News + Announcements
Press Release – Hawai‘i Longline Fishery Sees Revenue Decline in 2023 Due to Drop in Fish Prices at Honolulu Fish Auction (7 June 2024)
HONOLULU (7 June 2024) 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...
Final Rules and Federal Register Notices for Western Pacific Fisheries
The following Federal Register Notices have been published notifying the public of rule changes to fisheries in the Western Pacific: NWHI Lobster Harvest Guidelines FR Notice: NMFS manages the NWHI commercial lobster fishery under the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the...
Notice of Availability for American Samoa Longline Permits
NMFS announces that 34 American Samoa pelagic longline limited entry permits in two permit size classes are available for 2024. NMFS is accepting applications for these available permits. Federal regulations at 50 CFR 665.816 allow NMFS to re-issue permits for the...
Public Meetings on Hawaii Small-Boat Fisheries
Hawaii small-boat fisheries, including those that catch federally managed species such as ahi, Deep 7 bottomfish, uku, Kona crab, mahimahi and ono, are important to the culture and livelihood of Hawaii. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, NOAA...
Vacancy Announcement – Systems and E-Information Specialist
VACANCY ANNOUCEMENT Systems and E-Information Specialist Submission Deadline: April 15, 2024 Anticipated Date to Fill Position: ASAP The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council seeks to hire a Computer, Network and E-Information Technician to provide technical...
Press Release – Fishermen Sound Alarm: US Gov Policies Threaten Way of Life in US Pacific Islands (22 March 2024)
“We are affected by decisions today—we lose our fishery, culture, way of life.” HONOLULU (22 March 2024) Amidst mounting concerns and resounding frustration, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council convened its 198th meeting this week, where the voices...
Press Release – Scientists Endorse HI and Guam Bottomfish Stock Assessments, Recommend Approaches to Survey False Killer Whales (15 March 2024)
HONOLULU (15 March 2024) 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...
Press Release – WP Scientists to Advise Fishery Management Council on HI and Guam Bottomfish (08 March 2024)
HONOLULU (8 March 2024) Scientific advisors to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will meet March 12-14, 2024, to provide advice and guidance on the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) deep-seven bottomfish and Guam bottomfish fishery stock assessments,...
Public Hearings Notice: Proposed Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Sanctuary
NOAA has released for public comment the draft designation documents for the proposed Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary FR Notice NOAA will accept public comment on the proposal from March 1 – May 7, 2024. The state of Hawaiʻi is also holding a public...
Gold Coral Moratorium in effect until June 30, 2028
Precious corals (also called deep-sea corals) include black, pink, red, bamboo, and gold corals, and are harvested for use in high quality jewelry. NMFS and the Council manage the fishery for precious corals in the U.S. Pacific Islands under FEPs for American Samoa,...