Page 39 - IB January 2024

US scores overdue increase in bigeye tuna catch limit, while
American Samoa struggles to sustain its local tuna economy

The 20th Regular Session of the Western and Central
Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) was held
December 4-8, 2023, in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
The primary focus at this meeting was revising the
conservation and management measure (CMM) for
tropical tuna. For the Western Pacific Regional Fishery
Management Council (Council), the two major objectives
were for the WCPFC to 1) increase the bigeye tuna
catch limit for the Hawai‘i-based U.S. longline fishery;
and 2) obtain recognition for American Samoa purse
seine vessels to enjoy privileges entitled to Small Island
Developing States and Participating Territories.
The first objective was achieved as the catch limit
for the Hawai‘i-based longline fishery increased from
3,554 to 6,554 metric tons. This expansion factored
in catch previously authorized through arrangements
transferring up to 3,000 metric tons in bigeye catch from
the U.S. Participating Territories to U.S. longline vessels.
Catch limit increases for other nations (see Table 1) are
conditional based on increasing observer coverage from
a minimum of 5%, with a proportional increase in catch
up to 10%. The United States is exempt from these
observer coverage requirements because the U.S.
fishery already has the highest longline vessel observer
coverage and is recognized as the ‘gold standard’ for
monitoring within the international fishing community.
However, the second objective proved elusive for
American Samoa, as the Commission did not adopt
a footnote recognizing U.S.-flagged purse seine tuna
vessels as ‘integral to the American Samoa economy.’ for purse seine vessels from three months in EEZs of
This recognition would treat these vessels that offload Pacific nations to 1.5 months and to 2.5 months on the
and home port in American Samoa as associated with high seas. Purse seine effort limits in zone and on the
the Participating Territory, and therefore exempt from high seas for the United States remain unchanged at
restrictions using fish aggregating devices (FADs). 1,828 days. Perhaps the reduction in FAD closures will
Purse seine vessels are more efficient using FADs and incentivize vessels to remain in the WCPFC area year-
are restricted seasonally during closures on the high round.
seas and inside economic exclusive zones (EEZs) of American Samoa remains hopeful that a proposed
Pacific Island nations. The critical link lies in the seasonal Marine National Sanctuary by the Biden Administration
closures affecting purse seine vessels, prompting them around the Pacific Remote Islands (PRI) will not prohibit
to either offload in American Samoa or shift to the commercial tuna fishing. The proposed sanctuary
eastern Pacific during closure periods. The latter would overlays U.S. EEZ waters responsible for 10% of U.S.
result in offloading in the Americas (e.g., Ecuador or purse seine catch offloaded to American Samoa. Most
Mexico), threatening the vital flow of fish sustaining the U.S. waters are already closed due to the existing PRI
cannery in Pago Pago, and the local fishing economy. Marine National Monument. The Council, at its December
The tuna industry represents more than 80% of private 2023 meeting, asserted that the Council’s existing
employment in American Samoa. Almost 85% of the fishing regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Act for
purse seine vessels offloading in American Samoa are this area have established comprehensive protection
from U.S.-flagged vessels, and a reduction in the size since the 1980s. The regulations continue to provide
of the U.S. fleet in recent years (40 vessels in 2015 to long-lasting conservation and management for the PRI
12 vessels in 2022) has resulted in a significant decline fishery ecosystem, habitat and resources. American
in landings to the cannery. So any WCPFC provisions Samoa needs to maintain access to U.S. waters for its
to incentivize and maintain supply of tuna to Pago Pago local purse seine fishery and needs recognition for the
are imperative for the survival of the industry. remaining 12 vessels to be exempt from seasonal FAD
The new CMM included reduced FAD closure periods closures.
Islands Business, January 2024 39