Updated at 3:03 p.m., Saturday, June 16, 2007
Scientists recommend beefing up bottomfish reports
Advertiser Staff
HONOLULU — The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), which advises the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, concluded its three-day meeting in Honolulu Thursday with a variety of recommendations for commercial and non-commercial fisheries in federal waters (3 to 200 miles offshore) of the U.S. Pacific Islands.Several of the recommendations aim to improve fisheries data through increased regulations. As one SSC member phrased it, "If you catch them, you report them."
For the bottomfish fishery in the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI), which is currently closed for seven deepwater species — known as the Deep 7 — due to overfishing, the SSC recommends that the Council undertake the following:
The SSC reviewed a re-analysis of the 2005 survey of MHI bottomfish fishermen, conducted by the Council and the state of Hawai'i. According to the re-analysis by two University of Hawai'i at Hilo graduate students, recreational catch of the Deep 7 species (i.e., 'opakapaka, onaga, hapu'upu'u, ehu, kalekale, gindai and lehi) equals up to 25 percent of the MHI commercial catch of these species.
The SSC also reviewed a model by John Brodziak that can calculate annual catch limits for the Hawai'i bottomfish fishery based on various levels of risk of overfishing. The SSC asked Brodziak to run the model based on risk levels ranging from 0 to 50 percent.
The Council will consider these and other SSC recommendations on the management of the MHI bottomfish fishery on June 20, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the Ala Moana Hotel. The evening meeting will include a public hearing, and refreshments will be provided.
Regarding pelagic fisheries, the SSC expressed its disappointment that Amendment 14 of the Pelagics Fishery Management Plan proposed by the Council was not approved in its entirety by the Secretary of Commerce.
The Secretary passed sections on reducing international overfishing of bigeye and yellowfin tuna, but disapproved sections regarding protocols for dealing with tuna recommendations made by regional fishery management organizations and measures for federal permitting of and reporting by commercial non-longline pelagic fishing vessels in Hawaii.
One SSC member questioned how the United States expects accountability from countries like Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, when it can't even get its own act together. The SSC also noted that the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires implementation of annual catch limits by 2010-2011 and fulfilling this deadline will require adequate reporting of catch well in advance of that date.
Among SSC recommendations on pelagic fisheries were the following:
Regarding other fisheries, the SSC heard a report from Dr. Karl Brookings on catch and effort data for shoreline and reef fishing in American Samoa. The report indicated that these fisheries are clearly sustainable, and marine protected areas for fisheries management purposes are not needed as the fisheries are replenishing themselves.
All of the SSC recommendations plus those from other advisory bodies will be considered by the Council when it convenes June 19-22, at the Ala Moana Hotel. For a draft agenda of the meeting and information on these and other fishery issues, visit www.wpcouncil.org or contact the Council at (808) 522-8220 or at info.wpcouncil@noaa.gov.
