Fishing Regulations and the Sanctuary Designation Process

The National Marine Sanctuary Program has begun the process to designate the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve (Reserve) as a National Marine Sanctuary. The primary purpose of the proposed designation is to conserve, protect, and enhance the biodiversity, ecological integrity, and historic and cultural legacy of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) marine ecosystems. This will be realized by working closely with federal, state, and local agencies, the Reserve Advisory Council, Native Hawaiians, stakeholders, and the public.

The major steps in designation include public scoping, issue characterization, and the development of a draft environmental impact statement and management plan (DEIS/MP). The development of fishing regulations is part of this process.

The Process

As part of the sanctuary designation process, pursuant to section 304(a)(5) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA), the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (WPFMC) has an opportunity to draft fishing regulations for the proposed sanctuary, using guidance provided by the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP). The draft fishing regulations must be consistent with the goals and objectives of the proposed sanctuary.

NMSP recommendations for fishing in the proposed sanctuary were provided to WPFMC on September 20, 2004, providing them 120 days as specified by law. These recommendations were developed based on a year-long effort to draft reports, conduct research, review relevant literature, conduct interviews, and consolidate information.

The analysis was formed through multiple meetings and interviews with scientists and managers representing partner agencies, University of Hawaii, and various non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as a review of numerous data sources, reports, and published literature regarding the resources of the NWHI.

Fishing discussion groups were held as part of the background research conducted in 2003 by Sustainable Resources Group International, Inc. (SRG). These fishing discussion groups, assembled to assess fishing activity in the region, involved more than 50 participants from government agencies, the Reserve Advisory Council, commercial fishers, researchers, Native Hawaiian practitioners, and NGOs.

You can download the NMSP recommendations and advice document here (large document, pdf format, 4 MB). Please note that there are 8 large (11" x 17") maps in the pdf document and in order to print the document correctly you will need to set the Page Scaling Option under the Print menu in Adobe Acrobat to "Shrink Large Pages."

On April 14, 2005 the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council submitted their recommended draft fishing regulations for the proposed NWHI national marine sanctuary to NOAA, the NMSP and the Reserve. A Pdf of the document titled “Recommendation of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPFMC) Regarding the Management of Fisheries Within the Proposed Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary,” including supporting documentation, is posted online at http://www.wpcouncil.org.

NOAA reviewed the draft fishing regulations and found that WPFMC’s recommendation does not fulfill the purposes and policies of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and goals and objectives of the proposed NWHI sanctuary. This finding was issued on October 24, 2005 in a document entitled “Finding on the Recommendation of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council Regarding the Management of Fisheries within the Proposed Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary.” The finding only speaks to whether WPFMC’s submission meets the proposed sanctuary’s goals and objectives, not the nature or scope of NEPA alternatives nor does it presume to judge whether fishing will continue within the proposed sanctuary.

This finding concludes the NMSA 304(a)(5) process. As a result, NOAA will prepare the draft fishing regulations for the proposed sanctuary. All regulations related to commercial fishing in the NWHI would be developed in a manner consistent with the purposes and policies of NMSA and the goals and objectives of the proposed sanctuary.

Finding on the Recommendations of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council Regarding the Management of Fisheries within the Proposed NWHI National Marine Sanctuary (pdf, 1MB)

Cover letter for findings document above (pdf 56K)

Advice and recommendations for development of draft fishing regulations under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act 304(a)(5) for the proposed Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary (pdf 4MB)

More information

For more information about the Northwestern Hawaiian islands, the sanctuary designation process, or how you can become involved, continue to browse this website, or contact the Reserve office at (808) 397-2660.