Press Releases
Press Release-New Day on the Horizon for Western Pacific Fisheries (18 December 2024)
HONOLULU (17 December 2024) The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (Council) ended its 201st meeting on a hopeful note, inspired by the upcoming change in the Federal administration. The Council found that the incoming administration provides a chance...
Press Release-Council Creates Indigenous Committee to Strengthen Traditional Voices in Pacific Fisheries (26 September 2024)
HONOLULU (26 September 2024) Concluding its 200th meeting, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council established an Indigenous Committee to provide recommendations to federal authorities on cultural fishing rights and related issues. Sub-panels for...
Press Release-Council Receives Praise, Spars with NMFS on Policies (25 September 2024)
HONOLULU (25 September 2024) Praise from a top federal administrator combined with an airing of interagency issues energized the second session of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s 200th meeting Tuesday. Sam Rauch, Deputy Assistant...
Press Release-Land Acknowledgement Highlights Indigenous Roots & Equity at Western Pacific Council’s 200th Meeting (24 September 2024)
HONOLULU (24 September 2024) Themes of cultural recognition, indigenous legacies and ocean security sparked the opening of the 200th meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council here Monday. Chair Will Sword opened the historic session with a...
Press Release – Fishery Council Celebrates 200th Meeting Milestone (19 September 2024)
HONOLULU (19 September 2024) The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is set to hold its 200th meeting next week, a significant milestone in its 48-year history. The meeting will take place September 23-25, 2024, at the Ala Moana Hotel Hibiscus...
Press Release – SSC Advances Guam Bottomfish Rebuilding Plan and Evaluates Seabird Bycatch Mitigation Techniques (13 September 2024)
HONOLULU (13 September 2024) At its meeting this week, the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) reviewed and discussed options for modifying Guam's bottomfish rebuilding plan, focusing on balancing sustainable fishing opportunities with stock recovery...
Press Release – SSC Meeting to Tackle Key Fisheries Management Issues Next Week (6 September 2024)
HONOLULU (6 September 2024) The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will convene Sept. 11-13, 2024, to address important issues impacting fisheries management in the Pacific Islands. Noncommercial Fisheries...
Press Release – Federal Consultation with Governors of US Territories Lacking (26 June 2024)
HONOLULU (26 June 2024) Western Pacific Regional Fishery Mangement Council members expressed dismay with the continued problem of the lack of federal government consultation with territorial governments on Endangered Species Act (ESA) issues, including green sea...
Press Release – Council Reviews Annual Fishery Reports: Trends, Challenges and Future Plans in the Western Pacific (25 June 2024)
HONOLULU (25 June 2024) Council members reviewed detailed reports on the 2023 performance of federally managed fisheries in the Western Pacific region. This annual Stock Assessment and Fisheries Evaluation (SAFE) report consistently observed catch increases across a...
Press Release – Council Tackles Trade Barriers to US Tuna Fisheries at Meeting (25 June 2024)
HONOLULU (25 June 2024) This week, members of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council called attention to impediments to U.S. fisheries due to unfair trade practices by foreign fisheries. “Dumping” of cheaper, lower-quality fishery products into the...