Western Pacific scientists to discuss longline fishery and tuna issues this week

Honolulu, HAWAII — Scientific advisors to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will meet March 14-16, 2023, to provide advice and comments on on protected species interactions with the commercial Hawai‘i deep-set and American Samoa longline fisheries, domestic and international fishing regulations, and other topics.

The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will convene in a hybrid format, with public attendance limited to remote participation via web conference. The full agenda, background documents and instructions for connecting to the meeting and providing oral public comments are available at www.wpcouncil.org/event/147th-scientific-and-statistical-committee-meet….

ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT SECTION 7 CONSULTATIONS

The SSC will review draft biological opinions (BiOps) for the Hawai‘i deep-set longline and American Samoa longline fisheries, released last week by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The BiOps, part of a formal consultation process, concluded the two longline fisheries are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of ESA-listed species. The fleets have incidental interactions with species such as sea turtles, oceanic whitetip sharks and giant manta rays. Many of the animals are released alive following handling guidelines intended to increase their chance of survival. The SSC may provide advice to the Council on the BiOp analyses and findings.

INTERNATIONAL BIGEYE TUNA MANAGEMENT

The SSC will review information on bigeye tuna catch and/or allocation limits for American Samoa, Guam and the CNMI and may advise the Council on a preliminary preferred option. The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has agreed to maintain the 2016 longline bigeye limits of six countries, including the United States, until the end of 2023.

Conservation and management measure 2021-01 does not establish individual limits on the amount of bigeye tuna that may be harvested annually by Small Island Developing States and Participating Territories, including American Samoa, Guam and the CNMI. The WCPFC may decide to resume current catch limits for flag states and participating members through 2023 and beyond. The Council has identified additional considerations that warrant its direction and action for the implementation of the management framework modifications to the Pacific Pelagic Fishery Ecosystem Plan. The recommended catch and/or allocation limits would not take effect until 2024 at the earliest.

Other agenda topics include recommended regulations for permitting fishing in the Monument Expansion Area (MEA) of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), Guam bottomfish data workshop outcomes, a shark bycatch mortality study and area-based management issues.

Recommendations made by the SSC on these and other matters will be considered by the Council when it meets March 27-28 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Saipan, CNMI, and March 30-31, 2023, at the Guam Hilton Hotel in Tamuning. Instructions on connecting to the web conference, agendas and briefing documents are posted at www.wpcouncil.org/event/194th-council-meeting.