The 2006 reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act created new responsibilities and authorities for nation’s regional fishery management councils and their advisory bodies.

Five-Year Research Priorities

Section 302 (h) of the MSA states that each Council shall develop, in conjunction with its scientific and statistical committee, multi-year research priorities for fisheries, fishery interactions, habitats and other areas of research that are necessary for management purposes that shall a) establish priorities for five-year periods; b) be updated as necessary; and c) be submitted to the Secretary and the regional science centers of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for their consideration in developing research priorities and budgets for the region of the Council.

Cooperative Research

Section 318 (a) of the MSA says that the “Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Councils, shall establish a cooperative research and management program to address needs identified under MSA and under any other marine resource laws enforced by the Secretary.” Section 318 (a) also stated that “the program shall be implemented on a regional basis and shall be developed and conducted through partnerships among Federal, State, and Tribal managers and scientists (including interstate fishery commissions), fishing industry participants (including use of commercial charter or recreational vessels for gathering data), and educational institutions.” Consistent with this provision, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, the NMFS) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center and NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office have established a Cooperative Research and Management Program. This program is a collaborative effort to coordinate the implementation of Cooperative Research in the Pacific Island region.

Upcoming Events

Jun
4
Wed
all-day 156th Scientific and Statistical...
156th Scientific and Statistical...
Jun 4 – Jun 6 all-day
June 4, 2025 (Wed)         Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Hawaii) June 4, 2025 (Wed)         Time: 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Marianas, June 5) June 4, 2025 (Wed)[...]
Jun
6
Fri
12:00 pm Fishery Data Collection & Resear...
Fishery Data Collection & Resear...
Jun 6 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Fishery Data Collection & Research Committee Dates: June 6, 2025 (Hawaii, American Samoa); June 7, 2025 (Guam, CNMI) TIme: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Hawaii); 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (American Samoa); 8:00 a.m. –[...]
2:30 pm Executive & Budget Standing Comm...
Executive & Budget Standing Comm...
Jun 6 @ 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Executive & Budget Committee Dates: June 6, 2025 (Hawaii, American Samoa); June 7, 2025 (Guam, CNMI) TIme: 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Hawaii); 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (American Samoa); 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.[...]
Jun
9
Mon
all-day 203rd Council Meeting @ Ala Moana Hotel
203rd Council Meeting @ Ala Moana Hotel
Jun 9 – Jun 11 all-day
Location: Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom II, 410 Atkinson Dr, Honolulu, HI 96814 Validated parking available To access the meeting via Webex, click link below: https://tinyurl.com/203CouncilMtg Event number: 2868 673 8080 Event password: CM203mtg (26202684 from[...]