Category Archives: Western Pacific
Leaking fuel tank washes up on Kauai
Japanese characters on the side of the tank and the large amount of marine growth led Berg to conclude that the tank came from Japan after the March 2011 tsunami. more@honalulustaradvertizer 07:25
Fukushima crisis new blow to Japanese fishermen’s hopes
Fumio Suzuki, a third-generation fisherman, sets out into the Pacific Ocean every seven weeks. Not to catch fish that he can sell but to catch fish that can be tested for radiation. Fishermen like 47-year-old Suzuki now wonder whether they ever will be able to resume fishing, a mainstay for many small rural communities like Yotsukura, 45 kilometres (30 miles) south of the Fukushima plant. His son has already moved on, looking for work in construction. more@3news 08:33
Mercury levels in Pacific fish likely to rise in coming decades, study reports
The study also confirmed that the mercury found in Pacific fish near Hawaii likely traveled through the air for thousands of miles before being deposited on the ocean surface in rainfall, said U-M environmental scientist Joel Blum. The North Pacific fisheries are downwind from rapidly industrializing nations such as China and India that are increasingly reliant on coal-burning power plants, a major source of mercury pollution. [email protected] 16:46
Report: Record tuna catch in 2012
MAJURO, Marshall Islands — Tuna catches in the western Pacific hit record levels in 2012 and coincided with record global market prices that bumped the value of the fishery to an all-time high of over $4 billion, according to a report presented to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission’s scientific committee that met in Pohnpei last week. And an increase in U.S.-flagged purse seiners fishing has resulted in a “sharp increase” in catch. more@islandbusiness 22:34
US Navy has rejected recommendations by the California Coastal Commission for its use of sonar and underwater explosives
In a letter July 31, the Navy said it disagreed with the commission’s determination that naval training plans did not include enough information to conclude the overall marine mammal count isn’t affected by sonar technology or by detonations at sea. The Navy is applying for a five-year renewal of its federal marine permit to conduct training over a huge swath of ocean between Hawaii and Southern California. more@utsandiego 08:24
American Samoa: Samoa PM says warming waters good for fisheries
The Samoan Prime Minister says warmer water caused by climate change is driving fish to its waters from the Western Pacific, which will benefit its fishing industry in the future. more@radionewzealand 07:20
Hawaii is raising mass quantities of a native sea urchin to battle an invasive seaweed that has smothered coral reefs in Kaneohe Bay.
The state Division of Aquatic Resources has been spawning and growing thousands of Hawaiian collector urchins at the Anuenue Fisheries Research Center on Sand Island. The urchins are the newest weapon against fast-growing “smothering seaweed,” which overtook Kaneohe Bay. “They were being tested for years before then, but we needed to mass-produce them to really make a difference on the reef,” said Jono Blodgett, an aquatic invasive species program leader with the state. more@hawaiinewsnow
Record Pacific tuna catch prompts calls for more protection
The Pacific is the world’s healthiest tuna fishery but there are concerns that it too may be acting too slowly in response to growing industrial fishing. listen@radioaustralia
StarKist Samoa GM credits God for cannery’s success
The regular Sunday morning church service at the Pago Pago Congregationl Christian Church of American Samoa was more packed than usual. The general manager of StarKist Samoa and division managers along with leaders of the American Samoa Government and various business owners joined the congregation for worship yesterday morning to open the 50th anniversary celebrations of the cannery. [email protected]
Greenpeace Report provides route to transforming Pacific tuna fisheries
A new report, launched today, Monday, by Greenpeace Australia Pacific, aims to provide a blueprint on how Pacific Island governments and regional bodies can promote a more sustainable and locally owned and operated tuna fishery in the region. @fishupdate.com
August 17th is StarKist Samoa Day in American Samoa!
Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga has proclaimed August 17 as StarKist Samoa Day in honor of the cannery’s 50 years of service to American Samoa. In his proclamation, Lolo detailed the history of StarKist’s presence in the territory, from when it was a part of H.J. Heinz Company in 1963 to its acquisition by Del Monte Foods in 2002 to the time it was bought by Dongwon Industries in 2008. He said Starkist Samoa has become the single largest producing tuna cannery in the world. @talanei.com
Lolo cites fisheries and construction as best options for economic expansion
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa – According to Lolo, in spite of international political and financial trends, at a local level there is resurgence in the fisheries industry and that is a positive indicator that the local economy may be headed in the right direction. “We must be aware, however of aggressive investments in fisheries development by China and European countries which continue to threaten the competitive advantage of our canneries. [email protected]
Center for Biological Diversity “tree huggers,” Endangered Species Act bid has PROP partnership concerned it – 4,000 year history of taking care of its coral
The Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Partnership or PROP has great concerns over a proposed listing of 66 reef building corals under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Calling the group “tree huggers,” Guam President Joseph Cameron Guam’ says PROP has a problem with that request because these people have never been to the pacific. continued@islandbusiness
VIDEO: Ocean Resources Management Plan signed by Hawaii Governor Abercrombie
HONOLULU, Hawaii – A plan to ensure the sustainable use of Hawaii’s ocean and coastal resources was signed by the governor today on Oahu. continued@bigisland
University of Hawaii study shows fish are injesting plastic
Plastic for dinner? Observations 
of frequent debris ingestion of pelagic predatory fishes from the Central North Pacific. The report
American Samoa: F/V Jackson T kicked out – The vessel which is based in Hawaii is here to pick up a fishing crew
A US fishing vessel was ordered to leave port yesterday because it did not give prior notice of its arrival as required. [email protected]
Monster Tuna Capsizes Hawaiian Fisherman’s Boat [VIDEO]
A fisherman has been dragged underwater by a monster tuna that caused his boat to capsize. Anthony Wichman still managed to hook the monster fish off the island of Kauai in Hawaii. continued@ibt
StarKist Celebrates 50th Anniversary In American Samoa With Commemorative “Made In America” Canned Products
In celebration of its 50th anniversary in American Samoa, StarKist Co. today announced the launch of newly branded “Made In America” canned StarKist, continued@prwire
Is the North Pacific humpback whale no longer endangered? – A petition to de-list is being reviewed
Worry About Whale Watching Comes From Within The Industry – NOAA will look at abundance trends as it considers the petition to de-list. Alaska Fisheries Science Center director Doug DeMaster says the number of North Pacific humpback whales has increased, “We went from what may have been as few as a thousand or so animals in the 1960s to more than 20,000 humpback whales today.” continued@ktoo
Hawaii Regulators Stop Plans for Lanai Wind Farm, Undersea Cable
State regulators have instructed Hawaiian Electric Co. to strike all references to undersea cables and the proposed Lanai wind farm from the utility’s long-awaited request for large-scale renewable energy projects that will serve Oahu. continued@honalulucivilbeat
Fish talks stalled but US given 18 months extension – US will pay US$63 million /12,000 days where the Vessel Day Scheme is in force
Parties to Nauru Agreement nations—the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and Papua New Guinea—control Pacific waters where the majority of skipjack is caught in the Pacific. continued@islandsbusiness
As Pacific fisheries observer force grows, so do complaints
As the Marshall Islands and other islands ramp up recruitment and training of fisheries observers, the number of reports by observers claiming verbal and physical abuse aboard fishing boats has escalated. continued@islandbusiness
Boaters concerned about 60-day closure of Mala Hi. boat ramp
LAHAINA – With the Mala boat ramp tentatively scheduled to close on Oct. 14 for 60 days, the handful of commercial bottom fishing boats that,,, continued@lahainanews
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council Address Overfishing (lots of info)
HONOLULU (28 June 2013) The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council concluded its three-day meeting today [Friday] in Honolulu on federally managed fisheries in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and other US Pacific Islands. continued@pacificnewscenter
Shark fin proposal divides federal and state government in Hawaii (believe it or not, I’m on NOAA’s side this time)
The Federal Shark Conservation Act would ban shark finning, where the fisherman cuts off the sharks fin at sea and throws the animal back in the water to die a slow death. However the federal law would allow fisherman to bring the whole shark to Hawaii, cut the fin off on land and then ship the fin out. The state doesn’t want to allow that and there lies the dispute. continued@hawaiinewsnow
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is considering removal of limit on swordfish catch
The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) says analysis of logbook and observer data indicates that swordfish catch rates in the American Samoa longline fishery are extremely low, with the majority of fishin trips having no swordfish. The SSC is proposing a no limit of swordfish per trip, and this recommendation and others will be considered by the Council when it meets in Honolulu June 26-28. [email protected]
American Samoa – Dr. Claire Tuia Poumele has been appointed to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.
She was among 20 new and returning members named by the US Secretary of Commerce yesterday to the eight regional fishery management councils that partner with NOAA Fisheries to manage ocean fish stocks. Dr. Tuia Poumele begins her three-year term on August 11. Also reappointed to the council is Taulapapa William Sword who has been an active member of the board for several years. The Western Pacific Council includes members from American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. [email protected]
Dongwon Industries, the owners of StarKist Samoa wants to build a USD $34.3 Million tuna cannery, but not here
Dongwon Industries, the owners of StarKist Samoa wants to build a USD $34.3 Million una tuna cannery and loining plant in Doma, West Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. The official said the project will make use of the Solomon Islands rich fisheries resources and it will benefit the people and the economy by providing more job opportunities, bring in foreign currency and improve the standard of living. [email protected]
Fishery annual catch limits (ACLs) and Striped Marlin Overfishing on Agenda for WPFMC Meeting in Honolulu
Honolulu – (17 June 2013) Each year since 2011, federal fishery managers have been required to set annual catch limits (ACLs) for all federally managed fish stocks with a few exceptions. During this week and next, the scientists and managers responsible for setting the ACLs for Hawaii and the US Pacific island territories meet to set the limits for 2014. The sustainable catch level is based on not only scientific factors but also socioeconomic and management uncertainty considerations. continued@pacificnewscenter
Hawaii fishermen say development is hurting reefs
Hawaii fishermen asked policymakers to address how runoff caused by land development harms reefs, fisheries and oceans when they consider how to cope with the effects of climate change. Ocean health can’t be looked at in segments, Oahu fisherman Roy Morioka told a committee of the federal body responsible for managing fisheries around Hawaii and other parts of the western Pacific region.Government officials need to take a comprehensive approach, Morioka told a Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council committee on ecosystem management in Hawaii today. continued@honolulustar
