HONOLULU (13 December 2024) The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will convene its 201st meeting virtually Dec. 16-17, 2024, bringing together decision-makers to address pressing issues affecting fisheries across the Pacific.

Agenda Action Items:

• Guam Bottomfish Rebuilding Plan
  The Council will review options to modify Guam’s rebuilding plan to balance sustainable fishing with stock recovery, considering updated catch limits and monitoring measures to rebuild the stock by 2031.
• North Pacific Striped Marlin Catch Limits
  In light of changing stock status and a new international measure, the Council will discuss new catch limits under Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) provisions to rebuild stocks and prevent overfishing, with options ranging from no action to retention limits aligned with international conservation measures.
• Longline Crew Training Requirements
  The Council will review plans for implementing protected species handling training for crew members in the Hawai‘i and American Samoa longline fisheries, consistent with biological opinions issued in 2023–2024.
• Electronic Monitoring Program Development
  The Council will consider authorizing the transition of electronic monitoring from a research tool to a management tool, addressing declining human observer coverage while improving monitoring of catch, bycatch and protected species interactions.
• American Samoa Managed Bottomfish Species Revision
  The Council will discuss incorporating a rate-based annual catch limit approach into the management of American Samoa’s bottomfish, addressing data limitations while ensuring sustainable fisheries management.

This meeting presents an opportunity to address ongoing challenges in Pacific fisheries management. Despite the establishment of the NOAA Pacific Islands Region more than 20 years ago and a sizable workforce, challenges persist in managing fisheries in compliance with the MSA. With fewer than 20 full-time Council staff, critical gaps remain in addressing data limitations, stock sustainability and regulatory needs.

The Council encourages public participation in these discussions. Host sites will be available for Webex access at:

• 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI
• Tedi of Samoa Bldg., Suite 208B, Fagatogo Village, AS
• BRI Bldg., Suite 205, Kopa Di Oru St., Garapan, Saipan, CNMI
• Cliff Pointe, 304 W. O’Brien Drive, Hagatña, Guam

For detailed agendas and meeting information, visit www.wpcouncil.org/meetings-calendars.

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.