The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), has the responsibility for preparing management plans for those fisheries within its jurisdiction and the high seas. The Council has authority over the management of fisheries in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters off of the Territories of American Samoa and Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the State of Hawai‘i.
The Council, composed of 16 public, State, and Federal members, meets four times a year to conduct its business. The Council is headed by an Executive Director with administrative and programmatic staff based in Hawai‘i and U.S. Pacific Island Territories. The contractor will assist the Executive Director with international fisheries coordination providing policy, management and scientific fishery and analytical expertise related to conservation and management actions as addressed by the Council and Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMOs) to support healthy and sustainable fisheries in the Western Pacific Region.
CONTRACT SERVICE: International Fisheries Coordination. This is a time and materials-based contract.
CONTRACT PERIOD: The contract is expected to start February 15, 2026, and end December 31, 2026.
SCOPE OF WORK: The contractor will work closely with the Executive Director and staff to monitor and evaluate U.S. high seas fishery performance related to:
- Consultation with fishers in the U.S. Hawai‘i/American Samoa Longline and Purse Seine fleets;
- Inter-fleet competition with foreign fisheries;
- RFMO actions and recommendations;
- Outcomes from Scientific Commissions and Advisory Bodies;
- Economic and market impacts from competition and loss of fishing opportunities due to fleets bypassing U.S. ports, especially around U.S. prohibited EEZs;
- Report findings to Executive Director, Council members and the Scientific and Statistical Committee, as directed; and
- Other issues as identified by the Executive Director.
Performance Period: February 15, 2026, to December 31, 2026.
ELIGIBILITY: The potential contractor must have:
- Demonstrated familiarity, knowledge, and experience working with domestic fisheries in American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island, Guam, Hawai‘i, Pacific Remote Island Areas, and other Pacific Islands;
- Demonstrated familiarity, knowledge, and experience working with international RFMOs in the Pacific;
- At least five years of broad experience and working knowledge in fisheries science and management and working with the fishing industry (Longline and Purse Seine);
- Knowledge of current fisheries science, research, data collection and management, U.S. Pacific islands cultures, state/territorial and federal fishery agencies, marine conservation, management and environmental laws and use of technology in today’s fisheries;
- Ability to maintain good working relationships with members of industry, state and federal agencies, domestic and international RFMOs and institutions;
- Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff, Council members, institution and agency fishery scientists, fishery administrators and the fishing community;
- Ability to plan, organize and successfully complete work in situations that require coordination and management of numerous diverse demands and tasks, attention to detail and deliver high quality products under short timelines;
- Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communications and standard personal computer software;
- Able to travel to domestic and international meetings and to visit fishing facilities and vessels, when necessary; and
- Availability to start the project in February 2026 and complete the project by December 31, 2026.
REQUIREMENTS: The contractor will work independently and coordinate with the Executive Director to meet deliverable timelines. Proposals must include an hourly billing rate and will be evaluated on a competitive basis based on addressing eligibility criteria as stated above.
HOW TO APPLY: Submissions should include a proposal including the following items (maximum 3 pages): a. Name, affiliation, and contact information of the principal contractor(s); b. Brief statement addressing the requirements as stated above; c. Estimated time required to effectively support the scope of work; and d. Curriculum vitae or resume for each project participant.
Proposals may be submitted by e-mail (attach materials in PDF files) to info@wpcouncil.org or regular mail to: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Proposals will be welcome until February 15, 2026, or until a contractor is engaged.
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