Western Pacific Region
Status of the Fisheries 2025 Revenue generally declined less than catch and rose in some areas as higher fish prices helped offset lower landings. Inflation-adjusted average price per pound increased by 7 cents in American Samoa, 50 cents in the CNMI, 17 cents in Guam and 28 cents in Hawai‘i.
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council manages federal fisheries and supports sustainable fishing seaward of the state waters of Hawai‘i, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and the Pacific Remote Island Area (PRIA), as well as pelagic fisheries on the open ocean in these jurisdictions. This work includes commercial and noncommercial (i.e., subsistence, recreational, cultural) fisheries under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA).
Fishing Costs: Fuel remained more than half of trip expenses in the American Samoa and Hawai‘i longline fisheries, although its share declined in American Samoa as fuel prices fell and bait, gear and crew provision costs Continued on page 2
Each year, the Council prepares reports for its five Fishery Ecosystem Plans (FEPs). This publication highlights key interannual changes and trends from those reports. Full reports are available at www.wpcouncil.org/annual-reports. Fishery statistics can be influenced by data reporting, environmental changes and socioeconomic factors. In recent years, climate events and changes in data collection, fishing operations and costs also affected regional fisheries. Some of these effects are reflected in the summary trends below, alongside recent stock statuses and management measures. Region-Wide Patterns in Pelagic Fisheries: In 2025, pelagic fisheries across the U.S. Pacific Islands had mixed results. Total catch declined in every jurisdiction compared with 2024, ranging from 3.5% in Hawai‘i to 53.5% in Guam.
Longline vessels in Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa. The territory’s tuna longline fishery supplies the StarKist cannery and U.S. seafood markets and accounted for most of American Samoa’s pelagic landings in 2025, despite a continued decline in the active fleet. Photos: Joshua DeMello and Edgar Feliciano.
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increased. Regional fuel prices dropped 23–30 cents per gallon, averaging from $4.07 in American Samoa to $5.16 in the CNMI, but remained 58 cents–$1.04 above 2021 levels. Persistently higher post-pandemic trip costs continue to make fishers more selective about when to fish.
Environmental Changes: Ocean surface waters continued to warm around the U.S. Pacific Islands. Frontal zones north of Hawai‘i targeted for swordfish by the Honolulubased shallow-set longline fishery continued shifting northward, increasing fuel use and safety risks. The Pacific Ocean showed neutral El Niño conditions with a major El Niño event forecast for late 2026.
Fisher Observations: The Council, its Advisory Panels and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) continued to document “on-the-water” fisher observations which complement scientific data. Across the U.S. Pacific Islands, common themes included increasing shark depredation, aging infrastructure and limited access, and continued growth in informal catch sales outside traditional or centralized markets.
Internationally Managed Pelagic Species: Stock assessments present a mixed but generally positive outlook for internationally managed pelagic species: • Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO)
Skipjack Tuna: A Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) assessment found the stock is sustainably harvested. Unlike the previous assessment, the results indicate spawning potential and fishing mortality have remained relatively stable since 2010 (Teears et al. 2025).1 • WCPO Oceanic Whitetip Shark: A WCPFC
assessment found the stock remains severely depleted, overfished and subject to overfishing, but it has shown signs of recovery since reaching a low point around 2013-2014. Recent changes in international longline fishing practices appear to have reduced fishing mortality, and current fishing levels are not expected to prevent rebuilding (Neubauer and Large 2025).2
The Western Pacific Council holds its 202nd meeting at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, March 25–27, 2025. Top: American Samoa representatives (l-r) Council Vice Chair Taotasi Archie Soliai, NOAA Office of Law Enforcement Assistant Director Martina Sagapolu, Council Chair Taulapapa Will Sword, Fono Rep. Trude Ledoux-Sunia, Executive Director Seuta‘atia Kitty Simonds, Fono Rep. Va‘asa Simanu, Council staff Felix Peñalosa and Council Advisory Panel Vice Chair Nathan Ilaoa.
Among assessed pelagic stocks, oceanic whitetip shark, striped marlin and silky shark are experiencing overfishing. Only oceanic whitetip shark is also classified as overfished.
2
Summary of 2025 Fishery Performance for Hawai‘i, American Samoa, the CNMI and Guam Trends compare 2025 with 2023 and 2024. Differences from previous publications may reflect how estimates are calculated from survey data. Green text in the tables indicates that the interannual value increased 25% or more from the preceding year and statistics in red text indicate that the value decreased 25% or more. Some data are withheld under confidentiality rules (i.e., if they are derived from fewer than three sources).
United States Exclusive Economic Zones of the US Western Pacific Region 140°E
150°E
160°E
170°E
180°
170°W
160°W
30°N Japan
20°N
Wake Island
Marianas Trench Marine National Monument
Palmyra Atoll Kingman Reef
Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument
Micronesia
Howland Island and Baker Island Nauru
0°
Phoenix Islands (Kiribati)
US EEZ waters open to fishing
Tuvalu
Tokelau (New Zealand)
Solomon Islands American Samoa
Wallace and Futuna Samoa (France)
Foreign EEZ waters High Seas
140°E
150°E
Jarvis Island
0°
Monument waters
10°S
Vanuatu
160°E
10°N
Kiribati
Monument waters closed to commercial fishing
170°E
30°N
20°N
Main Hawaiian Islands
Johnston Atoll
Marshall Islands
10°N
140°W
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument/ National Marine Sanctuary
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Japan
150°W
Tonga
Fiji
180°
Niue
170°W
Line Islands (Kiribati)
Rose Atoll Marine National Monument
Cook Islands
160°W
10°S
French Polynesia (France)
150°W
140°W
Teears, Thomas; Davis, Nick; Hamer, Paul; Magnusson, Arni; Peatman, Tom.; Phillips, Joe Scutt; Pilling, Graham; Scott, Rob; Vidal, Tiffany; Hampton, John (2025). Stock assessment of skipjack tuna in the western and central Pacific Ocean: 2025, 174 pages. WCPFC-SC21-2025/SA-WP-02 (REV3). Report to the WCPFC Scientific Committee. Twenty-first Regular Session, 13–21 August 2025. https://meetings.wcpfc.int/node/26679.
1
Neubauer, Philipp; Large, Kath (2025). Stock assessment of oceanic whitetip shark in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean 2025, 82pages. WCPFCSC21-2025/SA-WP-08-Rev1. Report to the WCPFC Scientific Committee. Twenty-first Regular Session, 13–21 August 2025. https://meetings.wcpfc.int/ node/26650.
2
3
Hawai‘i Hawai‘i’s deep-set longline fishery, which primarily targets ‘ahi (tuna), remained stable in 2025. The fishery’s 149 active vessels completed 1,679 trips, up slightly from 2024. Total pelagic revenue increased as higher average fish prices helped offset lower catch. The shallow-set longline fishery, which targets swordfish, showed a modest recovery in effort. Twenty active vessels completed 62 trips in 2025, compared with 54 trips by 21 vessels in 2024. Continued on page 5 Right: Buyers inspect the quality of individual tuna at the Honolulu fresh fish auction. Photo: Kirsten Leong.
2023 • Deep-Set Longline Vessels 150 • Deep-Set Trips 1,594 • Shallow-Set Longline Vessels 23 • Shallow-Set Trips 71 • Landings (millions of pounds) 31
2024 150 0% 1,635 3% 21 9% 54 24% 33.7 9%
2025 149 1% 1,679 3% 20 5% 62 15% 32.4 4%
Primary Fishing Method and Gear of Hawai'i Pelagic Fishermen Licensed in 2024-2025 2024 Total = 1,775 Longline Troll Handline
20% 52% 28%
924 502 349
400 495 349
120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000
28%
32%
2025 Total = 1,244* Longline Troll Handline
140,000
Revenue (thousand dollars)
Pelagic (commercial)
Pelagic Revenue by Species
40%
*The 2025 decline reflects the State of Hawai‘i’s implementation of the Commercial Marine Vessel License (CMVL), which eliminated individual licensing requirements for crew on CMVL vessels.
0 2023
2024
2025
Other Pelagics 8 Other PMUS* 9,185 Billfish 12,060 Tuna 98,139
2 8,411 8,430 93,907
4 10,597 11,728 96,470
*Pelagic management unit species
Left: An electronic monitoring camera aboard the F/V Green Mountain records hauling operations as the Council and NMFS work to expand electronic monitoring as a longline data-collection and monitoring tool. Photo: Hawaii Longline Association. Right: The camera from an electronic monitoring system captures a "bird's eye" view of the fishing vessel deck. This allows technicians to identify fish and other marine species brought on board. Photo: NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center.
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Deep 7 Bottomfish Catch by Species 200,000
150,000
Hawai‘i
100,000
Although important for local food security and cultural traditions, the commercial Deep 7 bottomfish fishery has been declining since 2014. Factors include increased shark depredation, fewer fishers — including the loss of highly skilled “highliners” — and changing market demand. The fishery showed signs of stabilizing in 2025. Total Deep 7 landings reached 154,637 pounds (+1.8%) and species-specific catches were stable or slightly higher. Commercial uku (gray jobfish, Aprion virescens) catch rebounded in 2025 after several years of decline. Landings rose 50.5% to 57,402 pounds. Active fishers increased to 229 and completed 829 trips, both above 2024 levels. Kona fishers also reported thousands of juvenile uku in March 2025. PIFSC stock assessments completed in 2023 and 2024, respectively, indicate that the Deep 7 and uku fisheries remain sustainable. Above: Small-boat fisheries remain an important source of locally caught seafood and help sustain fishing traditions, livelihoods and food security throughout Hawai‘i. Photo: Ed Watamura.
2024 286 20% 1,598 22% 43,069 26% 151,879 23% 147,713 24%
• Licenses 359 • Fishing Trips 2,050 • Fish Caught (# of individuals) 58,538 • Landings (pounds) 197,158 • Deep-Sea Handline 194,831 Landings (pounds) • Revenue (dollars) 1,931,073 1,356,207 30%
Uku (commercial) • Licenses • Fishing Trips • Fish Caught (# of individuals) • Deep-Sea Handline Landings
0 2023 Hapu‘upu‘u 3,330 Gindai 5,1 11 Lehi 8,505 Kalekale 10,036 Ehu 25,631 Onaga 46,640 ‘Ōpakapaka 97,770
2024
2025
2,344 3,395 4,046 7,399 22,819 52,499 60,705
2,488 3,395 4,642 7,491 22,839 52,499 61,183
Note: Totals don’t include confidential data from the inshore handline gear type.
Uku Catch
2025 330 1,671 45,350 154,637 153,208
15% 5% 5% 2% 4%
1,366,785
1%
2023 217 832 6,141 29,766
2024 193 11% 698 16% 4,807 22% 24,608 17%
2025 229 829 7,017 39,879
302,431
242,865 20%
420,215 73%
19% 19% 46% 62%
90,000
20-yr avg = 84,872
80,000 10-yr avg = 71,858 70,000
Landings (pounds)
Deep 7 Bottomfish (commercial) 2023
50,000
57,402
60,000 50,000
45,028 38,140
40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000
(pounds)
• Revenue (dollars)
5
0 2023
2024
2025
Hawai‘i (continued) The Kona crab (Ranina ranina) fishery recorded 88 trips and 5,905 pounds of landings in 2025 (+23%). Revenue more than doubled to $41,244. It is unclear whether these gains reflect the State of Hawai‘i’s 2024 regulatory changes, which allowed the harvest of female Kona crabs and extended the closed season by one month through September. Right: Kona crab is one of Hawai‘i’s crustacean fisheries monitored through annual catch limits under the Hawai‘i Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan. Photo: Palafamala Paddles.
Kona Crab (commercial) • Licenses • Fishing Trips • Crabs Caught (# of individuals) • Landings (pounds) • Revenue (dollars)
2023 20 70 3,202 4,879 21,281
2024 25 25% 68 3% 4,372 37% 4,783 2% 18,071 15%
Ecosystem Component Species (ECS) (commercial)
Below: Hawai‘i fishers share observations and priorities at a community meeting in Kona in March. The first round in a series funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, these gatherings gave voice to local fishers facing mounting environmental and regulatory challenges. They also offered insights into the future of island fisheries management. Photo: Joshua DeMello.
2025 25 0% 88 29% 4,332 1% 5,905 23% 41,244 128%
2023
2024
2025
545,711 259,325
460,612 202,261
16% 22%
525,876 242,023
14% 20%
99,411
90,709
9%
103,313
14%
46,170
33,563
27%
42,282
26%
452,008 1,837,095
419,701 7% 1,788,678 3
*top 3 ECS caught are ranked according to 2025 values
• Total Pounds Caught for Top 10 Harvested o Top Caught ECS - akule (bigeye scad, Selar crumenophthalmus) (pounds) o Second Most Caught ECS - ‘Ōpelu (mackerel scad, Decapterus macarellus) (pounds) o Third Most Caught ECS - ta‘ape (bluestripe snapper, Lutjanus kasmira) (pounds) • Total Pounds Sold for Top 10 Harvested ECS • Total Revenue for Top 10 Harvested ECS (dollars)
6
495,218 18% 2,086,820 17%
A fisherman heads out in his alia at sunrise in Pago Pago Harbor. Photo: Ed Watamura.
American Samoa American Samoa’s pelagic fisheries landed approximately 3 million pounds in 2025, down 13% from the 2024 high but consistent with recent years. Tunas continued to dominate, and longline vessels accounted for most landings.
Continued on page 8
• Active Longline Vessels • Longline Trips • Longline Sets • Active Trolling Vessels • Trolling Trips • Revenue from Trolling (dollars)
2023 10 37 1,224 9 339 10,469
2024 9 10% 47 27% 1,359 11% 10 11% 72 79% n.d.
2025 8 11% 36 23% 1,346 1% 11 10% 155 115% n.d.
10-yr avg = 3.5
4.0
3.5
3.5 3.0
2.9
2.9
2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 2023
2024
2025
Pelagic Revenue from Longline Vessels 4.0
Revenue (million dollars)
Pelagic (commercial)
4.5
Landings (million pounds)
However, American Samoa’s longline fleet continued its long-term decline in 2025. Eight vessels were active during the year, one fewer than in 2024, and only six remained active by year-end. In contrast, trolling vessel participation rose slightly, while trips increased 115%.
Pelagic Catch
3.5
3.4
3.4 3.0
3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 2023
2024
2025
A net full of tuna being unloaded at the StarKist Samoa cannery in Pago Pago. StarKist is American Samoa’s largest private employer, with about 2,000 workers. Photo: Felix Reyes.
7
American Samoa (continued) After a strong 2024 season, participation and catch in American Samoa’s bottomfish fishery declined in 2025. The number of vessels fell from 11 to eight, and estimated bottomfish management unit species (BMUS) catch dropped 55.7% to 5,011 pounds from 11,313 pounds in 2024. In 2025, no BMUS exceeded its annual catch limit (ACL), continuing the record of sustainable harvest since speciesspecific ACLs took effect. The limits are based on the 2023 stock assessment for nine of the 11 BMUS. The total estimated catch was well below the 10-year average of 9,224 pounds, and every species was below its 10-year average. Commercial data were withheld under confidentiality rules. Onaga (longtailed red snapper, Etelis coruscans), uku and black trevally had the largest declines, each falling by more than 1,000 pounds. Right: A young fisherman shows off a freshly caught palu-malau (ruby snapper, Etelis carbunculus) to take back to his family on Ta‘ū. Photo: Pacific Islands Fisheries Group.
Landings (pounds)
Estimated Bottomfish Catch from Shore and Boats 14,000
20-yr avg = 13,021
12,000
11,313
10,000
10-yr avg = 9,224
8,000 6,000
5,011
4,748
4,000 2,000 0 2023
Above: DMWR staff introduce Leone High School students to fish biology and life history through a Council-supported fisheries education initiative in January 2025 aimed at building fisheries literacy and strengthening future local capacity in American Samoa. Photo: Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources. Right: Tafauli (black trevally, Caranx lugubris), one of the species that contributes to American Samoa’s diverse bottomfish fishery. In 2025, the Council moved to simplify management by focusing annual catch limits on six deepwater snapper species while continuing to monitor the broader bottomfish assemblage. Photo: Tamiano Gurr.
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2024
2025
American Samoa American Samoan fishers cited deteriorating infrastructure, often unusable docks and ramps, which disrupt efficient fishing operations. Fishers also reported that large quantities of bottomfish go unsold and are discarded each week. Much commercial bottomfish trade has shifted to roadside sales rather than formal markets. Small-boat, longline and alia fishers said low-priced imports — sometimes $1 per pound for nontarget species — undercut local sales. Record rainfall in 2025 also disrupted fishing operations.
Council Chair Taulapapa Will Sword (left) and Council staff Joshua DeMello use radio in American Samoa to share information about upcoming public meetings, key fisheries issues and opportunities for community participation. Photo: Felix Peñalosa.
Above: Fishers and community members meet on Ofu in June 2025 to discuss challenges and changing conditions affecting American Samoa fisheries. Photo: Felix Peñalosa.
Ecosystem Component Species (ECS) (commercial)
2023
2024
2025
15,527 6,278 2,608 2,563 63,005
45,681 194% 19,361 208% 10,192 291% 8,104 216% 184,075 192%
59,261 25,114 14,227 12,485 238,813
*top 3 ECS caught are ranked according to 2025 values
• Total Pounds Caught/Sold for Top 10 Harvested ECS o Top Caught ECS - blue-banded surgeonfish (Acanthurus lineatus) (pounds) o Second Most Caught ECS - unicornfishes (pounds) o Third Most Caught ECS - parrotfishes (pounds) • Total Revenue for Top 10 Harvested ECS (dollars)
30% 30% 40% 54% 30%
Deteriorating floating docks at the Pago Pago Boat Ramp illustrate the aging infrastructure and access challenges raised by local fishers. Photo: Nonu Tuisamoa.
9
CNMI The CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife continued to face funding and staffing constraints in 2025. Incomplete survey coverage again limited catch estimates, which should be interpreted with caution. Fishers also faced access restrictions related to military activities. Around Tinian, small-boat fishers raised concerns about shifting buffer zones and enforcement rules when military vessels were in port. Based on available creel survey data, estimated pelagic catch totaled 78,161 pounds, far below the 10-year average of 334,101 pounds and continuing a multiyear decline. Trolling trips increased 43% to 2,234 in 2025, compared with 2024’s incomplete count of 1,563. Right: Dillan Cruz with a nice mahimahi catch. Courtesy photo.
Pelagic
2023
2024
2025
87 1,444 12,333 443,581
40 948 6,621 286,356
26 300 12,330 75,926
(commercial and non-commercial)
54% 34% 46% 35%
35% 68% 86% 73%
Estimated Pelagic Trolling Trips Number of Trips
• Active Commercial Fishers • Commercial Fishing Trips • Trolling Hours • Commercial Revenue (dollars)
2,500
2,365
2,234
2,000 1,563 1,500 1,000 500 0 2023
2024
2025
Estimated Pelagic Catch 350,000
Landings (pounds)
300,000
10-yr avg = 334,101
250,000 200,000 150,000
126,143
100,000
88,466
78,161
50,000 Military training activities overlap waters important to Mariana Islands fishing communities. In 2025, CNMI fishers continued to raise concerns about changing access restrictions and enforcement around traditional fishing grounds. Source: Mariana Island Training and Testing website.
10
0 2023
2024
2025
CNMI Bottomfish catch estimates rebounded to 31,542 pounds, compared with 5,883 pounds in 2024, although both estimates are based on incomplete data. Despite the higher catch, commercial bottomfish revenue fell 46.3% to $20,461, well below long-term averages. CNMI fishers reported severe market constraints and rising maintenance costs. On Saipan, limited consumer purchasing power further constrained commercial sales. In 2025, PIFSC updated the stock assessment for the CNMI BMUS complex, comprising 13 species of shallow- and deep-water snappers, groupers, jacks and emperors, using data through 2023. The analysis concluded that, as of 2023, the complex was not overfished, and the fishery was not experiencing overfishing. The update will inform future ACL specifications. Bottomfish 2023 • Commercial Landings (pounds) 7,036
2024 7,620 8%
2025 4,271 44%
• Vessels
3
10
(commercial and non-commercial)
19
84%
Jesse Boy Taitano with his giant trevally, a CNMI bottomfish species. Courtesy photo.
233%
Estimated Bottomfish Catch from Shore and Boats 50,000
10-yr avg = 40,529
13,417
10,000
40,000
Revenue (dollars)
Landings (pounds)
31,542 30,000
20,000
50,000
20-yr avg = 46,234
40,000
CNMI scholar Kiana Camacho studied at the University of Guam with support from the Council’s U.S. Pacific Island Fisheries Capacity-Building Scholarship Program, which develops local technical expertise for future fisheries science and management in the U.S. Pacific territories. Courtesy photo.
Bottomfish Commercial Revenue 37,229
38,126
30,000 20,461
20,000
10,000
5,883
0
0 2023
Ecosystem Component Species (ECS) (commercial)
2024
2023
2025
2024
2023
2024
2025
29,672 n/a 6,629 5,224 108,939
37,345 26% n/a 8,803 33% 5,678 9% 142,414 31%
37,345 0% 10,405 5,162 41% 3,370 41% 103,011 28%
*top 3 ECS caught are ranked according to 2025 values
• Total Pounds Caught/Sold for Top 10 Harvested ECS o Top Caught ECS - assorted reef fish (pounds) o Second Most Caught ECS - misc. parrotfishes (pounds) o Third Most Caught ECS - misc. emperors (pounds) • Total Revenue for Top 10 Harvested ECS (dollars)
11
2025
Merizo Boat Ramp provides access to Cocos Lagoon and southern Guam fishing grounds, underscoring the importance of reliable coastal infrastructure to the island’s small-boat fisheries. Photo: Felix Reyes.
Guam The number of active trolling vessels rose to 466, matching the 2023 level, and trolling hours increased 7.4% to 41,518. Despite the higher effort, catch rates fell across most species. Guam’s pelagic fishery experienced a sharp decline in estimated catch of 53% to 326,979 pounds, well below the 10-year average of 700,109 pounds. Staff at the Guam Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources said lower landings may be associated with the lagged effects of the 2023-2024 El Niño event. Commercial pelagic revenue increased 40% to $163,621 as higher fish prices partially offset lower landings. Even so, fishers reported that trip expenses exceeded sales returns. Pelagic (commercial and non-commercial)
• Active Trolling Vessels • Fishing Trips • Commercial Revenue (dollars)
2023 466 8,347 255,429
2024 447 4% 8,386 0% 117,477 54%
Estimated Pelagic Trolling Hours
Estimated Pelagic Catch 800,000
60,000
38,270
10-yr avg = 48,955
700,000
41,518
600,000
38,655
30,000 20,000 10,000
Landings (pounds)
Number of Hours
50,000 40,000
2025 466 4% 8,494 1% 163,621 39%
10-yr avg = 700,109 714,028
699,120
500,000 400,000
326,979
300,000 200,000 100,000
0
0 2023
2024
2025
2023
12
2024
2025
Guam’s small-boat pelagic fishery is deeply community based, with locally owned boats providing fresh fish while passing fishing knowledge and traditions across generations. Photos: Stephen Meno and Michael Dueñas.
Guam The 2024 stock assessment for Guam’s BMUS complex — covering 13 species of shallow- and deep-water snappers, groupers, jacks and emperors — determined that the complex is no longer overfished and is not experiencing overfishing, although it is not yet rebuilt. The assessment informed the Council’s 2025 recommendation to increase the ACL from 31,000 to 34,500 pounds. Total estimated BMUS catch declined 6% to 33,896 pounds, but remained above long-term averages. Fishers reported abundant, larger deep-water species on offshore banks but continued predator interactions. They also noted that lehi (silvermouth, Aphareus rutilans) were relatively large and the smallest landed onaga weighed 27 pounds. Adult scribbled rabbitfish (sesyun) are an important reef fish in Guam and part of the diverse catch monitored across the island. Photo: Felix Reyes.
Estimated Bottomfish Catch from Shore and Boats
Bottomfish (commercial and non-commercial) 2023
33 12,908
2025 56 1,134
40,000
24% 94%
36,130
35,000
33,896
30,000
Landings (pounds)
• Vessels • Commercial Revenue (dollars)
2024 45 36% 18,617 44%
25,000
24,668
20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 2023
2024
10-yr avg 20-yr avg
2025 28,879 28,681
The Council works closely with Guam’s fishery management agencies to connect territorial and federal fisheries management. At a June 2025 town hall in Inalahan, fishers and community members provided input on proposed measures for Guam’s territorial Fishery Management Plan. Photo: Felix Reyes.
Ecosystem Component Species (ECS) (commercial)
2023-2024
2025
*top 3 ECS caught are ranked according to 2025 values
• Total Pounds Caught/Sold for Top 10 Harvested ECS o Top Caught ECS - assorted reef fishes (pounds) o Second Most Caught ECS - Napoleon wrasse (pounds) o Third Most Caught ECS - unicornfishes (pounds) • Total Revenue for Top 10 Harvested ECS (dollars)
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
13
58,161 56,321 784 331 286,967
Guam captain and Council advisor Audrey Toves shares on-the-water knowledge with Jose Rios Middle School students in January 2025 through the Council’s Speakers Bureau, connecting fishing experience with lunar cycles, tides and ocean conditions. Photo: Felix Reyes.
2025 ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY ACTIONS For the Federal Register notices for these actions, go to www.federalregister.gov. June 10 (90 FR 24384) Amended Marine Conservation Plan (MCP) for Guam approved. Section 204(e) of the MSA authorizes the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary, and in consultation with the Council, to negotiate and enter into a PIAFA. The Governor of the Pacific Insular Area to which the PIAFA applies must request the PIAFA. The Secretary of State may negotiate and enter the PIAFA after consultation with, and concurrence of, the applicable Governor. Before entering into a PIAFA, the applicable Governor, with concurrence of the Council, must develop and submit to the Secretary a three-year MCP providing details on uses for any funds collected by the Secretary under the PIAFA. Payments collected under specified fishing agreements are deposited into the WPSFF, and any funds attributable to a particular territory may be used only for implementation of that territory’s MCP. An MCP must be consistent with the Council’s FEP for the applicable territory. NMFS approved this MCP from the date of the approval through Aug. 3, 2026.
2025 PUBLICATIONS 2026 Eskaleran Pulan Chamorro/2026 Refaluwasch Pápáál Maram (Chamorro/ Refaluwasch Lunar Calendar). 2025. Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. (classroom version). ISBN 978-1-950193-69-1
Pacific Islands Fishery News. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall issues. Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. ISSN: 2151-2329 (print); ISSN 2151-2337 (online)
2026 Eskaleran Pulan Chamorro/2026 Refaluwasch Pápáál Maram (Chamorro/ Refaluwasch Lunar Calendar). 2025. Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. (fishermen version). ISBN 978-1-950193-70-7
Western Pacific Region Status of the Fisheries 2024. 2025. Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. ISBN 978-1-950193-59-2
2026 Fanha’aniyan Pulan CHamoru (Chamorro Lunar Calendar). 2025. Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. (classroom version). ISBN 978-1-950193-67-7 2026 Fanha’aniyan Pulan CHamoru (Chamorro Lunar Calendar). 2025. Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. (fishermen version). ISBN 978-1-950193-68-4 2026 Kaulana Mahina (Hawaiian Lunar Calendar). 2025. Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. (classroom version). ISBN 9781-950193-63-9 2026 Kaulana Mahina (Hawaiian Lunar Calendar). 2025. Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. (fishermen version). ISBN 9781-950193-64-6 2026 Tau Masina o Amerika Samoa (American Samoa Lunar Calendar). 2025. Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. (classroom version). ISBN 978-1-950193-65-3 2026 Tau Masina o Amerika Samoa (American Samoa Lunar Calendar). 2025. Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. (fishermen version). ISBN 978-1-950193-66-0
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WPRFMC, 2025. Annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report for the American Samoa Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan 2024. T Remington, C Pardee, J DeMello, A Ishizaki (Eds.). Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. ISBN 978-1-950193-54-7 WPRFMC, 2025. Annual SAFE Report for the Hawai‘i Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan 2024. T Remington, C Pardee, J DeMello, A Ishizaki (Eds.). Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. ISBN 9781-950193-55-4 WPRFMC, 2025. Annual SAFE Report for the Mariana Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan 2024. T Remington, C Pardee, J DeMello, A Ishizaki (Eds.). Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. ISBN 9781-950193-56-1 WPRFMC, 2025. Annual SAFE Report for the Pacific Pelagic Fisheries Fishery Ecosystem Plan 2024. T Remington, C Pardee, M Fitchett, A Ishizaki (Eds.). Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. ISBN 9781-950193-57-8 WPRFMC, 2025. Annual SAFE Report for the Pacific Remote Island Areas Fishery Ecosystem Plan 2024. T Remington, C Pardee, J DeMello, A Ishizaki (Eds.). Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. ISBN 978-1-950193-58-5
2025 COUNCIL AND ADVISORY BODY MEETINGS Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (chair Will Sword): 202nd meeting, March 25-27, Honolulu; 203rd meeting, June 9-11, Honolulu; 204th meeting, Sept. 16-17, Honolulu; 205th meeting, Dec. 16-17, virtual Scientific and Statistical Committee (chair James Lynch): 155th meeting, March 11-13, KailuaKona; 156th meeting, June 4-6, Honolulu; 157th meeting, Sept. 9-11, Honolulu; 158th meeting, Dec. 9-11, virtual Advisory Panel (chair Clay Tam) • American Samoa (chair Nathan Ilaoa, January-July; Jerome Ierome, JulyNovember; Gene Pan, December): March 18, May 27, Sept. 2, Dec. 3 • Hawai‘i (chair Gil Kuali‘i): March 13, May 30, Sept. 3, Dec. 5 • Marianas Joint (chairs Richard Farrell and Dominick San Gil): Feb. 26, May 28, Sept. 3, Dec. 4, CNMI; March 3, May 31, Sept. 6, Dec. 6, Guam Plan Teams: Joint meetings: Jan. 21-23, virtual; May 5-9, Honolulu; Archipelagic (chair Marlowe Sabater); Pelagic (chair Emily Crigler) Education Committee (chair Craig Severance): no meeting Fishery Data Collection and Research Committee (no chair): June 6, Honolulu Fishery Data Collection and Research Committee—Technical Committee (no chair): Aug. 5, Honolulu Fishery Data Collection and Research Committee—Technical Committee: Data Collection Subpanel: no meeting Fishing Industry Advisory Committee (chair Michael Goto): Feb. 27, virtual; June 2, virtual; Sept. 4, virtual; Nov. 24, virtual Hawai‘i Bottomfish Advisory Review Board (no chair): no meeting
Non-Commercial Fisheries Advisory Committee (chair Dean Sensui): no meeting Regional Ecosystem Advisory Committee • American Samoa (chair Will Sword): June 30 • CNMI (chair Sylvan Igisomar): Feb. 27 • Guam (chair Judith Guthertz, JanuaryAugust; Chelsa Muña, AugustDecember): March 4 • Hawai‘i (chair Roger Dang): no meeting
Department of Agriculture (acting vice chair, August-December); Archie Soliai, American Samoa DMWR/AS Government (January-June); Nathan Ilaoa, American Samoa DMWR (JulyDecember) Designated federal official (voting): Sarah Malloy, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office
Social Science Planning Committee (Chair Craig Severance): May 27, Honolulu
Designated federal officials (nonvoting): Charles Brinkman/Rachel Ryan, U.S. Department of State; Brian Peck/ Jeremy Raynal, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; RADM Sean Regan, U.S. Coast Guard Oceania District
2025 WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS
2025 COUNCIL STAFF
Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review (WPSAR) for Guam Bottomfish Update Stock Assessment, April 2-3, Guam
Kitty Simonds, executive director; Joanne Asosaoletoetu, administrative financial assistant; Angela Dela Cruz, CNMI island coordinator; Joshua DeMello, fisheries analyst, data coordinator, aquaculture specialist; Mark Fitchett, pelagic fisheries ecosystem scientist; Elysia Granger, administrative officer; Bella Hirayama, travel and administrative clerk; Randy Holmen, fiscal officer (Jan-July); Asuka Ishizaki, protected species coordinator; Mark Mitsuyasu, insular program officer; Goldee Nastor (April-December), Fiscal Administrator; Felix Peñalosa, American Samoa island coordinator; Felix Reyes, Guam island coordinator; Amy Vandehey, education and outreach coordinator; and Zach Yamada, fisheries analyst
2025 COUNCIL MEMBERS Secretary of Commerce appointees from nominees selected by American Samoa, CNMI, Guam and Hawai‘i governors: Roger Dang, Fresh Island Fish Co. (Hawai‘i) (vice chair); Edgar Feliciano, Feli Fisheries Inc. (American Samoa, August-December); Judith Guthertz, University of Guam (Guam) (vice chair, January-August); Pedro Itibus, noncommercial fisher (CNMI); Frank Perez, AC Sales and Service (Guam, August-December); Matthew Ramsey, Conservation International (Hawai‘i); Jesse Rosario, Guam Fishermen’s Cooperative Association (Guam, August-December); Will Sword, American Samoa Power Authority (American Samoa) (chair); Gerald Weaver, Tasi To Table (CNMI) Designated state officials: Dawn Chang, Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources; Sylvan Igisomar, CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources; Chelsa Muña, Guam
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2025 US PACIFIC TERRITORIES FISHERY CAPACITY-BUILDING SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Kiana Camacho (CNMI-attending University of Guam); Christine Tominiko (American Samoa-attending University of Hawai‘i at Hilo graduate school); Ami Vice (Guam-attending University of Guam graduate school)
Capacity building across the Western Pacific takes many forms — from the Marine Resource Education Program (right), which connects fishers with fisheries science and the Council process, to hands-on vocational training for young fishers (above), and Council Member Ongoing Development (left), an initiative of the Council Coordination Committee (CCC) Communications Group that strengthens leadership and management skills. Photos: Keith Ah Soon, Joshua DeMello, NPFMC, MREP.
Connect with the Council on social media @wpcouncil
wpcouncil
@wp_council Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400 Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813 Phone: (808) 522-8220 Email: info@wpcouncil.org Web: www.wpcouncil.org
Fisher observations complement scientific data in the Council’s Annual SAFE Reports. Regional meetings capture on-the-water knowledge about ocean conditions, markets, stock abundance, predation and seasonal changes so annual fishery reporting reflects what fishers are seeing across the U.S. Pacific Islands.
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ISBN 978-1-950193-76-9 Published in the United States by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council under NOAA Award FNA25NMFX441C0002.