Pacific Islands News Newsletter of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council Spring 2003

American Samoa Fishers Seek Larger Longliner he recent introduction of Tthe Community Demonstration Projects Program (CDPP) by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council has several local organizations and individuals in American Samoa excited at the prospects of obtaining fund- ing for -related pro- Forbidden Island Marine Sanctuary, CNMI In This Issue jects they have pondered for years. This program promises MPA Inventory for CNMI MPA Inventory for CNMI Now Available Online ...... 1 to be a suitable avenue to American Samoa Fishers secure funding not only for Now Available Online Seek Larger Longliner ...... 1 economic development but he Commonwealth Reserve on Rota. Council Display a Big Hit also for enhancing aspects of at Guam Literacy Event...... 2 the Samoan culture. of the Northern The CNMI inventory CNMI Passes Bill to Ban One of the favorite ideas Mariana Islands has a site profile page for with Scuba...... 2 T thrown around during each area including maps; Working Group to Advise (CNMI) is the first of the “leisure vailima” evenings US commonwealths, states general and legal informa- Council on MPAs...... 3 tion; site management, Midway Oil Spill Is Largest with local fishermen is the and territories to complete a purchase of a bigger alu- resources and protections; This Decade...... 3 marine protected area minum longline alia—called links; and data sources. It Fishers Voice Needs at (MPA) inventory in the Council Meetings ...... 4 SuperAlia—from the neigh- national database. The can be found at Is the Mercury Scare a Ploy boring independent Samoa. CNMI inventory includes www.mpa.gov/mpaservices/ to Shut Down Longlining? .....6 This type of vessel has been 11 sites: the Northern inv_status/sup_ Mercury Scare May Impact highly recommended by a Marianas Islands cnmiextended.html. ...... 7 Representatives from Sea Turtle Symposium Focuses Continued on page 2 Conservation Areas of on Fisheries Interactions, Uracas, Maug, Asuncion CNMI’s Division of Fish Indigenous Uses...... 8 and Guguan Islands; Bird and Wildlife (DFW) initiat- Workshop Identifies Actions Island Marine Sanctuary; ed the project last July by to Reduce Sea Turtle Bycatch.8 Bird Island Sea Cucumber collaborating with other Group Works to Reduce Reserve; Bird Island Wildlife environmental agencies, Sea Turtle Bycatch...... 9 Conservation Area; including the Department NMFS Establishes New Pacific Islands Region...... 10 Forbidden Island Marine of Lands and Natural NMFS Endorses Circle Sanctuary; Laulau Bay Sea Resources, the Coastal Resources Management Hooks...... 10 Cucumber Reserve; Tank Western Pacific Least Beach Trochus Reserve; Program, the Division of Overfished Region...... 11 Kagman Wildlife Environmental Quality and New Fisheries Survey Vessel Conservation Area; the Office of the Governor. Based in ...... 11 Fishermen are interested in Lighthouse Reef Trochus The inventory was submit- Council Chair Judith Guthertz obtaining a 40-foot SuperAlia Reserve; the Managaha ted for inclusion on Bids Fond Farewell...... 11 for American Samoa. Council Calendar...... 12 Marine Conservation Area; www.mpa.gov in November Neighboring Samoa procured its Western Pacific Recipe...... 12 first SuperAlia (pictured above) and the Sasanhaya Fish 2002. a few years ago. American samoa fishers seek larger longliner continued from page 1 top official with Samoa’s Fisheries Division (Ministry of Agriculture, Forest, Fisheries and Meteorology), who was per- CNMI Passes Bill to Ban sonally involved in fishing trials of the first SuperAlia prototype. Fishing with Scuba Compared to the 28-foot alias typically used in American Samoa, this 40-foot vessel is safer, more comfortable and more he Saipan and fishing and harvesting of reliable and can reach outlying fishing areas. Its relatively big- Northern Islands marine life in these areas ger holding capacity also makes it much more economical to Legislative is essential to maintain- operate than its smaller predecessor. T Delegation has passed a ing, preserving and bill prohibiting the use of enhancing the marine scuba and similar gear ecosystem for the use and Council Display a Big Hit at for fishing around the enjoyment of future gen- island of Saipan and the erations of Northern Guam Literacy Event Northern Islands. Marianas residents. Introduced by If signed into law, the Congressman Pete Castro penalty for using scuba and sponsored by several and other related devices others, including to fish would be a fine of Congressman Arnold I. not more than $1,000 or Palacios, a former direc- imprisonment for not tor of the CNMI’s more than six months or Division of Fish and both. In addition, the Wildlife, House Local scuba apparatus and Bill Number 13-033 is other equipment used in now headed to the gover- this form of fishing— nor for his action. such as spear gun, the If approved, it will boat and its motor— become unlawful for would be confiscated and fishermen (commercial donated to the Division or non-commercial) to of Fish and Wildlife to use scuba or other related assist in its monitoring Children enjoy the coloring sheets at the Council’s exhibit and enforcement of fish- booth, staffed by John Calvo, the Council’s onsite coordina- diving devices when fish- tor for Guam. ing or harvesting marine ing regulations. All fines life within the lagoon collected would be n March 2, 2003, the Pacific Daily News and coastal waters of the deposited into the Fish launched its literacy project, READ: All municipality of Saipan and Game Conservation About It. Children of all ages were treated to and the Northern Fund in a special account O to support conservation celebrity readers, skits, Chamorro storytellers and Islands. educational displays. The afternoon event at the The bill was intro- and enforcement activi- Micronesia Mall was well attended. duced following the dele- ties within the munici- As part of its education and outreach program, the gation’s findings that the pality Saipan and the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council partici- use of scuba and other Northern Islands. The pated in this worthwhile event by setting up an edu- related devices have Department of Lands cational game display board featuring some of Guam’s caused a significant and Natural Resources, local fish. The colorful display was a big hit with both depletion of fish and in consultation with the adults and children. Visitors tested their knowledge other marine life within Division of Fish and by naming each fish and identifying its habitat. the lagoon and coastal Wildlife, would enforce The display table also featured Council brochures, waters. The delegation the provisions of the pro- newsletters and coloring sheets of some of Guam’s also noted that preserv- posed legislation. local fish. Children lined up for the coloring sheets, ing and regulating the and teachers asked for copies of the Council newslet- ters for their school libraries, so as to provide addi- tional reading material for the students.

Pacific Islands Fishery News 2 Spring 2003 2001 Pelagic and Bottomfish Working Group to Advise Council on Annual Reports Marine Protected Areas Available n 2002, the Western Pacific Fishery important and desirable marine species he Western Pacific Fishery Management Management Council formed the and habitats. They say fully protected T MPAs may provide a number of bene- Council's Pelagic and IMarine Protected Area (MPA) Bottomfish Annual Working Group. Its role is to develop fits: protection of spawning stock bio- Reports for 2001 were an overarching MPA policy and to mass, a recruitment source for sur- recently published. The keep the Council informed on MPA rounding areas, supplemental restock- documents are posted on policy issues on a national level and on ing of fished areas through emigration, the Council’s website at the state of the MPA science in the maintenance of natural populations age www.wpcouncil.org and region, nation and world. It will also structures, habitat maintenance, biodi- can be downloaded in pdf ascertain the MPA-associated research versity maintenance, insurance against format from the Pelagic needs in the Western Pacific Region, management failures in fished areas Fisheries and Bottomfish provide appropriate assistance on and simplified enforcement. Fisheries pages. Hard copies or pdf files on a CD efforts to create MPAs in the Western While many of these potential benefits have yet to be demonstrated, a can be requested from the Pacific Region and foster adaptive, Council office. Phone +1 number of studies indicate that the ecosystem-based management of 808 522-8220. Council-designated MPAs. establishment of MPAs in reef ecosys- In the US Pacific Islands, MPAs tems results in larger sizes and greater have a variety of names, including abundance of reef fishes within the marine life conservation districts, protected area. Such results are of great wildlife refuges, regulated/restricted interest to fishery managers because fishing areas, marine sanctuaries, they demonstrate the potential MPAs marine reserves and fisheries manage- may provide in enhancing fish stocks ment areas, to name a few. MPAs regu- and rebuilding heavily exploited fish late various type of activities to varying populations. What remains unclear is Pacific Islands Fishery News is published by the Western degrees, ranging from minor fishing the extent to which MPAs increase fish Pacific Fishery Management restrictions up to a complete ban on stocks and availability in adjacent open Council, 1164 Bishop St., Suite human presence. waters. 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813. All rights reserved. Unsolicited Some MPA proponents argue that In order for MPAs to be effective for material will not be returned fully protected (i.e., no-take) MPAs are , careful thought unless accompanied by a self- needed to alleviate the dramatic and planning must be done to maxi- addressed stamped envelope. declines in the size, number, distribu- mize resource protection while mini- Telephone: +1 808 522-8220 tion and quality of a wide variety of mizing impacts to the resource users. Fax: +1 808 522-8226 Email: [email protected] http://www.wpcouncil.org Chair Judith Guthertz Midway Oil Spill Is Largest This Decade (Guam) Vice Chairs pelago in the past decade. Wildlife Service about prob- ometime over the week- Frank Farm (Hawaii) Contaminated sand is being lems with rusting pipes, The end of Feb. 8-9, 2003, Manuel Cruz (Guam) approximately 82,680 stockpiled and covered until a Honolulu Advertiser reported. S Tom Pangelinan gallons of jet fuel leaked from decision can be made on how It is unknown what (Northern Mariana a corroded fitting on a fuel to clean it up. impacts the spill may have Islands) line on Midway Atoll, The A representative of had on the monk seals, turtles Aitofele T. Sunia (American Samoa) Honolulu Advertiser reported. Midway Phoenix, former or other protected species on Executive Director That makes it the largest fuel operator of the Midway fuel the atoll, which is a national spill in the Hawaiian archi- farm, said the company had wildlife refuge. Kitty M. Simonds warned the US Fish and

Pacific Islands Fishery News 3 Spring 2003 Fishers Voice Needs at Council Meetings

ishermen, government representatives and other interested GUAM Fpersons in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern ✱ Impacts of foreign fishing fleets on Guam’s economy and Mariana Islands (CNMI) had several opportunities to voice their fishing industry fishery-related concerns during a series of meetings conducted ✱ Volume of illegal fishing being conducted on the offshore by Council members and staff of the Western Pacific Fishery banks by foreign longline vessels and redirection of US Coast Management Council during February 2003. Guard assets from fishery patrols to anti-terrorism duties ✱ Impacts of shark populations and their predation on fish caught by local fishermen ✱ Residence times of yellowfin and skipjack within the US exclusive economic zone around Guam ✱ Bottomfish grounds around Guam and the CNMI ✱ Impact of untethered fishing aggregation devices on pelagic and coral reef habitats ✱ Impact of purse seining in the Pacific, with emphasis on the Mariana Islands CNMI ✱ Fishing potential around the Mariana Archipelago (survey and fishing trials to be conducted by the NOAA research ves- Felix Perez Camacho, governor of Guam, and his wife, Joann G. sel Oscar Elton Sette) Camacho (far right), with Council Executive Director Kitty M. Simonds. ✱ CNMI troll and handline fisheries (catch, effort and biological Fishery Disaster Impacts: On Feb. 7, Council Chair Judith data) Guthertz, Executive Director Kitty M. Simonds and staff met ✱ Shark resources around CNMI with fishermen at the Guam Fishermen’s Cooperative 117th Council Meeting: Members of the Council addressed Association to discuss fishery disaster impacts from Typhoon a diverse array of fishery issues Feb. 10-14 in Saipan. Among Pongsona. Among the impacts of the typhoon reported by the the actions taken were the following: fishermen were the following: ✱ Final action to recommend removal of the requirement for ✱ Marked decline of pelagic fish catches, especially mahimahi pelagic troll, hand- ✱ Reduced tourist numbers, negatively impacting charter vessel line and pole-and- vessels in the ✱ damage, usually in excess of $5,000 per vessel Western Pacific Region to carry bolt ✱ Rise in typhoon insurance premiums cutters and line clip- ✱ $225,000 of structural damage to the Guam Fishermen’s pers to release cap- Cooperation Association and an additional $85,000 in lost tured sea turtles. equipment and salaries Reports show that The Council staff encouraged fishermen to complete the these vessels have Fishery Damage Rapid Assessment Survey as soon as possible. virtually no interac- Federal agencies and the government of Guam require this tions with sea tur- assessment as a prequalification for emergency aid and disaster tles. Longline vessels relief. will continue to be Cooperative Research: Staff members from the Council and required to carry the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) conducted meet- these devices. ings in Guam on Feb. 7 and in CNMI on Feb. 13 to identify ✱ Initial action to potential Cooperative Research Program projects. This is a com- amend the bottom- petitive program that awards $3 million nationwide. As such, fish fishery manage- only a few projects in the region are likely to be funded. Guam ment plan to issue and CNMI fishermen identified 10 potential projects to Northwestern Made of limestone, the Latte Stone was research. used by the ancient Chamorros as a pillar Hawaiian Islands for an elevated home, it is speculated. The Mau Zone permits largest Latte Stones found are 25 feet tall and date to 1500 BC.

Pacific Islands Fishery News 4 Spring 2003 in Guam and CNMI

(l-r) John Calvo, Guam onsite coordinator; Jack Ogumoro, CNMI onsite Guam Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources staff: back row (l-r): coordinator; Hon. Benjamin Manglona, mayor of Rota; Richard Seman, Lil Taijeron, Trina Leberer, Neil Martin, Shawn Wusstig; front row (l-r) director of Division of Fish and Wildlife; and Vicente Atalig, resident Brent Tibbatts, Jaime Bass, Tom Flores. Not pictured: Jay Gutierrez, J. P. director, Rota Department of Lands and Natural Resources. Gesner, Carlos Quintanilla.

for indigenous communities through the establishment of a Data Needs: The Council held public meetings in Guam on Community Development Program. Feb. 8 and in CNMI on Feb. 10 to solicit advice on the need for ✱ Initial action to implement an area closure in federal waters additional data collection. Currently, creel surveys and trip tick- out to 50 miles from shore around Guam for bottomfish ves- ets are the primary methods for collecting fishery data in Guam sels greater than 50 feet. The aim of the recommendation is and CNMI. In general, meeting participants favored increasing to ensure that smaller bottomfish-targeting vessels remain data collection through community-based monitoring programs. productive. Public meetings to solicit comments on this pro- Community Demonstration Projects: A grant-writing work- posal were conducted in CNMI on Feb. 8 and in Guam on shop was held Feb. 13 in CNMI and Feb. 15 in Guam for per- Feb. 10. sons interested in applying for a grant under the Community Demonstration Projects Program. This program provides grants During the meeting, new Council members were sworn in. to eligible Western Pacific communities to establish projects that promote indigenous fishing practices.

Among the attendees of the Council meeting in CNMI were (front row, l- r) Charles Karnella, Ben Sablan, Tom Pangelinan, Judith Guthertz, Kitty Simonds, Allen Tom, Manny Cruz; (back row, l-r) Bob Wilson, Ed Ebisui, Frank Farm, Walter Ikehara, William Gibbons-Fly, Roy Morioka, Ray Tulafono, Aitofele Sunia, Frank McCoy and Judson Feder.

Pacific Islands Fishery News 5 Spring 2003 Is the Mercury Scare a Ploy to Shut Down Longlining?

n April 10, 2003, “People can protect their own health ple, the Seychelles Child Development State Attorney General Bill and our oceans by simply not eating Study (SCDS) focused for five years on Lockyer filed lawsuits against swordfish.” (The Wave 2003) 700 mothers and children who regularly nearly 20 restaurants for not Getting the US Food and Drug consume large amounts of pelagic fish. Owarning customers about mercury in Administration (FDA) to include tuna in The University of Rochester research . The AG’s complaint alleges that its mercury advisory is one of the Sea team that conducted the Seychelles the restaurants have violated the provi- Tur tle Restoration Project’s initiatives. research made a report to Congress that sions of Proposition 65, i.e., “disclosure In January 2001, the FDA issued a stated: “The results of the SCDS so far before exposure” to known reproductive warning that pregnant women should indicate no adverse developmental toxins. Filed in Superior Courts in San not eat swordfish, king mackerel, shark effects from prenatal MeHg [methyl Francisco and Los Angeles, the lawsuits and tilefish due to their mercury levels. mercury] exposure in the range com- seek to force restaurants to warn cus- The FDA guidelines consider 1 ppm monly achieved by consuming large tomers about swordfish, ahi (yellowfin) methyl mercury as the safe intake level amounts of fish.” tuna, tuna and shark and to for the average consumer. In July 2002, Furthermore, warning women to not prohibit the sales of seafood until they an FDA advisory panel recommended eat fish may actually be detrimental to post warnings, reports E-Wire. that consumers also be warned about public health, as fish contains natural In February of this year, the AG the potential risks of exposure to mer- compounds that are beneficial and even ordered five of the biggest grocery chains cury in tuna. essential for developing fetuses and in the state to post signs that read: Many in the fishing industry ques- infants. Danish researchers report that “Warning! Pregnant and nursing women, tion the basis for linking mercury poi- women who consume fish or seafood women who may become pregnant, and soning to fish consumption. They note once a week during the first 16 weeks of young children should not eat the fol- that the only incident in which mercury pregnancy have a 3.5 times lower risk of lowing fish: swordfish, shark, king mack- in marine fish caused serious public giving birth to a low birth weight or pre- erel, tilefish. They should also limit their health problems was associated with mature baby than do women who never consumption of other fish, including gross contamination of fish resulting consume fish or seafood. German fresh or frozen tuna.” That decision was from industrial effluents that polluted researchers found that the content in the result of a lawsuit filed by the Turtle Minamata Bay in Japan in the 1950s. mother’s milk of docosahexaencic Island Restoration Network and the As There has never been a scientifically doc- (DHA)—which is vital for the proper You Sow Foundation. umented case of mercury poisoning development of an infant’s brain and Many in the fishing industry ques- reported that was associated with the retina—was 0.05% in vegetarian tion the motives of the Turtle Island consumption of large pelagic species women, 0.3% in the average omnivorous Restoration Network, which has for (tuna, marlin, swordfish, sharks, etc.). women and 1.40% in Inuit women, who years attempted to shut down the long- The Environmental Protection consume large quantities of fish and line fishery to protect sea turtles. Doug Agency is pushing the FDA to adjust its other seafood. Israel, project director of the Sea Turtle guidelines. The EPA would like the FDA Perhaps the best advice for now for Restoration Project (an initiative of the to use a study of the Faroe Islands (locat- pregnant and nursing women would be Tur tle Island Restoration Network), has ed near Norway and Iceland) as a basis to eat a varied diet including fresh fish to made these statements during this time: for their recommendations. make sure babies receive the beneficial “We’re actively trying to reduce con- The industry, however, is quick to oils needed for brain development—and sumption of swordfish. Time is running point out that the Faroe Islands popula- avoid eating pilot whales. out. We have to be as bold as we can.” tion is exposed to large doses of methyl (Seafood Business 1999) mercury and PCBs from eating pilot “By issuing a public health advisory, whale (which is not a fish) at feasts. US Gov. Davis could protect both public consumers, on the other hand, do not health and endangered species. The eat pilot whale. increase in swordfishing in the Pacific The industry believes that recom- has lead to a double crisis: the poisoning mendations on seafood consumption for of pregnant women and the killing of Americans should be based on a study of endangered sea turtles.” (Sea Turtle a population that eats seafood similar to Restoration Project news release 2002) that eaten by US consumers. For exam-

Pacific Islands Fishery News 6 Spring 2003 SSC, Plan Team and AP members of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Mercury Scare May Impact Council Hawaii Fishing Industry SCIENTIFIC AND STATISTICAL COMMITTEE (indefinite terms): Stewart Allen, Richard Brock, Paul Callaghan (chair), Emmanuel n analysis of the mercury content in locally Coutures, Charles Daxboeck, Richard Deriso, Scott Eckert, John landed fish conducted by the Hawaii State Hampton, Walter Ikehara, Pierre Kleiber, James Parrish, Craig Department of Health in 2002 suggests A Severance, John Sibert, Robert Skillman, Michael Trianni that the current mercury scare may have some seri- ous implications for the Hawaii fresh fish industry. PLAN TEAMS (indefinite terms): Ex-officio members of all Plan If the current US Food and Drug Teams: David Hamm, Reginald Kokubun, Minling Pan. Administration (FDA) defect action limit of 1.00 Bottomfish and Seamount Groundfish: Tom Flores, Donald ppm methyl mercury is maintained, the Hawaii Heacock, Walter Ikehara, Kurt Kawamoto, Robert Moffitt industry may encounter new requirements for mer- (chair), Kate Moots; Coral Reef Ecosystems: Tim Adams, Charles cury sampling and testing. This raises questions Birkeland, Edward Demartini, Alan Everson, Alan Friedlander, regarding the costs and practicality of sampling and Jay Gutierrez, James Maragos, Fatima Sauafea, Michael testing prior to the sale of fresh fish in the market. Tenorio, Jeffrey Walters (chair); Crustaceans: Mike Gawel, Kurt The test turnaround time is too long to be applied Kawamoto, Jo-Anne Kushima, Richard Phillips, Jeffrey Polovina to a fresh fish industry and if required may greatly (chair), Stu Simmons, Michael Tenorio; Pelagics: Keith Bigelow alter industry practices. (chair), Christofer Boggs, Andrew Burnell, Russell Ito, Pierre If the FDA defect action limit is reduced as Kleiber, Nathaniel Martin, Ray Roberto, John Sibert, Robert some people are advocating, a greater number and Skillman, Selaina Vaitautolo; Precious Coral: Richard W. Grigg percentage of the important pelagic fish caught in (chair), James Maragos, Carl Marsh, Tony Montgomery, Frank the Hawaii pelagic fishery may be subject to warn- Parrish ings. This scenario would be devastating to the ADVISORY PANELS (2003–2004): Chair: Richard Shiroma; Vice Hawaii industry. It should be kept in mind that Chair: Sean Martin. Commercial: James Anderson, Clayton this scenario might occur without evidence that the Carvalho, Manny Duenas (chair), Harris Hiura, Christinna Lutu, consumption of pelagic fish has ever caused methyl Ramon C. Mafnas, Sean Martin, Leo Ohai, Benny K. Pangelinan, mercury poisoning. Richard Tamashiro; Ecosystem and Habitat: Jennifer Bauer, Lida Average Total Mercury Content for Hawaii Chase, Michael Crook, Eric Gilman, John Gourley (chair), Pelagic Fish* Agustin Gumataotao, Dwayne Meadows, Fatima Sauafea,

Mahimahi: 0.19 ppm (range 0.06 to 0.33 ppm) Joaquin Villagomez, Wadsworth Yee; Recreational: Gary Beals, Tim Hale, Pedro Itibus, Henry Lau, Michael Loffenes, Manases Striped Marlin: 0.20 ppm (range 0.04 to 0.52 ppm) Manglona, William Mossman, Marie Teresa O’Brien, Jerry Aku (Skipjack): 0.23 ppm (range 0.11 to 0.47 ppm) Perez, William Sword (chair); Subsistence: Dale Alvarez, Anthony Anjo, James Borja, Jesus Cabrera, Louie Denolfo, Judy Yellowfin Tuna: 0.31 ppm (range 0.09 to 0.99 ppm) Filiaga, Michael Fleming, Andrew Jones, Kawehi Ryder (chair), Ono: 0.38 ppm (range 0.06 to 0.85 ppm) James Mawae. Alternates: William Bradford, Roberto Cabreza, Albacore: 0.43 ppm (range 0.26 to 0.60 ppm) Timothy Ferrell, Mike House, Clement Kanuha, Brian Mediola, Mary Jane Porter, Steve Vaiau. Bigeye Tuna: 0.47 ppm (range 0.11 to 0.83 ppm) DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ADVISORY PANEL: Judith Opah: 0.73 ppm (range 0.40 to 1.29 ppm) Amesbury, Victoriano April, Mike Fleming, Clement Kanuha,

*Based on Hawaii State Department of Health 2002 analysis. For Henry Pelekai, Henry Sesepasara (chair), Alo Paul Stevenson, all species listed above, the average total mercury content is pri- Estanislao Taisacan. Alternates: Puanani Burgess, Jose Garrido, marily methyl mercury. Colette Machado

Pacific Islands Fishery News 7 Spring 2003 Sea Turtle Symposium Focuses on Workshop Identifies Actions to Reduce Fisheries Interactions, Indigenous Uses Sea Turtle Bycatch he Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle and articipants from 19 countries and four intergovernmen- TConservation convened in Malaysia March 17-21, 2003, was tal organizations participated in the International an historic occasion. It was the first time in 23 years that the Technical Expert Workshop on Marine Turtle Bycatch in Symposium was held outside of the . About 70 P Longline Fisheries, convened Feb. 11-13, 2003, in Seattle. oral presentations and over 170 posters were shared during The workshop objectives were to evaluate existing informa- plenary and breakout sessions. Also held within the auspices of tion on turtle byactch in longline fisheries, to facilitate and the Symposium was a tagging and tracking workshop, a meet- standardize collection of data from longline fisheries that are ing of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature likely to interact with marine turtles, to exchange information (IUCN) Marine Turtle Specialist Group and a session on indige- on experimentation with longline gear relative to turtles and nous cultures and turtles. target species, to identify and consider solutions to reduce tur- Paul Dalzell, senior scientist for the Western Pacific Fishery tle bycatch in longline fisheries and to exchange information Management Council, gave an oral presentation on the and gain a comprehensive understanding of the fishing turtle–longline fishery interactions in the Western Pacific Region. He provided data on the spatial and temporal charac- methodologies and operations of global longline fleets. teristics of turtle takes by the Hawaii longline fishery and out- Six overarching strategies were identified as key elements to lined the measures taken to reduce turtle interactions during address sea turtle bycatch in longline fisheries: improved data 2001. The complete abolition of longline fishing for swordfish, collection and monitoring; regulatory approaches to fishery an April–May seasonal closure south of 15ºN by tuna targeting management; incentives to participate in the development and longliners and other measures reduced interactions and mor- implementation of bycatch reduction measures; modifications talities by up to 95 percent. However, the costs to the fishing of gear and fishing practices; modifying, developing and industry were onerous, with a 40 percent decline in landing implementing multi-lateral agreements; and training, outreach revenues in 2001. and capacity building. The Hawaii and American Samoa longline fisheries com- Specific actions were identified to implement each of these bined amount to less than 5 percent of the total annual num- strategies taking into account the following: local, regional and ber of hooks set in the Pacific, Dalzell noted. Moreover, long- global scales; differences between developed and developing line fleets continue to expand, particularly in Australia, New nations; differences in the biology and vulnerability of sea tur- Zealand, the Pacific Islands and parts of Southeast Asia, such as tle species and stocks; and differences in the characteristics of Vietnam. The potential for further longlining expansion by longline fisheries. Because of the urgency of the sea turtle China is substantial. bycatch issue, both immediate and long-term actions were His presentation concluded with a review of the Council’s considered. Workshop participants prioritized actions to conservation program for turtles. This collaborative effort with implement the six identified strategies. The six highest ranking the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) includes not only actions overall are as follows: mitigation of longline fishery–turtle interaction but also in- ✱ Develop new approaches to time-area closures using real- country activities in various Pacific Islands to identify and man- time spatial management applied to all fleets to reduce age nesting beaches. Dalzell said hook depth appears to be a marine turtle-longline fisheries interactions; critical factor governing interaction rates, with shallow set ✱ Request that the Food and Agriculture hooks appearing most likely to result in interactions. Organization (FAO) convene an intergovernmental technical The indigenous cultures and turtles session included presen- consultation to address the issue of marine turtle bycatch in tations from Costa Rica, Oman, Palau, Puerto Rico and longline fisheries; Venezuela. Jack Frazier illustrated how humans and turtles ✱ have interacted for many millennia and how turtles may have Encourage rapid deployment and implementation of items provided critical food resources for humans. Thus humans may that have shown promise for reducing marine turtle bycatch have had an effect on turtle selection leading to a co-adaptive in shallow swordfish fisheries; relationship and the ostensible “domestication” of sea turtles. ✱ Direct additional and immediate marine turtle bycatch Perran Ross’s presentation on artisanal and subsistence use of reduction research in the major ocean basins to fine tune turtles in Oman suggests that depleted turtle populations if recent findings, taking into account differences among left unmolested may recover faster than was previously species; thought. ✱ Involve industry in discussions regarding bycatch reduction Nicholas Pilcher ably organized the Symposium. Pilcher is strategies as early as possible; and currently based with the Community Conservation Network in ✱ Identify and secure funding to accomplish these actions. Palau, but has previously worked in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Taken together these actions constitute an initial policy approach for immediate action given the urgency of the need to reduce marine turtle bycatch and mortality in longline fisheries.

Pacific Islands Fishery News 8 Spring 2003 Group Works to Reduce Sea Turtle–Fisheries Interactions uring January 2003, the Sea Turtle–Pelagic Fish Sensory Juvenile loggerhead turtles maintained in semi-wild condi- DBiology Working Group gathered at the National Marine tions actively fled a model shark once they approached close Fisheries Service (NMFS) Honolulu Laboratory to discuss the enough to clearly see it. The turtles instinctively took flight in results of projects funded by the lab over the past two years. apparent panic of the shark model even though they had been The aim of the group is to identify specific differences in the reared in captivity since they were hatchlings and had never visual, olfactory and auditory senses of pelagic fishes and sea seen a live shark. (Ben Higgins, NMFS-Sea Turtle Facility, turtles that could be exploited to make longline fishing gear Galveston, Texas) less attractive (or actively repulsive) to sea turtles. Among the Sea turtles have only a few dozen functional odor receptors findings reported were the following: (ORs). The number of ORs is directly related to an animal’s abil- ity to smell. Dogs, whose sense of smell is highly developed, have several thousand functional ORs. Surprisingly, sea turtle’s ORs are of a type land animals use to detect airborne odors, rather than the type fish use to detect waterborne odors. (Dick Vogt, University of South Carolina) Both sea turtles and hear only at low frequencies, and they do not hear very well. Their hearing abilities were measured using a clinical-based system originally developed to diagnose brain dysfunction in humans. Based on the results, the working group concluded that auditory stimuli (e.g., pingers)—which have been used successfully to keep marine mammals from becoming entangled in nets—are not likely to be useful to keep turtles away from longline gear. (Soraya Moen Bartol) Richard Brill and Swimmer, with the assistance of Lianne Mailloux, hosted the meeting. Besides the principal investiga- Juvenile Kemp’s ridley turtles were attracted to untreated squid but tors from the various projects, the group also included industry avoided the blue-colored food items. representatives as well as NMFS and Western Pacific Fishery Swordfish and tuna can see only shades of blue and green. Management Council staff. According to electrophysiological and anatomical experiments conducted by the researchers, both species have only one visual (i.e., light absorbing) pigment in their retinas. (Kirsten Fritsches, University of Queensland, Australia, and Eric Warrant, University of Lund, Sweden) Turtles have “faster” eyes that targeted fish species. Hence, a rapidly blinking light would appear continuous to tunas and billfishes, yet appear flashing (and potentially bothersome) to turtles. A bright rapidly flashing red-orange light could be highly visible and a potential deterrent to sea turtles, yet it would be nearly invisible to fish. (Fritsches and Warrant) Sea turtles not only see faster than targeted fish species, they also discriminate colors better because they see farther into the red-orange range. Sea turtle vision, however, does not cover the full spectrum visible to humans. (Scott Eckert, Hubbs Sea World Research Institute; Dave Levenson, Scripps Institution of ; and Michael Crognale,University of Nevada, Reno) This system is used to measure the attractiveness of chemical light Captive green and loggerhead sea turtles can be attracted sticks to turtles. So far, turtles have been shown to swim towards to, or repelled from, food items based on color alone. Squid blue, green and yellow chemical light sticks. dyed dark blue are avoided, even though the turtles will readi- ly attack an undyed squid hanging immediately next to it. Red food items are preferred over untreated foods. Surprisingly, tests indicate that blue-dyed squid is ineffective at reducing turtle catch in the Atlantic swordfish longline fishery. (Yonat Swimmer, NMFS Honolulu Laboratory)

Pacific Islands Fishery News 9 Spring 2003 NMFS Establishes New Pacific Islands Region

n April 21, 2003, the “This is a win-win development National Marine Fisheries for everyone involved,” said Dr. Bill Service (NMFS, also Hogarth, NOAA Fisheries Assistant O Administrator. “We now have the known as NOAA Fisheries) estab- lished a new region in the Western benefit of having a regional office Pacific to provide better customer and science center closer to our service and ecosystem management constituents and the marine of resources within the expansive resources we manage.” area of the Pacific islands. The new Pacific Islands Region The new Pacific Islands includes the largest geographical Regional Office (PIRO) and Pacific Acting Pacific Islands area of all US regions. Bounded by Regional Administrator PIFSC Acting Director Jeffrey Islands Center the Hawaiian Archipelago in the Samuel G. Pooley, has north, American Samoa and US pos- J. Polovina, has worked in (PIFSC) were elevated in organiza- worked at the NMFS varying capacities at the tional status from a local area and Honolulu Laboratory since sessions in the south, and the NMFS Honolulu Laboratory laboratory, respectively. The action 1981. He has headed the Marianas Archipelago in the west, since 1979. For the past Fishery Management and decade, he has been chief will allow NOAA Fisheries to better the total area of the exclusive eco- Performance Investigation nomic zone (EEZ) under PIRO of Ecosystem and Environ- address the unique and growing since 1987. ment Investigation. importance of living marine jurisdiction is more than 1.7 million resources to constituents in the US Pacific Islands. square nautical miles, which is equal to the total EEZ of the The implementation of the new region marks the culmina- entire US mainland (including ). The PIRO will carry tion of much effort by the Western Pacific Fishery out living marine resources conservation and management Management Council to place the US Pacific Islands on an responsibilities assigned to NOAA Fisheries in the Central and equal footing with other administrative regions in the United Western Pacific and will have a structure similar to other States (Alaska, Northwest, Southwest, Southeast and regions, with three major operational divisions: sustainable fish- Northwest). Until recently, the US Pacific Islands were incor- eries, protected resources and habitat conservation. porated within the Southwest Region, which also includes The PIFSC will retain its existing structure with five California. The Southwest Regional Office and Science Center research divisions (coral reef ecosystems, fish biology and ecol- are based in Long Beach and , respectively, and all ogy, ecosystems and environment, protected species, and fish- management decisions relating to the US Pacific Islands were ery management and performance). The PIFSC’s responsibility transmitted through these offices prior to being forwarded to will be to provide high-quality scientific research and advice NMFS headquarters in Washington, DC. for fisheries management and conservation and for the recov- The Pacific Islands Region has now been ‘liberated’ from ery of protected species throughout the Pacific Islands Region. its ties with the US West Coast and will liaise and report The PIFSC’s current staff of 168 is expected to increase by 17 directly to NMFS headquarters," Council Executive Director to handle its increased responsibilities. Kitty M. Simonds stated. "More of the decisions that may The PIRO and the PIFSC will be included in an effort to affect fisheries in the US Pacific Islands will be made internally consolidate all NOAA offices in the Pacific. Plans to establish within the region.” a NOAA campus where all NOAA offices will reside are in the early planning stages.

NMFS Endorses Circle Hooks he National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) recently of 1999 evaluated the performance of circle and J hooks on published a Federal Register notice in which it officially Atlantic and Pacific sailfish and, to a lesser extent, Pacific Tendorses the use of circle hooks in recreational fisheries blue marlin. targeting big gamefish. Studies have shown that the use of Circle hooks used on sailfish had hooking percentages (i.e., circle hooks promotes conservation in recreational highly fish hooked/fish bite) that were 1.83 times higher compared migratory fisheries by helping reduce bycatch while increas- with J hooks. Additionally the study indicated that circle ing catch rates and lowering post-release mortality. hooks reduce deep hooking and promote the live release of NMFS has been studying the efficacy of circle hooks for species. More sailfish were hooked in the corner of the mouth many years and has supported training and outreach efforts using circle hooks (85 percent) than J hooks (27 percent), and in proper baiting and hooking techniques since the mid- fewer were deep hooked in the throat and stomach with cir- 1990s. A study conducted by NMFS in the spring and summer cle hooks (2 percent) compared with J hooks (46 percent).

Pacific Islands Fishery News 10 Spring 2003 Western Pacific Least Overfished Region Hafa Adai and Si Yuus Maa¯se misprint in the NOAA Fisheries 2001 Report lists the Western Pacific Region (now the Pacific Islands Region) by Judith Paulette Guthertz as having 11 overfished stocks in 2001. In reality, the epresenting Guam as a member of the Western A Pacific Fishery Management Council has been an only overfished stock in the Pacific Islands Region is the armorhead. This Northwestern Hawaiian Islands fishery was Rhonor and experience I shall never forget. overexploited by foreign fleets prior to the establishment of the Beginning with my first official day as a Council member Western Pacific Fishery Management Council in 1976 and has in 1997, I easily detected the excellence that accompanies not recovered. The Council has asked NMFS to publish an the work of the Council in every- errata sheet to correct this and other mistakes in the report. thing it does. What makes this all According to the report, there were 16 overfished stocks in possible is the continuing high the Northeast, 25 in the Southeast, seven in the West Coast level of commitment towards sus- and two in Alaska. tainable fisheries jointly demon- strated by the Council members and staff. New Fisheries Survey Vessel Based in The work of the Council and Honolulu staff is exciting and impacts the former Navy ship was commissioned into the NOAA well being of all of the people, Aresearch fleet in January in Honolulu. The Oscar Elton marine environment and fishing Sette will be working to assess and protect the Pacific Islands communities in American Samoa, Region’s fisheries and living marine resources. Hawaii, the Northern Marianas and Guam. “Not only are we greatly expanding our observation and Although all of these areas are part of the Pacific research potential, but we’re continuing in the gradual trend Islands Region and proudly fly the US flag, they each have of revitalizing the NOAA fleet,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. their own unique marine, environmental and fishery chal- Conrad C. Lautenbacher, NOAA Administrator and lenges. They are also greatly influenced by the heightened Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. expectations of their citizens that come with progress and “With each new or development within unique social and economic environ- refurbished addi- ments characterized by the indigenous and diverse cultures tion to the NOAA and traditions of each island area. fleet we become The work of the Council and staff is science and data more efficient at driven. Council decisions impacting the region are based supporting the upon the best possible science and data available. The NOAA mission. The Council works closely with its Scientific and Statistical Sette has a longer Committee, Plan Teams, Advisory Panels and various range, enhanced Council-sponsored task forces in evaluating the science stability and better boat-handling and and data that go hand in hand with Council work. a larger suite of sci- As a Pacific Islander raised on Guam, it has been my pleasure to work with my colleagues on the Council and entific labs than Ret. Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, most other research NOAA Administrator and Undersecretary of with the Council staff. I have come to know them well, vessels.” Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, with and I respect their work. I have had the unique opportuni- Oscar Elton Kitty M. Simonds, executive director, Western ty to help develop public policies impacting the lives of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, at the people in the region. In the process of doing this work, I Sette’s home port is commissioning of the new NOAA research ves- Honolulu. It will sel Oscar Elton Sette in Honolulu. have learned much along the way. I am very grateful to the conduct fisheries people of Guam and to the US Secretary of Commerce for assessment surveys, physical and chemical oceanography, coral having had this unique and rare opportunity. reef research and marine mammal projects to continue the As I prepare to leave the Council as the chairperson and work of the recently decommissioned, 39-year-old Townsend as a member from Guam, I want to extend my sincere Cromwell. heartfelt appreciation to the Council family and to all those NOAA Corps Cmdr. Kenneth W. Barton commands the Oscar with whom I have come in contact along the way. The Elton Sette. Five NOAA Corps officers, three licensed engineers work of the Council is important work. I will always be and 13 mariners crew the 224-foot vessel, which carries up to available to assist the Council in any way I can. 12 scientists.

Pacific Islands Fishery News 11 Spring 2003 COUNCIL CALENDAR MAY 13–15 Marine Fisheries Advisory JUNE 14–19 17th Standing Committee meeting, San 5 US Coast Guard Ocean 6–7 Council Advisory Panel Committee on Tuna and Francisco Guardian Revalidation meeting, Honolulu Billfish, Mooloolaba, Brisbane, Australia Listening Session, Council 13–16 Northwestern Hawaiian 10-11 NOAA Fisheries 2003 conference room, Islands Science Constituent Session, 23–August 2 Honolulu Workshop, Honolulu Honolulu Leadership Seminar for 13–16 54th Tuna Conference, Senior Fisheries 5–9 Western and Central 10–13 118th Council Meeting, Pacific Fishery Lake Arrowhead, Calif. Managers, East-West Honolulu Center, Honolulu Management 19–21 IATTC Stock Assessment 17–28 IATTC/AIDCP meetings, Commission, PrepCon IV, Working Group meeting, AUGUST Antigua, Guatemala Nadi, Fiji La Jolla, Calif. 18–20 Coral reef, climate, coral 10–14 American Fisheries 6–8 83rd Scientific and 26–29 Council Chairmen and bleaching workshop, Society meeting, Statistical Committee Executive Directors Turtle Bay, Hawaii Quebec City, Quebec, meeting, Council confer- meeting, Virgin Islands ence room, Honolulu JULY 18–22 3rd SPC Heads of 13–17 Coastal Zone ’03, Fisheries meeting, New Baltimore, Md. Caledonia

Western Pacific Recipe Shoyu Poke PREPARATION INGREDIENTS Cube fish to desired size. Combine with ginger and shoyu. 1 ⁄2 pound fresh fish (aku, ahi, marlin, etc.) Let stand in refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Combine with 1 tsp finely chopped ginger onions and pepper flakes (if desired). Serve cold as an 1 ⁄2 cup shoyu (soy sauce) appetizer. Serves 4.

1 round onion, quartered and sliced Courtesy of Hawaii Fishing News. 1 to 2 stalks green onion chopped chili pepper flakes, optional

Western Pacific Fishery Management Council 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 USA