The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC) has authorized the mandatory installation of electronic monitoring systems on all "longline" vessels engaged in commercial-scale fishing in Hawaii and American Samoa.
WPRFMC made this decision because financial constraints have made it difficult to employ paid observers, leading to a decline in observer numbers. The council deemed it important to use an electronic monitoring system to effectively monitor fishing activities and ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
According to the WPRFMC's decision, this system must be installed on 161 vessels operating in Hawaii and American Samoa by the end of 2027. Until the equipment is installed on all these vessels, it has been decided to randomly select vessels and install the equipment on them.
WPRFMC considers this a very important matter and has secured funding to install these facilities and cover the administrative costs of running the program until 2027. WPRFMC stated that vessel owners will not have to bear the costs of implementing the electronic monitoring system. Furthermore, WPRFMC council members have proposed that the federal government should bear the costs of running the electronic monitoring program after 2027.
"Whether it's a human observer program or EM, this is a federal mandate. Right now, we are discussing an unfunded mandate. We have heard that the American Samoa longline fleet has been facing difficulties in recent years. Therefore, it is very difficult to support the industry paying for this. We believe this should remain a federal government responsibility after 2027," said Archie Soliai, the Council's American Samoa Vice Chair.
WPRFMC stated that if the federal government does not step in, vessel owners may have to pay for cameras that need to be replaced every three years and for basic maintenance of the system. WPRFMC has instructed its staff to hold workshops to raise awareness about these facilities and to work with NOAA Fisheries and vessel operators on vessel monitoring plans. The council has also stipulated that new training be provided to ensure longline vessel crews know how to successfully handle and release protected species.
The Hawaii Longline Association has expressed support for the WPRFMC's decision. In a statement, the association said it supports the mandate to install the electronic monitoring system, but if WPRFMC does not cover the costs, vessels currently operating in the industry will not be able to do so. This is because it would be difficult for vessel owners to incur such a large expense at this time.
Some in the fishing industry have said that establishing an electronic monitoring system and sustainably monitoring and maintaining the equipment is a difficult task. However, they also believe that it will bring conveniences to all parties.
