Prohibition on fishing for pelagic management unit species within closed areas around the islands of American Samoa by vessels more than 50 feet in length

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

The entry of new large US vessels (> 50 ft overall length) into the pelagics fishery in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around American Samoa could conflict with objectives of the Council's management plan for pelagic fisheries (FMP) by 1) failing to achieve optimum yield, as defined in the FMP; 2) creating gear conflicts, particularly in areas of concentrated fishing; and 3) reducing the opportunities for (a) profitable fishing operations; (b) traditional fishing practices for non-market personal consumption and cultural benefits; and (c) satisfying recreational fishing experiences. The nature and extent of interactions between large (> 50 ft overall length) and smallscale vessels (< 50 ft overall length) fishing for pelagic species in the EEZ around American Samoa are not clearly understood. The information available suggests that an increase in the number of large vessels fishing in the same areas as the small-scale fleet could reduce pelagic fish densities and catch rates. Gear conflicts could also arise between large and small pelagic fishing vessels. The potential for interactions between large and small vessels is increasing because (a) the fishing range of the small-scale fishery is expanding offshore with the addition of new and safer types of boats; and (b) up to 40 large vessels previously based in Hawaii are seeking new home ports in the Pacific after a US court order in August 2000 almost completely closed the central North Pacific longline fishery for swordfish to vessels with Hawaii longline limited entry permits. The proposed action would maintain the potential for economically viable catch rates in the small-scale fishery and would help to avoid gear conflicts. This will provide for sustained community participation in the small-scale pelagic fishery, not only to produce food, income and employment, but also to contribute to the perpetuation of Samoan culture. A significant reduction in the supply of fish would be potentially ruinous to the community, which depends on fisheries resources for cultural continuity, as well as for economic development. Local overfishing, economic overfishing and/or gear conflict could occur in the EEZ around American Samoa if the overall size of the longline fleet becomes excessive. Measures to restrict the total number of vessels in the fishery, such as a license limitation system, may be necessary in the future to control such problems. Such controls would be considered "new management measures" under the FMP's framework procedure for adaptive management. In anticipation of possibly creating a limited access system, the Council and NMFS established a control date of July 15, 2000, after which the owner of any size vessel entering the fishery will not be assured of being allowed to use longline gear to fish for pelagic management unit species in the EEZ around American Samoa. The control date places the owners of longline vessels of any size on notice that they might be excluded if they entered the fishery after this date.

Prohibition on fishing for pelagic management unit species within closed areas around the islands of American Samoa by vessels more than 50 feet in length

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