HONOLULU (20 March 2026)
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council announced its intentions to allow U.S. fishermen to fish in U.S. Pacific Federally Managed Marine Protected Areas at its 206th meeting this week.
On April 17, 2025, President Donald Trump issued Presidential Proclamation 10918,
“Unleashing American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific,” in which the President found that
“managed commercial fishing would not put objects of scientific and historic interest within the
PRIMNM at risk” and that “a prohibition on commercial fishing is not, at this time, necessary for
the proper care and management of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument
(PRIMNM, since changed to Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument via
Presidential Memorandum January 2, 2025) or the objects of historic or scientific interest
therein.” The Proclamation states that the Secretary of Commerce shall not prohibit commercial
fishing within 50-200 nm of the boundaries of the monument. It also directs the Secretary of
Commerce, through NOAA, to expeditiously publish new proposed rules in the Federal Register.
The first action concerns the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument expansion area around Wake and Jarvis Islands, and Johnston Atoll. The Council will take final action on managing commercial fishing from 50-to-200 nm following the Presidential Proclamation. The Proclamation directed the Secretary of Commerce to revise regulations to allow appropriately managed U.S. commercial fishing in those waters. U.S. longline and purse seine vessels would be allowed to fish in these areas following strict federal fishery requirements. These include permits, catch limits, gear restrictions, logbooks and observer coverage for monitoring catch. It also is directed to document protected species interactions, and require vessel monitoring systems for enforcing closed areas.
Additionally, A directive that removes the commercial fishing prohibitions would require the Council to
consider the current fisheries management framework for the Marianas Trench (MTMNM),
Papahānaumokuākea (PMNM), and Rose Atoll Marine National Monuments (RAMNM) under
the authorities of the MSA. A restoration of commercial fishing would necessitate the removal of
current commercial fishing prohibitions in the area through an amendment to the Council’s
Fishery Ecosystem Plans (FEPs). The Council may also review existing fishing regulations for
the area and provide updated management measures that reflect the current and potential fishing
in the area.
Due to a proclamation by President Trump America’s largest and most pristine reefs and waters are at risk to commercial fishing.
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The Council will also consider recommendations restoring regulated commercial fishing access under existing Magnuson-Stevens Act authorities as requested by the EO.
In making its decisions, the Council will determine the impacts of the alternatives on the affected environment, and consider recommendations from industry and science advisory bodies. It will also receive comments from the public. Please add your comments above, contact your representative and support these marine protected areas, preserving marine habitat and wildlife for the future.