Fisher Observations

Learning from the past - shaping the future

Upcoming Meeting dates and times for 2025 Fisher Observation: American Samoa, Marianas, Hawaii.

Pacific Islands Fisheries Group since 2019 has helped lead fishers observations - a way for fishers to share their relationship with the oceans that year to share observations, changes, and on-the-water experience that directly ties to the annual Stock Assessment & Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report for each island area, ensuring fishers observations are entered into the record for the stock assessment of important species such as Deep 7 Bottomfish and Pelagic species.

This is an opportunity for fishers to share what they see, what changes they experienced, and what they think is important for managers and scientist to ensure is considered when making stock assessments on critical fisheries to all of us. By participating and sharing your observations, the fishing community is doing it’s part to ensure that the science is grounded in real data from the fishing community.

Fishers Observations is rooted in traditional wisdom of observing and discussing the health, changes, and knowledge of the fisheries among fishers. We carry on that tradition and help perpetuate and support our fishermen and communities through our participation.

Link to the 2024 Fisher Observation Report by NOAA.

For more information on the process and how this feeds into fisheries management, please contact PIFG Staff at pacificfisheries@gmail.com