Wespac schedules public meetings for fishery management
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council announces the following public meetings on fisheries management in offshore waters of American Samoa (AS).
Unless otherwise noted, the meetings will be held by web conference. Host sites are subject to local and federal safety and health guidelines regarding COVID-19; check the Council website for updates. All times listed are local island times. For more information on the virtual meeting connection and complete agendas, go to www.wpcouncil.org/meetings-calendars.
Non-Commercial Fisheries Advisory Committee
November 16 (T) 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (HST)
Major agenda items: Fishery allocation discussion; National Recreational Fishing Summit update; and Fishermen observations.
AS Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan Advisory Panel
November 16 (T) 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (SST)
Major agenda items: AS Sustainable Fisheries Fund (SFF) project reports; AS outreach and education update; AS BF Data Workshop report; Territorial BF Fishery Management Plan update; AS fishermen observations update; and AP plans.
Pelagic & International Standing Committee
November 17 (W) 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (HST)
Major agenda items: Seabird mitigation measure revisions in the HI DSLL fishery; Endangered Species Act Biological Opinions report; Hawaii Longline Assoc. and Tautai o Samoa Longline & Fishing Assoc. reports; and WCPFC meeting reports.
Social Science Planning Committee
November 18 (Th 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (HST)
Major agenda items: Socioeconomic modules for the annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation reports; Social Science Strategic Plan update; and Environmental justice in fisheries management.
189th Council Meeting
Direct link to meeting: https://tinyurl.com/189CouncilMtg. If prompted, password CM189mtg.
Host site: Tedi of Samoa Bldg., Suite 208B, Fagatogo Village, AS
Major agenda items: Territorial creel survey expansion; Seabird mitigation measure revisions in the HI DSLL fishery (action item); False killer whale weak hook study report; AS BF Data Workshop report; WCPFC meeting reports; and Proposed NWHI sanctuary update.
Written comments on final action items on the 189th Council meeting agenda received by Dec. 3, 2021, will be distributed to Council members prior to meeting.
Direct comments to Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director, WPRFMC, and mail to 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813; fax to (808) 522-8226; or email to info@wpcouncil.org. Written comments on all other agenda items may be submitted for the record by email throughout the duration of the meeting.