Wespac Plans Action on Bottomfish, American Samoa Marine Conservation Plan
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Wespac) is scheduled to meet at the Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu from June 24 through June 26, to consider initial action on specifying annual catch limits on Deep 7 bottomfish and a plan for a new Marine Conservation Plan for American Samoa.
The council’s Risk of Overfishing and SEEM (Social, Economic, Ecological and Management Uncertainty) working groups and Scientific and Statistical Committee evaluated the uncertainties in May and recommended a risk level to the council. Options before the council range from no action to specifying an allowable catch limit.
The current conservation plan for American Samoa expires in July. The council is considering a Pacific Insular Area Fishery Agreement (PIAFA) to allow foreign fishing within t...
