News + Announcements
Notice of Agency Decision: NMFS announces approval of a Marine Conservation Plan for American Samoa
NMFS announces approval of a Marine Conservation Plan (MCP) for American Samoa. This agency decision is effective from August 30, 2024 through July 24, 2027. See Federal Register Notice here. The Government of American Samoa developed the MCP, with concurrence of...
Press Release-Council Creates Indigenous Committee to Strengthen Traditional Voices in Pacific Fisheries (26 September 2024)
HONOLULU (26 September 2024) Concluding its 200th meeting, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council established an Indigenous Committee to provide recommendations to federal authorities on cultural fishing rights and related issues. Sub-panels for...
Press Release-Council Receives Praise, Spars with NMFS on Policies (25 September 2024)
HONOLULU (25 September 2024) Praise from a top federal administrator combined with an airing of interagency issues energized the second session of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s 200th meeting Tuesday. Sam Rauch, Deputy Assistant...
Press Release-Land Acknowledgement Highlights Indigenous Roots & Equity at Western Pacific Council’s 200th Meeting (24 September 2024)
HONOLULU (24 September 2024) Themes of cultural recognition, indigenous legacies and ocean security sparked the opening of the 200th meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council here Monday. Chair Will Sword opened the historic session with a...
Press Release – Fishery Council Celebrates 200th Meeting Milestone (19 September 2024)
HONOLULU (19 September 2024) The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is set to hold its 200th meeting next week, a significant milestone in its 48-year history. The meeting will take place September 23-25, 2024, at the Ala Moana Hotel Hibiscus...
Press Release – SSC Advances Guam Bottomfish Rebuilding Plan and Evaluates Seabird Bycatch Mitigation Techniques (13 September 2024)
HONOLULU (13 September 2024) At its meeting this week, the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) reviewed and discussed options for modifying Guam's bottomfish rebuilding plan, focusing on balancing sustainable fishing opportunities with stock recovery...
Western Pacific Region Status of the Fisheries 2023
To monitor and evaluate fishery performance, the Council publishes annual reports for each of its five fishery ecosystem-based management plans. The Council’s Western Pacific Region Status of the Fisheries 2023 report is now available. The publication highlights some...
Press Release – SSC Meeting to Tackle Key Fisheries Management Issues Next Week (6 September 2024)
HONOLULU (6 September 2024) The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will convene Sept. 11-13, 2024, to address important issues impacting fisheries management in the Pacific Islands. Noncommercial Fisheries...
Summer 2024 Pacific Islands Fishery News
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*Update-public comment period extended; Notice of Proposed Rule: Listing Determinations for 10 species of Giant Clams under the Endangered Species Act
NEW *Public Comment Period extended to February 19, 2025. See FR notice here. NMFS will hold seven public hearings and three listening sessions related to their proposed rule to list five species of giant clams as endangered and five species of giant clams as...