The council’s 100th Scientific and Statistical Committee began its 10-day meeting at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium in Pago Pago.
It will be the council’s second meeting this year.
Department of Land and Natural Resources Secretary Ignacio Dela Cruz, CNMI Wespac member Benigno Sablan and CNMI council coordinator Jack Ogumoro will be leaving tomorrow to join the meeting and participate in the discussions, especially on the marine monument regulations.
Dela Cruz said the council will tackle annual catch limits, the identification of marine conservation areas, recreational fishing in protected areas, Wespac’s conservation plans, purse seine use, and quota for big eye tuna caught through long line.
The council will likewise discuss fisheries development in American Samoa and the surrounding region as well as identify opportunities and obstacles.
Wespac is the policy-making agency of fisheries management in offshore waters around Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the CNMI and other Pacific remote areas.
Many of its members had opposed the creation of the marine monument in the Marianas which was approved by the White House early this year.
