Participants also stressed that deterrents must be distributed fairly and that incentives will be critical to the program’s success. Because fishermen are best suited to innovate methodologies, participants said they should lead in developing the methods that work best with specific deterrents and provide direct feedback to manufacturers.

“Fishermen are innovators — we will change how we fish to make these deterrents work most effectively. And we can

Fishers from across the Pacific Islands joined the discussion on shark depredation and mitigation. Pictured are Dre Lizama, CNMI AP member, and Izzic Cabrera of Guam. Photo: Vincent Tofilau.

tell manufacturers what works and what needs to be changed,” said Bryan Belancio of Kona, Hawai‘i.

At the same time, some participants acknowledged that with local shark abundance seeming to increase, deterrents could possibly be a “band­a id fix” for a much larger problem.

Workshop participants acknowledged the need to balance healthy shark populations with a sustainable fishing way of life. Across the region, fishing and marine life — including sharks — are deeply tied to the cultural identit y of island communities.

“We respect sharks and they share a cultural connection with our people. But fishing is also part of our identity,” said Dre Lizama, a Tinian fisherman and CNMI AP member.

Outcomes and recommendations will be presented to the Council and its advisory bodies at its March 2026 meeting. A formal report is being developed to inform managers, policymakers, fishermen and the scientific community on regional priorities to reduce this growing problem.

At the same time, some participants acknowledged that with local shark abundance seeming to increase, deterrents could possibly be a “band-aid fix” for a much larger problem.