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the NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Office
(PIRO), NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries
Science Center (PIFSC), the Western
Pacific Regional Fishery Management
Council (WPRFMC), the U.S. Coast Guard
and other agencies. Working with the
Hawaii longline fishing industry, fishery
scientists from NOAA and the University
of Hawaii Pelagic Fisheries Research
Program (PFRP) monitor and study the
fishery to generate the information
needed for science-based management.
NOAA PIFSC, PIRO and WPRFMC staff
prepare scientific stock assessments,
and environmental and socioeconomic
impact analyses used for decision
making.
See Figure 5
The WPRFMC serves the primary
purpose of formulating and modifying
the Fishery Management Plan (FMP)
based on scientific advice and input
from the diverse range of stakeholders
through a transparent, open process.
Public testimony is taken at all meetings,
for all issues. The WPRFMC Scientific
and Statistical Committee, advisory
panels and numerous other committees
provide advice. The WPRFMC has
13 voting members (9 representing
fisheries interests and 4 agency
representatives) plus three non-voting
members representing federal agencies.
The FMP and its amendments are
proposed management actions to keep
the fishery sustainable. The FMP and
amendments are submitted to NOAA
for review, rule-making and imple-
mentation. The U.S. Coast Guard and
NOAA enforce the regulations. The
result is a model fishery management
system that is science-based, inclusive
and able to respond to changing
conditions to steer the fishery within
sustainable limits. While this process
is often contentious and challenging,
it is the model for inclusive, science-
based fishery management.
Science and Statistical Committee meeting
Photo: Oldak Callaghan