HONOLULU (13 December 2024) At its meeting this week, the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council made key recommendations on advancing fisheries management in the region. Discussions covered the development of an electronic monitoring (EM) program, SSC strategic plan and revisions to American Samoa bottomfish catch limits, among others.

Advancing EM for Fisheries Management
The SSC deliberated on the transition of EM from a research tool to an authorized fishery monitoring program under federal regulations. With human observer coverage in the Hawai‘i-based deep-set longline fishery expected to drop to 7% by 2025, EM offers a critical alternative for meeting protected species monitoring obligations, including interactions and bycatch estimation.

The SSC recommended a phased implementation of EM by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), targeting a fully mandatory program for implementation by 2027. Initial authorization should focus on longline fisheries under the Pelagic Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP), including Hawai‘i-based shallow-set swordfish and deep-set tuna fisheries, as well as the American Samoa tuna fishery. The SSC recommended that EM be used to verify logbook data and fill voids in declining observer coverage to ensure reliable monitoring.

Public comments highlighted industry support for phased EM adoption but NMFS should cover program costs and address data confidentiality.

Expanding Tier 6 ABC Control Rules
As part of revisions to managed bottomfish species in American Samoa, the SSC reviewed a proposed Tier 6 rule allowing a rate-based approach for setting annual catch limits (ACLs) for data-limited stocks. The acceptable biological catch (ABC) is used to calculate the ACL, which is the maximum amount of fish that can be caught in a year. Recognizing the need for enhanced data collection infrastructure in each of the island areas, the SSC recommended the Tier 6 control rule be applied across all FEPs.

SSC members emphasized the potential for Tier 6 to provide an additional tool to address data-limited stocks to balance fishing opportunities with long-term stock health.

SSC Strategic Plan to Address Key Challenges
The SSC adopted a strategic plan to guide its work over the next several years. The plan aims to address unique challenges facing fishery management in the Western Pacific given evolving economic, cultural and environmental considerations. A key element of the plan charts a proactive role for the SSC in undertaking special projects to inform the Council regarding the impacts of fishery management actions on fishing communities, consumers, fishery economics, and fish and protected species populations. The SSC plans to finalize its project list at the March 2025 meeting, including initiatives on human dimensions and climate resilience in fisheries.

The SSC’s recommendations will be presented to the Council for consideration at its meeting next week on Dec. 16-17, 2024.

Scientific and Statistical Committee: James Lynch (chair); Jason Biggs (Guam Div. of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources); Debra Cabrera (University of Guam); Frank Camacho (University of Guam); Milani Chaloupka (University of Queensland); Erik Franklin (University of Hawai‘i, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology); Shelton Harley (Fisheries Consultant); Jason Helyer (Hawai‘i Div. of Aquatic Resources); Ray Hilborn (University of Washington); Justin Hospital (National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, NMFS PIFSC); Dave Itano (Fisheries Consultant); Donald Kobayashi (NMFS PIFSC); Steve Martell (Sea State Inc.); Domingo Ochavillo (American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources); Graham Pilling (The Pacific Community); Craig Severance (University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, retired); Francisco Villagomez (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Div. of Fish & Wildlife); Charles Littnan (ex-officio) (NMFS PIFSC).

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.