Public Community Consultation
Voices of Pacific Islands Fishing Communities
Our Sea People have a story to tell. They are fishers and navigators who live by these resources, and rely on our marine resources for their everyday livelihoods.
PIFG is underway to meet with community members in support to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s initiative and mandate to engage, listen, and work within the communities of the Pacific Islands Region.
As part of the Community Consultation effort, PIFG will facilitate 68 meetings from 2025-2027 with fishers to hear about their observations of the marine ecosystem, challenges, regulation, barriers, and more to help guide the Council’s decision-making and priority list.
The community has shared challenges ranging from fish decline in nearshore waters, increased shark depredation, marine protected areas limiting access to traditional fishing practices, seasons being off from traditional knowledge, military expansion, and changes within the ecosystem.
Meeting with fishers & community members from Tutuila, American Samoa June 27, 2025
Meeting with fishers & community members from Wai’anae, Hawai’i April 2025
Meeting with fishers & community members from Kauai, Hawai’i April 2025
Meeting with the Mayor and community members 3/4/2025 Dededo, Guam
Meeting with the Saipan community and staff from the Department of Land and Natural Resources members 2/28/2025 Saipan, CNMI
Meeting with community member in Kailua, Kona 3/13/2025 Kona, Hawai’i
This project is made possible under the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council Contract 25-IRA-001.
For more information or to get involved, contact Pacificfisheries@gmail.com