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 prayer in Samoan reminding members of their mission as servants entrusted with maximizing the use of spiritual gifts. “The Council’s acknowledgement of the place and people continues its commitment to incorporating indigenous knowledge into fisheries management for the region,” Sword added.

Shae Kamaka‘ala, Chair of the Council’s Fishing Right of Indigenous People Standing Committee, welcomed members in recognizing that the region encompassing the Council’s jurisdiction has indigenous, ancestral caretakers and pays respect to these longstanding cultural roots. Her remarks included a statement that “Hawai‘i remains an illegally occupied state of the United States government.”

“It is important for the Council to make a conscious effort to ensure equity in our work and recognize the existence and sovereignty of the indigenous people of the Western Pacific,” commented Kitty Simonds, Council Executive Director.

The Council welcomed Rear Admiral Sean Regan, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) District 14, whose career includes service at the White House as Director of Maritime Security Policy, Arctic Region, on the President’s National Security Staff (NSS); advisor to the National Security Advisor, Homeland Security Advisor and the President. The Admiral said he appreciated the response the USCG has received from the people in the region and that he was favorably impressed by the Council’s work in protecting fisheries. 

Admiral Regan emphasized the USCG’s mission is to “protect those who serve on the sea, protect against threats emanating from the sea and protect the sea itself.” 

Captain Jennifer Conklin described the USCG’s “Operation Blue Pacific,” underscoring its role as a persistent presence of the U.S. government as a trusted partner in enhancing the safety, security and prosperity of the region.

During the meeting, Nate Ilaoa from American Samoa complained that the USCG’s response to American Samoa has not been sufficient. He said that the Deeds of Cession grants powers to the United States, but also requires protections. He requested the USCG to protect American Samoa from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and foreign incursions and said the territory’s citizens deserve better.

The Council recommended collaboration with USCG to develop a plan for providing assets and resources to the territory, while also making certification courses more accessible to its citizens.

Action Items

The Council approved a 493,000-pound annual catch limit (ACL) for the deep-seven bottomfish complex in the main Hawaiian Islands for fishing years 2024-2025 to 2026-2027. Catch limits are determined by subtracting the overfishing limit plus scientific uncertainty factors from the acceptable biological catch, then further adjusting for SEEM (Social, Economic, Ecological and Management) variables.

In 2019, the Guam bottomfish fishery was declared overfished, which required the Council to rebuild the stock, per the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The Council developed a rebuilding plan that set an ACL of 31,000 pounds, with in-season monitoring that would close the fishery if the limit is exceeded. A stock assessment update presented in June 2024 found that while Guam has not overfished, it also has not met the rebuilding threshold.

The Council recommended increasing the rebuilding plan ACL to 34,500 pounds, allowing for continued fishing while seeking to ensure the stock is rebuilt by 2031. This option would also apply a three-year catch-averaging formula that would result in reducing subsequent catch limits by the average amount overfished. 

The Council meeting will continue daily at the Ala Moana Hotel Hibiscus Ballroom through Wednesday September 25.

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); Judith Guthertz, University of Guam (Guam) (vice chair); Pete Itibus, noncommercial fisher (CNMI); Shaelene Kamaka‘ala, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (Hawai‘i); Frank Perez, AC Sales and Service, (Guam); Matt Ramsey, Conservation International (Hawai‘i); and Gene Weaver, Tasi to Table (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, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office. Designated federal officials (nonvoting): Colin Brinkman, U.S. State Dept.; Brian Peck, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; and RADM Sean Regan, U.S. Coast Guard 14th District.