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.
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.
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