Page 8 - IB December 2024

Fish Are Food: Embracing Sustainable Fishing in Pacific Island Fisheries

In Finding Nemo, well-meaning sharks declare, “Fish are friends, not grounds, complicating the ability of native communities to fulfill their historic
food!” In the Western Pacific, however, the reality is clear: fish are food— roles. Fishing also supports U.S. needs, with tuna from American Samoa’s
and a vital source of it. StarKist cannery supplying U.S. schools and military bases. Pacific fisheries
For centuries, fish have sustained families, fueled celebrations, and continue to face challenges from policies that undermine indigenous
connected communities in the Pacific. Fishing provides locally caught practices.
favorites, often sold directly to families or markets. The real challenge is not
whether to eat fish, but how to do so sustainably. Fish are Money
Fishing is a cornerstone of the Pacific Island economy. Tourists flock to
Fish are Food the islands for fresh fish, whether it’s a poke bowl or the catch of the day.
For Pacific Islanders, seafood is essential—providing nutrition and Healthy commercial fisheries also support a vibrant travel industry.
reflecting a philosophy of taking only what is needed. This approach has In 2023, 239,900 recreational anglers in Hawai‘i contributed $820 million
helped maintain fish stocks for generations, but modern challenges are and supported 5,490 jobs. Hawai‘i’s longline fisheries generated nearly $120
disrupting this balance. million, while American Samoa’s fisheries brought in $3 million. Charter
The Billfish Conservation Act, which restricts the commercial sale of fishing generates over $50 million annually and supports hundreds of jobs.
marlin and sailfish, increases reliance on costly imports, reducing access to Yet, these fisheries face constant threats from demands to protect
traditional diets. Misinformation about mercury and overfishing also affects already-protected species, restrictions on fishing areas and competition
demand. Additionally, marine national monuments restrict fishing grounds, from cheaper imports.
forcing fishers farther offshore, raising consumer costs.
For Pacific Islanders, fish are more than food—they are central to cultural Fisheries are Important to the US
identity. Fishing is deeply embedded in traditions and community ties. The Pacific Islands play a vital role in global fisheries and U.S. geopolitical
stability. U.S. fisheries like purse seine, longline and small-boat fisheries
Fish are Culture in American Samoa significantly boost the local economy. In 2019, these
Fishing is woven into the islands’ social fabric. For thousands of years, fisheries contributed $300 million to American Samoa’s economy, while
Pacific Islanders have relied on the ocean for food, using every part of the Hawai‘i’s longline fishery generates $110-125 million annually and supplies
fish for tools, weapons and ceremonial items. two-thirds of U.S. fresh bigeye tuna and more than half its swordfish.
Fish are vital for ceremonies, gatherings and honoring ancestors. In many Supporting local fisheries strengthens U.S. presence in the region,
villages, fish are shared among families, elders and communities, reinforcing ensuring a voice in international fisheries management. However, policies
the role of fishers as cultural custodians. But regulations protecting species restricting domestic waters, such as marine national monuments, push
like turtles and giant clams sometimes limit indigenous harvest rights. fisheries into high seas competition, undermining U.S. interests.
Protected habitat designations further restrict access to traditional fishing These policies, often driven by special interest groups, are not always
based on sound science. The
influence of the Jones Act, for
example, drives up costs for
fishers and island communities.
Reevaluating such laws could
support local economies and
uphold U.S. sovereignty in Pacific
waters.
The Future of Fisheries
The goal isn’t to stop eating
fish, but to do so in a way that
preserves the fishing practices
and culture that sustain Pacific
Island communities. The Western
Pacific Regional Fishery
Management Council works
to ensure sustainable fisheries
continue by balancing conservation
with cultural and economic needs.
So, next time you enjoy fresh
fish, remember: fish aren’t just
food, they’re a link to the ocean,
our heritage and each other. And
as Finding Nemo says, we “just
keep swimming.”

Stay informed and participate in the
future of our fisheries by attending
Council meetings, submitting
public comments and following
updates at www.wpcouncil.org.
References
1. Hing Ling Chan. 2023. Economic Contributions of U.S. Commercial Fisheries in American Samoa. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-PIFSC-151, 35 p. doi:10.25923/
x904-a830
2. https://asafishing.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Hawaii/2023_ASA_Senate_Handout_Digital_Hawaii.pdf

3. WPRFMC, 2024. Annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Reports for the American Samoa and Hawaii Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plans 2023. T Remington, J DeMello, A Ishizaki
(Eds.). Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.

4. www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/13412/august-2024-visitor-statistics-press-release-final.pdf

5. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X18303610
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