Scientific Committee Makes Recommendations To Western Pacific Fisher Council
(Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council)
The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), which advises the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, concluded its three-day meeting in
These recommendations will be considered by the Council when it convenes June 16 to 19, 2008, at the Ala Moana Hotel,
* Establishment of annual catch limits (ACLs) to prevent overfishing as mandated by the 2007 reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
* Implement ACLs immediately for all species/species groups with estimated maximum sustainable yield (MSY) values except for those species/species groups managed under international regional fishery management organizations (RFMOs). Currently, only bottomfish falls within this category. MSY is also known for tuna, but it along with billfish, mahimahi, ono and other tuna-like species are managed by RFMOs.
* For all other species/species groups, establish ACLs on a priority basis according to their risk of overfishing.
* Implement federal permitting and reporting requirements for all managed fisheries in order to reduce scientific and management uncertainty.
* The SSC noted that ACLs are an expensive approach as each catch limit must be determined annually and catches must be monitored on a near real-time basis. The scientists also expressed concern that needed biomass estimates are lacking for many managed species. Moreover, stock assessments are conducted annually at best, and one year is insufficient to evaluate the biological response of most fish stocks. The scientists noted that limiting fishing capacity may therefore be a more effective approach.
* Ongoing efforts to determine the annual total allowable catch (TAC) for seven deepwater species of
* Continue to request that NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) complete a new comprehensive stock assessment for
* The SSC did not support continuation of the risk assessment model being developed by PIFSC as it does not include Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and main
* Concurred with the Council’s preferred alternative to modify management measures for the
* The SSC noted that, based on PIFSC analyses, the proposed turtle interaction caps do not appear to have significant adverse impacts on the loggerhead and leatherback populations.
* Establish a federal permit and reporting system to improve data collection and understanding of the fishery, to document any future management needs and to provide the basis for establishing a limited entry program. The SSC did not oppose establishing a limited entry program for this fishery.
Fishery Aggregation Devices (FADs)
* Classify all floating objects that have been purposefully deployed or enhanced and used as FADs.
* Limit all FAD associated fishing to registered FADs only.
* Restrict use of FAD sets by purse seiners in
When the Council meets next week, it is scheduled to take action on all the above items as well as on an implementation framework for the Community Development Program (CDP), which promotes involvement of indigenous communities in fisheries; management options for small-scale fisheries, which are facing increasing economic and bureaucratic constraints; and control dates for the CNMI longline and Hawaii charter vessel fisheries.
A control date is frequently established when the Council begins considering a new limited entry program or the revision of an existing program. A control date tells the public that the Council may recommend that activities occurring after that date not count toward qualification for the limited entry program (or modification) being considered.
Public comments will be taken at the Council meeting prior to decision-making on these issues. For more information including a complete agenda, please go to ww.wpcouncil.org or contact the Council in
The Council is the policy-making agency for fisheries management in offshore waters surrounding the State of
