After hearing roughly 70 public comments, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WESPAC) has taken final action to restore commercial fishing access across several U.S. Pacific marine national monuments– marking a significant shift for fleets that have operated under long-standing closures.
The Council voted at its 206th meeting to recommend reopening portions of the Pacific Islands Heritage, Rose Atoll, Marinas Trench, and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monuments to federally managed commercial fisheries.
“This is not about removing monument protections – it’s about restoring sustainable fishing in limited areas under fishery regulations the Council has developed over decades,” said Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds. “Those regulations were built to balance access and conservation, and that remains the Council’s guiding principle under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.”
Under the commendation, commercial fishing would be allowed between 50 and 200 nautical miles around Jarvis and Wake Islands and Johnston Atoll within the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, while nearshore waters would remain closed. Additional openings include 12 to 50 nautical miles at Rose Atoll, 0 to 50 nautical miles in the Marianas Trench Islands Unit, and limited areas in Papahānaumokuākea for bottomfish and pelagic fisheries.
Council leaders and members emphasized that fishing activity would remain subject to strict federal oversight, including permits, reporting requirements, gear restrictions, catch limits, and protected species safeguards.
“This action does not remove the monument; it supports local fishermen, the cannery and the small businesses that depend on a viable fishing economy,” said Council Chair Nathan Ilaoa.
Supporters of the move pointed to economic pressures on island fleets, food security concerns, and the reliance on imported seafood if domestic production continues to shrink.
“If we don’t support our commercial fisheries, we will continue to eat fish from foreign countries,” said Guam Council member Chelsa Muna. “They are not subject to the same regulatory regimes as U.S. fishers.”
Still, the proposal drew opposition from some stakeholders who raised concerns about impacts to protected species, ecosystems, and the cultural significance of monument areas– particularly in Papahānaumokuākea.
The Council’s recommendations will now move forward through the federal process. Changes to the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine Monument will be reviewed by NOAA Fisheries, while actions affecting Rose Atoll, Marianas Trench, and Papahānaumokuākea will require presidential follow-up tied to Executive Order 14276, “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.”
