75-5852 Alii Dr.
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Island
HI 96740
Date: November 5, 2022 Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Royal Kona Resort, 75-5852 Alii Dr., Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Island, HI 96740
SUMMARY: The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is holding public meetings to discuss non-commercial fishing in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
For more information on what will be discussed and a background on the issue see the following:
Meeting Agenda
Federal Register Notice
Background paper on NWHI MEA Fishing Regulations
Meeting Flyer
The WPRFMC invites you to attend one of a series of public meetings to review potential fishing regulations for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Monument Expansion Area:
| Date | Island | Location | Time |
| Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 | Kauai | Elise H. Wilcox Elementary School Cafeteria
4319 Hardy St., Lihue, Kauai, HI 96766 |
6—9 p.m. |
| Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022 | Maui | UH Maui College Ka Lama Room 103
310 W Kaahumanu Ave, Kahului, Maui, HI 96732 |
6—9 p.m. |
| Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 | Big Island | Grand Naniloa Hotel
93 Banyan Dr, Hilo, Hawaii Island, HI 96720 |
6—9 p.m. |
| Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 | Big Island | Royal Kona Resort Discovery Room
75-5852 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Island, HI 96740 |
10 a.m.—1 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 | Molokai | Lanikeha Community Center
2200 Farrington Ave, Hoolehua, Molokai, HI 96729 |
6—9 p.m. |
| Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022 | Oahu | Ala Moana Hotel Hibiscus Ballroom
410 Atkinson Dr, Honolulu, HI, 96814 |
6—9 p.m. |
The Council has developed options and is seeking input from the fishing community, the Native Hawaiian community, and other groups on appropriate fishing regulations and definitions for non-commercial fishing. It is important for the Council to hear from the fishing community and the Native Hawaiian community to learn what is both needed and appropriate for the area. The Council would like to hear more about:
-
- Historical uses of the MEA;
- Which definition of subsistence meets the needs of the community;
- The potential inclusion of customary exchange; and
- Any demand for access to the fishery resources in the MEA.
Comments received will be summarized and provided to the Council for its consideration at its 193rd meeting in December 2022. The Council is expected to take final action on fishing regulations for the MEA and provide those recommendations to the National Marine Fisheries Service for implementation.
For more information on the NWHI Fisheries, click here.