HONOLULU (05 September 2025) From sharks to deep-sea mining to catch limits, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will take on some of the Pacific’s most pressing ocean issues next week, Sept. 9-11, 2025, in Honolulu.

Highlights include:

CNMI bottomfish fishery catch levels: The SSC will recommend acceptable biological catch levels for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) bottomfish fishery for 2026–2029. These numbers are essential for balancing cultural and economic needs with long-term sustainability, ensuring that bottomfish populations remain healthy for future generations. Once adopted, the SSC’s recommendation will move to the Council, which will use it to set annual catch limits and accountability measures that guide fishing regulations.

Shark challenges: Scientists from the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology will present an overview of shark deterrent research which can help mitigate depredation — when sharks damage fish or remove it from fishing gear — an issue that has long frustrated fishers across the Pacific. The SSC will also hear an update on the latest oceanic whitetip shark stock assessment, which is showing signs of population rebound following domestic and international conservation measures implemented over the last two decades.

Deep-sea mining on the horizon: With growing interest in Pacific mineral resources, experts will brief the SSC on the state of knowledge about deep-sea mining impacts in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (southeast of Hawai‘i) and on a new proposal offshore of American Samoa. Discussions will explore how mining robots and sediment plumes could affect fisheries and marine ecosystems.

Future planning: The SSC will review and update the Council’s research priorities to ensure scientific information needs are aligned with current priorities, and to identify the top focus areas for 2026. The SSC’s Special Projects Working Groups will share progress on three ongoing projects: integration of biological, economic, social and cultural considerations into the SSC process; integrating climate information into decision making; and assessment approaches for multi-species complexes.

How to Join
📍 In-Person: Council Office, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI
💻 Online: Join remotely via Webex: https://tinyurl.com/157SSCMtg, Event password: SSC157mtg
📜 Get the Full Agenda & Documents: www.wpcouncil.org/event/157th-scientific-and-statistical-committee-meeting

The SSC provides advice to the Council, which will meet Sept. 16-17, 2025, at the Ala Moana Hotel – Garden Lanai in Honolulu, www.wpcouncil.org/event/204th-council-meeting. Fishers, community members and the general public are encouraged to participate and provide input on the management of the region’s valuable marine resources.

Scientific and Statistical Committee: James Lynch (chair); Debra Cabrera (University of Guam); Frank Camacho (University of Guam); Courtney Carothers (University of Alaska Fairbanks); Milani Chaloupka (University of Queensland); Cathy Dichmont (Cathy Dichmont Consulting); Erik Franklin (University of Hawai‘i); Shelton Harley (Fisheries Consultant); Jason Helyer (Hawai‘i Div. of Aquatic Resources); Ray Hilborn (University of Washington); Alister Hunt (Finology); Dave Itano (Fisheries Consultant);  Keena Leon Guerrero (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Div. of Fish & Wildlife); Domingo Ochavillo (American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources); Graham Pilling (The Pacific Community); Jim Roberts (Anemone Consulting); Justin Suca (University of Hawai‘i); Robin Waples (University of Washington); Charles Littnan (ex-officio) (National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center).

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, American Samoa Power Authority (American Samoa) (chair); Roger Dang, Fresh Island Fish Co. (Hawai‘i) (vice chair); Edgar Feliciano, Feli Fisheries Inc. (American Samoa); Pete Itibus, noncommercial fisher (CNMI); Frank Perez, AC Sales and Service, (Guam); Matt Ramsey, Conservation International (Hawai‘i); Jesse Rosario, Guam Fishermen’s Cooperative Association (Guam); 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); Nathan Ilaoa, American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources; and Chelsa Muña, Guam Dept. of Agriculture. Designated federal officials (voting): Sarah Malloy, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office. Designated federal officials (nonvoting): Jeremy Raynal, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; RADM Sean Regan, U.S. Coast Guard 14th District; and Rachel Ryan, U.S. State Dept.