The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), has the responsibility for preparing management plans for those fisheries within its jurisdiction and the high seas. The Council has authority over the management of fisheries in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters off of the Territories of American Samoa and Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the State of Hawai‘i.
The Council, composed of 16 public, State, and Federal members, meet four times a year to conduct its business. Procedures and guidelines for conducting business are controlled through the MSA, WPRFMC statement of Organization Practices and Procedures, 50 CFR 601 regulations, Council program plan, fishery ecosystem plan (FEP) objectives and guidelines, and other related policies and agreements. The Council operation is supported by programmatic and administrative staff headed by an Executive Director.
The Council has documented concerns regarding the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office and Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center) not fully supporting and incorporating the Council’s priorities for management and scientific research, frequency and direction of fisheries stock assessments, bycatch, and other scientific issues. Additionally, the Council is concerned about regional alignment with NMFS headquarters risk analysis effort to reduce the number and frequency of stock assessments and data collection across all councils. Similar to the concern above, increased efficiency and substantial cost savings could occur if coordination and prioritization of management, research and monitoring are streamlined.
CONTRACT SERVICE: Regional Governance and Policy Coordination. This is a time and materials-based contract.
CONTRACT PERIOD: The contract is expected to start after February 15, 2026, and end December 31, 2026.
SCOPE OF WORK: The contractor will work closely with the Executive Director and staff to monitor and evaluate the policies controlling governance, research and coordination between the Council, NMFS and local authorities. The contractor will review and assess:
- Status of existing coordination policies (e.g., Regional Operating Agreement, Geographic Strategic Plans, Council Programs), regulatory framework (FEPs and pending/developing amendments), and initial outputs from Inflation Reduction Act regulatory review;
- Processes for coordinating development of fishery research and monitoring priorities to align and support Council management priorities and actions (5-year Research Plan, Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Strategic Plan, Annual Guidance Memos, etc.);
- Options to efficiently move stocks from Ecosystem Component Species (ECS – non-target species/stocks that do not require conservation and management) to Management Unit Species (MUS – stocks covered under a Fishery Management Plan or FEP and that require an annual catch limit [ACL]) and vice versa;
- Explore and recommend new criteria on policies/controls to extend the current benchmark stock assessment frequency (every three years) for fisheries operating well below their ACLs that should remain as MUS, and to identify when stock assessments are not needed for important, but small-scale fisheries in the Western Pacific Region;
- Prepare written reports/presentations on findings for Executive Director, Council members and the SSC, as directed; and
- Other issues as identified by the Executive Director.
Performance Period: February 15, 2026, to December 31, 2026.
ELIGIBILITY: The potential contractor must:
- Possess a detailed working knowledge of the MSA and other policies, regulations, and guidance documents relating to marine resource management and conservation in the Pacific Island Region;
- Be familiar with the responsibilities of the Council as well as Pacific Island community cultures and natural resources;
- Be familiar with state/territorial and federal fishery agencies, and fishing and seafood communities in the Western Pacific;
- Have knowledge of current fisheries science, research, data collection and management, U.S. Pacific Islands cultures, marine conservation, management and environmental laws and use of technology in today’s fisheries;
- Have the ability to communicate and work effectively with staff, Council members, institution and agency fishery scientists, fishery administrators and the fishing community;
- Have the ability to plan, organize and successfully complete work in situations that require coordination and management of numerous diverse demands and tasks, attention to detail and deliver high quality products under short timelines;
- Demonstrate proficiency in oral and written communications and standard personal computer software;
- Be able to travel to attend Council, SSC and/or other advisory body meetings; and
- Be available to start the project in February 2026 and complete the project by December 31, 2026.
REQUIREMENTS: The contractor will work independently and coordinate with the Executive Director to meet deliverable timelines. Proposals must include an hourly billing rate and will be evaluated on a competitive basis based on addressing eligibility criteria as stated above.
HOW TO APPLY: Submissions should include a proposal including the following items (maximum 3 pages): a. Name, affiliation, and contact information of the principal contractor(s); b. Brief statement addressing the requirements as stated above; c. Estimated time required to effectively support the scope of work; and d. Curriculum vitae or resume for each project participant.
Proposals may be submitted by e-mail (attach materials in PDF files) to info@wpcouncil.org or regular mail to: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Proposals will be welcome until February 15, 2026, or until a contractor is engaged.
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