Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

Kitty Simonds and Barry Thom
KAILUA-KONA — The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) recognized Kitty M. Simonds, executive director of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, with its Outstanding Contribution to Pacific Coast Fisheries Award during the Commission’s 79th Annual Meeting in Kona,...
Arendees at workshop held in Guam
HONOLULU — The second day of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council meeting focused on strengthening fishing communities and expanding access to federal seafood programs.  NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Eugenio Piñeiro Soler emphasized the importance of regional knowledge...
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council logo
HONOLULU — The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council on Tuesday advanced actions on fishing access in Pacific marine national monuments and reviews of Hawai‘i longline and American Samoa bottomfish regulations.  The Council deferred action on fishing regulations for the Northwestern...
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council LOGO
HONOLULU — The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will meet Sept. 15–17, 2026, to consider several fishery management actions affecting American Samoa, Hawai‘i and the broader Western Pacific. These actions include fishing access around Muliāva (Rose Atoll), regulations for...
scientist collects biological samples
HONOLULU  — The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council concluded its three-day meeting Thursday.  For the American Samoa longline fishery, the SSC said if the Council decides to change existing turtle-related gear requirements, the...
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council LOGO
HONOLULU — Where can large fishing vessels operate around American Samoa? How much bottomfish can be sustainably caught there in the coming years? What science will guide the future of fishing in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands? These are some of the questions the Western Pacific Regional Fishery...
 Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council LOGO
Honolulu, HI — The 208th meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene by web conference (Webex) on September 15-17, 2026. Summary of Action Items at the 208th Council Meeting     •    Options for Amending the Large Vessel Prohibited Area in American...
Large Vessel Prohibited Area graphic
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The future of American Samoa's fisheries depends on informed community voices. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will hold two public meetings to discuss the Large Vessel Prohibited Area, or LVPA, and hear directly from fishermen, families and...
FISHING EXECUTIVES AND PRESIDENT TRUMP
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As the Trump administration works to open commercial fishing to U.S. fleets across the Pacific, some of its strongest allies in that push will soon fill open seats on the influential council that oversees fishing grounds around Hawaiʻi and the Western Pacific. Last week...
Lt. Gov. Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr with Kitty Simonds
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council commenced its June 9– 11 meeting in American Samoa with a culturally significant ‘ava ceremony held at the Su’iga’ula o le Atuvasa Fale Samoa. The ceremony was graciously hosted by the Office of Samoan Affairs,...

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