Honolulu — Scientists will convene in Hawaii this week to discuss and make recommendations on federally managed fisheries of Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the US Pacific Remote Islands.
The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will hold its 130th meeting from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 15 to 17, at the Naniloa Hotel Double Tree by Hilton in Hilo.
Among the key agenda items is the specification of acceptable biological catches for the Hawaii bottomfish known locally as uku or grey snapper (Aprion virescens), Hawaii deep-water shrimp and Hawaii precious corals for fishing year 2019 to 2021.
The SSC will also consider specifying acceptable biological catches for Hawaii Kona crab and for bottomfish in American Samoa, Guam and the CNMI for fishing year 2019.
The Council will take into account the SSC specifications when it discusses annual catch limits (ACLs) for these species. ACLs can be equal to or lower than the annual biological catches set by the SSC, depending on scientific and management uncertainties. The council is scheduled to meet Oct. 23 and 24 in Saipan, CNMI, and Oct. 26 and 27 in Guam.
Among the other items the SSC will discuss and on which it may make recommendations are mandatory electronic reporting for the Hawaii longline fishery and management of loggerhead and leatherback sea turtle interactions in the Hawaii-based shallow-set longline fishery.
For complete agendas and background materials on these meetings, go to www.wpcouncil.org/category/upcoming-council-and-advisory-body-meetings or contact the Council at info.wpcouncil@noaa.gov or (808) 522-8220.