Posted 04/29/2013 (Environment Hawai`i editor Patricia Tummons has been reporting on Wespac since 1994. This commentary reflects her personal view.) Enough is enough. Enough “complimentary” upgrades to swank hotel suites and first-class cabins. The bills may not reflect it, but someone … Continued
Posted 3/29/13 An error in the Commerce Appropriations Act for 2013 could curb the catch of bigeye tuna by Hawai`i-based longline vessels just as the high-demand holiday season starts up. As readers of Environment Hawai`i may recall, in November 2011, … Continued
Posted 11/02/2012 Two conservation groups are suing the National Marine Fisheries Service, challenging its new rule expanding the number of loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles that may be taken by the Hawai`i swordfish fishery. The complaint seeks both injunctive relief … Continued
Posted 09/18/2012 The National Marine Fisheries Service has announced it is accepting further public comment on a petition to list the Hawai`i insular population of false killer whales as a distinct population segment eligible for protection under the Endangered Species Act. … Continued
Posted 08/29/2012 Kitty Simonds, executive director of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, says she is “girding [her] loincloth” and “sharpening [her] spears” in an effort to get the federal government to consult with a new group she’s helped to form. … Continued
Posted 08/24/2012 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a permit authorizing the Hawai`i longline swordfish fleet to take seabirds. The permit is the first of its kind ever issued by the agency under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. … Continued
Posted 05/24/2012 Earthjustice is suing the National Marine Fisheries Service over the agency’s foot-dragging in protecting false killer whales from Hawai`i-based longline fishing vessels. NMFS’ own studies show that the whales are being hooked, injured, and even killed by … Continued
Posted 05/21/2012 Just days before the NRDC lawsuit, NMFS released its most recent stock assessment reports (SARs) for marine mammals, including those in the Pacific that interact with Hawai`i-based fisheries. At the same time, it responded to the several comments … Continued
Posted 04/09/2012 Kitty Simonds, executive director of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, has made little secret of her wish to see the protected status of the green sea turtle removed. This legislative session, she found an ally in Rep. … Continued
Posted 11/18/2011 November 18 brought a double whammy to the longline vessels operating out of Honolulu. The National Marine Fisheries Service announced that, beginning November 27, Hawai`i longline vessels will no longer be allowed to fish for bigeye tuna in … Continued