HONOLULU (14 March 2025) The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) met this week and reviewed protected species management in the region’s fisheries. Discussions underscored the growing influence of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) in regulating fisheries, often overshadowing the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), the primary federal law governing U.S. fisheries.

Council staff provided an update on the ongoing efforts of the Council’s protected species program, emphasizing the mandates for addressing interactions between fisheries and protected species. Staff highlighted past successes in reducing these interactions through innovative gear mitigation measures and technology transfer.

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) shared updates on the status of false killer whale stocks, including the final 2023 stock assessment report and outcomes from a 2024 survey. Based on updated assumptions about data uncertainties, the removal limit for the stock has been revised upward from 33 to 36 individuals. This is the number of individuals that could be removed from the stock to maintain optimal stock size.

The SSC raised concerns about disparities in how protected species assessments are reviewed compared to fish stock assessments under the Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review process. Unlike fish stocks, marine mammal assessments lack a standardized peer review process. As one SSC member noted, “Assessments of sea turtles undergo extensive review, including input from SSC members, but marine mammal assessments are not subjected to the same level of scrutiny. This inconsistency raises important questions about the reliability and transparency of the data.”

With new ESA and MMPA regulations on the horizon, including critical habitat designations for corals and green sea turtles and the proposed listing of giant clams, the SSC discussed the potential challenges these changes could present to fishing communities and ongoing projects of territorial governments. The committee also expressed concerns about declining observer coverage and the shift toward electronic monitoring, which may impact data collection used for serious injury and mortality estimates.

SSC Strategic Planning

As part of their ongoing commitment to the MSA process, SSC members discussed ways to improve their statutory advisory role. The committee is evaluating its processes to ensure it provides effective and relevant advice to the Council. This effort includes planning eight special projects for 2025, focusing on both the science and social dimensions of fisheries management. An overarching theme was the integration of community needs with the best available scientific information.

One focus area is determining whether bottomfish should be managed within a complex or if indicator species would offer a more practical alternative. The committee is also working to integrate social, ecological, economic and environmental considerations into its recommendations.

The SSC is also exploring alternative methods to assess the risks fisheries pose to protected species, as well as continuing to evaluate the potential impacts of large closed areas on fisheries across the region. Progress on these special projects will be reported at SSC meetings scheduled for June, September and December.

The SSC meeting agenda and documents can be found at www.wpcouncil.org/event/155ssc-meeting. The SSC provides advice to the Council, which will meet March 25-27, 2025, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, www.wpcouncil.org/event/202nd-council-meeting.

 Scientific and Statistical Committee: James Lynch (chair); Debra Cabrera (University of Guam); Frank Camacho (University of Guam); Courtney Carothers (University of Alaska Fairbanks); Milani Chaloupka (University of Queensland); Cathy Dichmont (Cathy Dichmont Consulting); Erik Franklin (University of Hawai‘i); Shelton Harley (Fisheries Consultant); Jason Helyer (Hawai‘i Div. of Aquatic Resources); Ray Hilborn (University of Washington); Alister Hunt (Finology); Dave Itano (Fisheries Consultant);  Keena Leon Guerrero (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Div. of Fish & Wildlife); Domingo Ochavillo (American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources); Graham Pilling (The Pacific Community); Jim Roberts (Anemone Consulting); Justin Suca (University of Hawai‘i); Robin Waples (University of Washington); Charles Littnan (ex-officio) (National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center).

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 Government (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.