Fishery Council Meets to Shape Pacific Ocean Fishing Rules
Published Date: 11/20/2025
Notice
Summary
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council is holding important meetings from December 9 to 17, 2025, to decide on fishing rules and budgets that affect fishermen and coastal communities in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and nearby islands. You can join online or in person, and public comments are welcome until December 11. These meetings help shape how fish are managed, which can impact local jobs and the environment.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.
Final Actions May Become Proposed Regulations
Between December 9 and 17, 2025, the Council will consider agenda items marked as "Final Action." Those Final Action items may result in the Council transmitting a proposed fishery management plan, proposed plan amendment, or proposed regulations to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce under Sections 304 or 305 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
CNMI Bottomfish Catch Limits Up for Final Action
At the December 16–17, 2025 Council meeting the Council will take Final Action on specifications for CNMI bottomfish annual catch limits for 2026–2029. Final Action items may be transmitted as proposed regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Monument Fishing Prohibitions and Commercial Options
The Council agenda includes options for removing Federal fishing prohibitions and considering commercial fishing in the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument (MTMNM), Rose Atoll Marine National Monument (RAMNM), and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM). These items appear as action items across meetings December 9–17, 2025.
Electronic Monitoring and Vessel Monitoring Plans Reviewed
The Council agenda includes Electronic Monitoring updates, Electronic Monitoring Working Group items, and review of electronic monitoring vessel monitoring plans during meetings December 9–17, 2025. Those agenda items appear in SSC, Pelagic & International Fisheries, and 205th Council meeting sections.
Deep-Set Longline ESA Reconsultation on Protected Species
The agenda includes a Deep-set Longline (DSLL) Endangered Species Act (ESA) reconsultation item concerning the oceanic whitetip shark and leatherback turtles during the SSC meeting (December 10, 2025) and Council protected species agenda (December 16–17, 2025).
Vocational Fishermen Training Pilot Project Report
The Council will receive a report on the 2nd round of community meetings and a vocational fishermen training pilot project as part of its agenda on December 16–17, 2025 and in IRA project updates on December 9–11 and December 15. The report is part of the Council's updates under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) projects.
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