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Vol. 6 (2): December 2003
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PLUNDERING THE PACIFIC

Paul Koberstein

Editor of Cascadia Times


Who runs the Pacific Ocean?


The 1996 Magnuson-Stevens Act established eight regional councils, including three in the Pacific, comprised of “individuals who, by reason of their occupational or other experience, scientific expertise, or training, are knowledgeable regarding conservation and management, or the commercial or recreational harvest, of the fishery resources of the geographical area concerned.”

Among the 38 members of the three councils that govern the Pacific, 22 represent commercial or recreational fishing interests, or about 58 percent. Another 15 represent state, federal or tribal agencies. The law does not require any of the members to represent conservation interests, and none do.


Western Pacific
Fishery Management Council

Pacific
Fishery Management Council

North Pacific
Fishery Management Council

Headquarters: Honolulu, Hawai‘i

Headquarters: Portland, Oregon

Headquarters: Anchorage, Alaska

Jurisdiction: 200 miles surrounding Hawai‘i, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands; and Palmyra Atoll, Kingman Reef and Midway, Johnston,Wake, Jarvis, Howland and Baker Islands; high seas

Jurisdiction: 200 miles off California, Oregon and Washington; high seas

Jurisdiction: 200 miles off Alaska in the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea; high seas

VOTING MEMBERS:
Of 13 council members, 8 represent commercial or recreational fishing.

VOTING MEMBERS:
Of 14 council members, 8 represent commercial or recreational fishing.

VOTING MEMBERS:
Of 11 council members, 6 represent commercial fishing.

pie chart pie chart pie chart

box Federal: 1 member
box Commercial Fishing: 4 members
box Recreational Fishing: 4 members
box State: 4 members

box Federal: 1 member
box Commercial Fishing: 2 members
box Recreational Fishing: 6 members
box State: 4 members
box Tribal: 1 member

box Federal: 1 member
box Commercial Fishing: 6 members
box State: 3 members
box Other: 1 member

Note: State members are from Hawai‘i, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Note: State members are from California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

Note: State members are from Alaska, Washington and Oregon.

spiny lobster shortspine thornyhead pollock



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Copyright © 2003 Paul Koberstein, Cascadia Times. The Monachus Guardian. All Rights Reserved