WESPAC schedules public meetings on fisheries management

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council announces the following public meetings on fisheries management in offshore waters of Hawai’i, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and the Pacific Remote Island Areas. For more information and complete agendas, go to www.wpcouncil.org or contact the Council at info.wpcouncil@noaa.gov or in Hawai’i, ph. (808) 522-8220, fax (808) 522-8226; on Guam, ph. (671) 687-6812; in CNMI, ph. (670) 322-9834 or (670) 287-9482; and in American Samoa, ph. (684) 258-9588.

122nd Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC)
March 8-10 (T-Th) 8:30am-5pm
Council office, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, Hawai’i
Major agenda items: Coral reef program projects; Center for Independent Experts review of data poor stock assessment model and Kona crab assessment; Management strategy evaluation priorities; Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) bigeye tuna quota; EPO swordfish overfishing; SSC Operational Guidelines and Three-Year Research Plan.

Hawai’i Advisory Panel
March 10 (Th) 9am-11am
Council office, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu and teleconference
Major agenda items: Island and pelagic fishery Issues, Fishery Ecosystem Plan modifications, Overfishing of EPO swordfish.

American Samoa Advisory Panel
March 10 (Th) 4pm-6pm
Department of Commerce Market Conference Room, Fagatogo Village, American Samoa
Major agenda items: Island and pelagic fishery Issues, Fishery Ecosystem Plan modifications, Overfishing of EPO swordfish.

Standing Committees
March 14 (M) 9am-5pm
Council office, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, Hawai’i
Major agenda items: Pelagic and international fisheries (9 a.m.-noon); Program Planning and Research (1 p.m.-3 p.m.); Executive & Budget (3 p.m.-5 p.m.).

165th Council Meeting
March 15-17 (T-Th) 8:30am- 5pm
Laniakea YWCA – Fuller Hall, 1040 Richards St., Honolulu, Hawai’i
Major agenda items: Overfishing of EPO swordfish; Fishery Ecosystem Plan modifications; Regional Operating Agreement; Statement of Organization Practices and Procedures; SSC Operational Guidelines and Three-Year Research Plan.

Fishers Forum
March 15 (T) 6pm-9 pm
Ala Moana Hotel, 410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu, Hawai’i
Major agenda items: Future of the Main Hawaiian Islands Bottomfish Fishery.
Written comments on agenda items for the 165th Council meeting received by March 4, 2016, will be copied and distributed to Council members prior to the meeting. Direct comments to Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director, WPRFMC, and mail them to 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813; fax to 808 522-8226; or email to info.wpcouncil@noaa.gov. After March 4, the submitter must provide the Council staff with at least 40 copies of the written comments. Opportunities for public testimony are available throughout the meeting as indicated on the agenda. These public meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Ms. Simonds at least five (5) days prior to the meeting date. (PR)