WestPac will convene its June meeting in American Samoa

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The 207th meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene in person June 9- 11, 2026, at the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center, Fagatogo, AS. A remote participation option will be available by web conference (Webex). Summary of Action Items at the 207th Council Meeting 1. ACL Specifications for MHI Kona Crab for 2027 to 2030 (Final Action) The Council will consider specifying multi-year harvest limits for the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) Kona crab for fishing years 2027-2030. The best scientific information available is the 2019 benchmark stock assessment with catch projection to 2026. Based on 2019 stock assessment, the maximum sustainable yield was estimated to be at 73,609 pounds and the overfishing limit at 33,989 pounds. In 2019, the Council’s P* (Risk of Overfishing) and SEEM (Social, Economic, Ecological and Management Uncertainty) Working Groups and the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) evaluated the scientific, social, ecological, economic, and management uncertainties and recommended a risk level to the Council. The risk of overfishing informs the Council’s consideration of annual catch limit (ACL) specification, and the management uncertainty informs the Council’s consideration in setting the annual catch target (ACT). Summary of Potential Action Items at the 207th Council Meeting 2. Mineral Mining in the Western Pacific On April 24, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14285, Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Mineral Resources, directing federal agencies to advance U.S. leadership in deep-sea mineral exploration. Within weeks, two commercial mining proposals emerged in the Pacific—one in U.S. waters off American Samoa and another in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, or CCZ, beyond the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ). At its 207th meeting, the Council will receive two presentations. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will provide an update on progress for mineral mining in American Samoa and in the Mariana Archipelago and the NOAA National Ocean Service will provide an update on mineral mining in the CCZ. On January 21, 2026, NOAA NOS published a final rule that revised the regulations for exploration license and commercial recovery permit applications for deep seabed mining (DSM) in waters beyond the US EEZ. Following the publication of the final rule, The Metals Company submitted a consolidated application for an exploration license and a commercial recovery permit for DSM activities in the CCZ. Pursuant to 15 CFR 970.502, NOAA must consult (prior to issuing any mining permit/license) with the affected Regional Fishery Management Council if the activities undertaken pursuant to such license could adversely affect any fishery within the Fishery Conservation Zone, or any anadromous species or Continental Shelf fishery resource subject to the exclusive management authority of the United States beyond such zone. NOAA will provide an overview of the consultation process. At its 207th meeting, the Council may provide comments and recommendations on the proposed DSM activity in the CCZ . On June 12 and November 10, 2025, BOEM published a request for information and interest for commercial leasing for DSM offshore American Samoa and the CNMI, respectively. BOEM received about 76,000 comments for American Samoa and about 65,000 comments for CNMI. Common themes in public comments focused on environmental impacts and affected communities, as well as the need for baseline environmental data. BOEM has identified specific areas for the two territories and will undergo further environmental analysis to assess the suitability for possible leasing. At its 207th meeting, the Council will receive an update from BOEM, and may provide recommendations on DSM activities in American Samoa and the Marianas 3. WCPFC South Pacific Albacore Allocation At WCPFC22 in December 2025, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission adopted the South Pacific Albacore (SPALB) Management Procedure (MP) that calls for catch controls and reductions of SPALB catch within the Convention Area south of 10°S. The objective of the MP is to improve the economic conditions of fisheries that target SPALB in the South Pacific. In June 2026, further WCPFC negotiations will begin at a SPALB allocation workshop hosted by New Zealand. American Samoa will have the opportunity to develop elements of an allocation scheme of SPALB for the WCPFC, including the proportion of catch in the EEZs and on the high seas within the affected MP region. Potential allocation negotiations include options for catch on the high seas and the EEZ and how the catch would be allocated amongst countries. At its 207th meeting, the Council will develop, review, and recommend preferred scenarios for SPALB allocation for the American Samoa Longline fishery to form positions at WCPFC meetings in 2026. The Council will consider and may take action on the issues summarized below, including any public comments on them. Written public comments on final action items should be received by the Council’s executive director by 5 p.m. (HST), Thursday, June 4, 2026, via postal mail, fax or email as indicated below. Mail: Ms. Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400 Honolulu, HI 96813 FAX: (808) 522-8226 E-mail: info@wpcouncil.org Section: Local News Tags: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council
2026-05-28 17:52:51