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U.S. National Report and Data Submissions to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center provides U.S. fisheries catch data to the Commission annually.

Pacific Islands

Table of Contents

The United States has been a member of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission since 2007. All cooperating members and non-members (CCMs) of the Commission have data reporting requirements. The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center provides the U.S. reports to the Commission annually. All CCMs must complete Part 1 - Information on Fisheries, Research and Statistics of the WCPFC Annual Report, composed of CAT I and CAT II data.

Part 1 provides relevant information to the Commission on fishing activities of members and cooperating non-CCMs, including management and compliance issues. The report is designed to include all fishing activities for highly migratory species being undertaken within the Convention Area as required by the Convention and decisions by the Commission. Part 1 is due one-month prior to the annual regular session of the WCPFC Scientific Committee.

The Part 1 report includes estimates of annual catches and number of vessels (defined as CAT I data) and catch and effort data aggregated by time period and geographic area (defined as CAT II data).

2017

U.S. Annual Report to the Commission

Part 1: Information on Fisheries, Research, and Statistics

2016

U.S. Annual Report to the Commission

Part 1: Information on Fisheries, Research, and Statistics

U.S. CAT I Data Submissions 

Table 1. Annual catch (mt) of the United States and the Participating Territories (American Samoa, Guam, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) by species and gear in the WCPFC Statistical Area, 2016 (preliminary).  
Species and FAO code Purse seine Longline Albacore troll Tropical troll Handline Total
Albacore (ALB), North Pacific   244   1 31 275
Albacore (ALB), South Pacific   1,558 145     1,703
Bigeye tuna (BET) 4,705 6,270   34 183 11,192
Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF)   1 0     1
Skipjack tuna (SKJ) 177,385 259   405 5 178,054
Yellowfin tuna (YFT) 17,992 1,469   528 264 20,253
Other tuna (TUN KAW FRI)   0   6 1 7
TOTAL TUNAS 200,082 9,801 145 975 484 211,486
 
Black marlin (BLM)   1   3   4
Blue marlin (BUM)   517   157 2 676
Sailfish (SFA)   20   2   22
Spearfish (SSP)   281   16   297
Striped marlin (MLS), North Pacific   329   12   341
Striped marlin (MLS), South Pacific   2       2
Other marlins (BIL)   1       1
Swordfish (SWO), North Pacific   638     4 642
Swordfish (SWO), South Pacific   7       7
TOTAL BILLFISHES   1,796   190 6 1,992
 
Blue shark (BSH)   1       1
Mako shark (MAK)   46       46
Thresher sharks (THR)   4       4
Other sharks (SKH OCS FAL SPN TIG CCL)   0   1   1
TOTAL SHARKS   51   1   52
 
Mahimahi (DOL)   234   361 9 604
Moonfish (LAP)   380       380
Oilfish (GEP)   190   0   190
Pomfrets (BRZ)   386   1 16 402
Wahoo (WAH)   407   145 5 558
Other fish (PEL PLS MOP TRX GBA ALX GES RRU DOT)   9   2   11
TOTAL OTHER   1,606   508 30 2,145
 
TOTAL 200,082 13,254 145 1,674 520 215,674
  • Purse seine - Catch estimates are from vessel unloading data reported by captains.
  • Pole & Line estimates for 2016 were not provided since they are confidential; only 2 vessels fished in 2016.
  • Purse seine estimates have not been adjusted for species composition.

 

2015

U.S. Annual Report to the Commission

Part 1: Information on Fisheries, Research, and Statistics

U.S. CAT I Data Submissions 

Table 1. Annual catch (mt) of the United States and the Participating Territories (American Samoa, Guam, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) by species and gear in the WCPFC Statistical Area, in calendar year 2015 (updated).  
Species and FAO code Purse seine Longline Albacore troll Tropical troll Handline Total
Albacore (ALB), North Pacific   217 0 2 62 281
Albacore (ALB), South Pacific   1,855 156     2,011
Bigeye tuna (BET) 1,595 5,840   59 202 7,696
Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF)   6       6
Skipjack tuna (SKJ) 219,425 254   401 5 220,085
Yellowfin tuna (YFT) 17,019 1,041   558 401 19,019
Other tuna (TUN KAW FRI)   0   15 1 16
TOTAL TUNAS 238,039 9,213 156 1,035 671 249,114
 
Black marlin (BLM)   0   4   4
Blue marlin (BUM)   526   197 3 726
Sailfish (SFA)   15   3   18
Spearfish (SSP)   204   11   215
Striped marlin (MLS), North Pacific   414   11   425
Striped marlin (MLS), South Pacific   3       3
Other marlins (BIL)   1       1
Swordfish (SWO), North Pacific   690   1 5 696
Swordfish (SWO), South Pacific   8       8
TOTAL BILLFISHES   1,862   227 8 2,097
 
Blue shark (BSH)   1       1
Mako shark (MAK)   39       39
Thresher sharks (THR)   6     1 7
Other sharks (SKH OCS FAL SPN TIG CCL)       1   1
TOTAL SHARKS   45   1 1 47
 
Mahimahi (DOL)   226   404 13 643
Moonfish (LAP)   336       336
Oilfish (GEP)   185       185
Pomfrets (BRZ)   419     13 432
Wahoo (WAH)   340   203 9 553
Other fish (PEL PLS MOP TRX GBA ALX GES RRU DOT)   9   1   10
TOTAL OTHER   1,515   608 35 2,158
 
TOTAL 238,039 12,635 156 1,871 715 253,416
  • Purse seine - Catch estimates are from vessel unloading data reported by captains.
  • Pole & Line estimates for 2015 were not provided since they are confidential; only 2 vessels fished in 2015.
  • Purse seine estimates have not been adjusted for species composition.

 

2014

U.S. Annual Report to the Commission

Part 1: Information on Fisheries, Research, and Statistics

U.S. CAT I Data Submissions 

Table 1. Annual catch (mt) of the United States and the Participating Territories (American Samoa, Guam, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) by species and gear in the WCPFC Statistical Area, in calendar year 2014.  
Species and FAO code Purse seine Longline Albacore troll Tropical troll Handline Total
Albacore (ALB), North Pacific   186 0 3 49 238
Albacore (ALB), South Pacific   1,430 445     1,875
Bigeye tuna (BET) 2,784 5,141   143 206 8,274
Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF)   3       3
Skipjack tuna (SKJ) 268,603 291   370 8 269,272
Yellowfin tuna (YFT) 40,856 1,021   582 385 42,844
Other tuna (TUN KAW FRI)       14 2 16
TOTAL TUNAS 312,243 8,072 445 1,112 650 322,522
 
Black marlin (BLM)   1   3   4
Blue marlin (BUM)   486   160 4 650
Sailfish (SFA)   17   1   18
Spearfish (SSP)   175   8   183
Striped marlin (MLS), North Pacific   357   12   369
Striped marlin (MLS), South Pacific   7       7
Other marlins (BIL)            
Swordfish (SWO), North Pacific   880   1 7 888
Swordfish (SWO), South Pacific   10       10
TOTAL BILLFISHES   1,932   185 11 2,128
 
Blue shark (BSH)   1       1
Mako shark (MAK)   37       37
Thresher sharks (THR)   6   1   7
Other sharks (SKH OCS FAL SPN TIG CCL)       1   1
TOTAL SHARKS   43   2   45
 
Mahimahi (DOL)   263   535 26 825
Moonfish (LAP)   408       408
Oilfish (GEP)   182       182
Pomfrets (BRZ)   392   0 19 411
Wahoo (WAH)   336   259 10 605
Other fish (PEL PLS MOP TRX GBA ALX GES RRU DOT)   6   1   8
TOTAL OTHER   1,587   796 55 2,438
 
TOTAL 312,243 11,635 445 2,095 716 327,134
  • Purse seine - Catch estimates are from vessel unloading data reported by captains.
  • Pole & Line estimates for 2014 were not provided since they are confidential; only 2 vessels fished in 2014.
  • Purse seine estimates have not been adjusted for species composition.

 

2013

U.S. Annual Report to the Commission

Part 1: Information on Fisheries, Research, and Statistics

U.S. CAT I Data Submissions 

Table 1. Annual catch (mt) of the United States and the Participating Territories (American Samoa, Guam, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) by species and gear in the WCPFC Statistical Area, 2013 (updated).
Species and FAO code Purse seine Longline Albacore troll Tropical troll Handline Total
Albacore (ALB), North Pacific   298   2 46 346
Albacore (ALB), South Pacific 1 2,128 390     2,519
Bigeye tuna (BET) 8,157 4,534   148 393 13,232
Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF)   3       3
Skipjack tuna (SKJ) 226,609 288   539 14 227,450
Yellowfin tuna (YFT) 23,277 1,083   531 442 25,333
Other tuna (TUN KAW FRI)   0   5 1 6
TOTAL TUNAS 258,044 8,335 390 1,224 896 268,889
 
Black marlin (BLM)   1   3   4
Blue marlin (BUM)   378   137 3 518
Sailfish (SFA)   12   2   14
Spearfish (SSP)   177   11   188
Striped marlin (MLS), North Pacific   328   8   336
Striped marlin (MLS), South Pacific   4       4
Other marlins (BIL)   1       1
Swordfish (SWO), North Pacific   583   1 6 590
Swordfish (SWO), South Pacific   11       11
TOTAL BILLFISHES   1,493   161 9 1,664
 
Blue shark (BSH)   2       2
Mako shark (MAK)   39       39
Thresher sharks (THR)   5     1 6
Other sharks (SKH OCS FAL SPN TIG CCL)   0   1   1
TOTAL SHARKS   46   1 1 48
 
Mahimahi (DOL)   293   406 22 721
Moonfish (LAP)   450       450
Oilfish (GEP)   216       216
Pomfrets (BRZ)   359   0 20 379
Wahoo (WAH)   274   206 8 487
Other fish (PEL PLS MOP TRX GBA ALX GES RRU DOT)   10   1   11
TOTAL OTHER   1,602   613 50 2,265
 
TOTAL 258,044 11,476 390 1,999 956 272,865
  • Purse seine - Catch estimates are from vessel unloading data reported by captains.
  • Pole & Line estimates for 2013 were not provided since they are confidential; only 2 vessels fished in 2013.

 

2012

U.S. Annual Report to the Commission

Part 1: Information on Fisheries, Research, and Statistics

U.S. CAT I Data Submissions 

Table 1. Annual catch (mt) of the United States and the Participating Territories (American Samoa, Guam, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) by species and gear in the WCPFC Statistical Area, 2012.
Species and FAO code Purse seine Longline Albacore troll Tropical troll Handline Total
Albacore (ALB), North Pacific   595   3 253 851
Albacore (ALB), South Pacific 42 3,147 235     3,423
Bigeye tuna (BET) 5,503 5,162   155 298 11,118
Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF)   7       7
Skipjack tuna (SKJ) 215,702 490   385 12 216,589
Yellowfin tuna (YFT) 31,679 1,196   648 381 33,903
Other tuna (TUN KAW FRI)   0   18 1 19
TOTAL TUNAS 252,925 10,596 235 1,209 945 265,911
 
Black marlin (BLM)   3   3   6
Blue marlin (BUM)   313   141 2 456
Sailfish (SFA)   9   1   10
Spearfish (SSP)   147   12   159
Striped marlin (MLS), North Pacific   263   11   274
Striped marlin (MLS), South Pacific   7       7
Other marlins (BIL)   1       1
Swordfish (SWO), North Pacific   900   1 6 907
Swordfish (SWO), South Pacific   14       14
TOTAL BILLFISHES   1,656   169 8 1,833
 
Blue shark (BSH)   18       18
Mako shark (MAK)   50     1 51
Thresher sharks (THR)   13     1 14
Other sharks (SKH OCS FAL SPN TIG CCL)   1   1   2
TOTAL SHARKS   82   1 2 85
 
Mahimahi (DOL)   351   508 32 891
Moonfish (LAP)   445       445
Oilfish (GEP)   228       228
Pomfrets (BRZ)   270     5 275
Wahoo (WAH)   241   222 7 470
Other fish (PEL PLS MOP TRX GBA ALX GES RRU DOT)   9   4   13
TOTAL OTHER   1,545   734 44 2,323
 
TOTAL 252,925 13,879 235 2,114 999 270,152
  • Purse seine - Catch estimates are from vessel unloading data reported by captains.
  • Pole & Line estimates for 2012 were not provided since they are confidential; only 1 vessel fished in 2012.

 

2011

U.S. Annual Report to the Commission

Part 1: Information on Fisheries, Research, and Statistics

U.S. CAT I Data Submissions 

Table 1. Annual catch (mt) of the United States and the Participating Territories (American Samoa, Guam, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) by species and gear in the WCPFC Statistical Area, 2011.
Species and FAO code Purse seine Longline Albacore troll Tropical troll Handline Total
Albacore (ALB), North Pacific   610 89 4 84 787
Albacore (ALB), South Pacific 1 2,291 402     2,694
Bigeye tuna (BET) 7,838 4,829   110 296 13,073
Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF)   2       2
Skipjack tuna (SKJ) 169,154 300   394 9 169,857
Yellowfin tuna (YFT) 24,442 1,437   501 357 26,738
Other tuna (TUN KAW FRI) 69 0   16 1 86
TOTAL TUNAS 201,504 9,469 491 1,026 747 213,237
 
Black marlin (BLM) 32 2       33
Blue marlin (BUM) 34 375   199 2 610
Sailfish (SFA) 2 15   2   19
Spearfish (SSP) 0 209   11   220
Striped marlin (MLS), North Pacific   331   16   347
Striped marlin (MLS), South Pacific 3 3       6
Other marlins (BIL) 163 1   5   169
Swordfish (SWO), North Pacific   859     5 864
Swordfish (SWO), South Pacific 0 12       12
TOTAL BILLFISHES 235 1,805   233 7 2,280
 
Blue shark (BSH)   14       14
Mako shark (MAK)   51       51
Thresher sharks (THR)   18       18
Other sharks (SKH OCS FAL SPN TIG CCL) 279 3   1   284
TOTAL SHARKS 279 87   1   367
 
Mahimahi (DOL) 3 353   364 17 737
Moonfish (LAP)   396       396
Oilfish (GEP)   233       233
Pomfrets (BRZ)   148     5 153
Wahoo (WAH) 7 270   162 4 443
Other fish (PEL PLS MOP TRX GBA ALX GES RRU DOT) 139 21   12   172
TOTAL OTHER 149 1,421   538 26 2,134
 
TOTAL 202,167 12,782 491 1,797 780 218,017
  • Purse seine - Catch estimates are from cannery reports, where available, else from vessel unloading data reported by captains.
  • Purse seine - catch of billfishes, sharks, and other pelagics are estimated from vessel logbook retained catch and discard data.
  • Pole & Line estimates for 2011 were not provided since they are confidential; only 2 vessels fished in 2011.

 

2010

U.S. Annual Report to the Commission

Part 1: Information on Fisheries, Research, and Statistics

U.S. CAT I Data Submissions 

Table 1. Annual catch (mt) of the United States and the Participating Territories (American Samoa, Guam, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) by species and gear in the WCPFC Statistical Area, 2010.
Species and FAO code Purse seine Longline Albacore troll Tropical troll Handline Total
Albacore (ALB), North Pacific   371   2 53 426
Albacore (ALB), South Pacific 52 3,943 307     4,303
Bigeye tuna (BET) 2 4,878 4,261   118 340 9,597
Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF)   3       3
Skipjack tuna (SKJ) 207,074 242   417 7 207,739
Yellowfin tuna (YFT) 32,494 960   427 265 34,145
Other tuna (TUN KAW FRI) 280 0   25 4 310
TOTAL TUNAS 244,779 9,781 307 989 669 256,524
 
Black marlin (BLM) 21 1       21
Blue marlin (BUM) 28 306   148 2 484
Sailfish (SFA) 2 11   2   15
Spearfish (SSP) 0 89       90
Striped marlin (MLS), North Pacific 1 137   19   157
Striped marlin (MLS), South Pacific 12 2       15
Other marlins (BIL) 82 1   10   93
Swordfish (SWO), North Pacific 0 1,033     3 1,036
Swordfish (SWO), South Pacific 0 11       11
TOTAL BILLFISHES 147 1,592   179 5 1,923
 
Blue shark (BSH)   7       7
Mako shark (MAK)   68     1 69
Thresher sharks (THR)   16     1 17
Other sharks (SKH OCS FAL SPN TIG CCL) 145 3   1   149
TOTAL SHARKS 145 95   1 2 242
 
Mahimahi (DOL) 29 262   466 25 782
Moonfish (LAP)   400       400
Oilfish (GEP)   185       185
Pomfrets (BRZ)   188     22 210
Wahoo (WAH) 25 246   236 5 511
Other fish (PEL PLS MOP TRX GBA ALX GES RRU DOT) 493 11   17 1 522
TOTAL OTHER 547 1,291   719 53 2,609
 
TOTAL 245,617 12,758 307 1,887 729 261,298
  • Purse seine - tuna catches are the sum of cannery receipts (proportioned for overlapping year) plus discards from vessel logbooks.
  • Purse seine - catch of billfishes, sharks, and other pelagics are estimated from vessel logbook retained catch and discard data.
  • Pole & Line estimates for 2010 were not provided since they are confidential; only 2 vessels fished in 2010.

 

Last updated by Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center on 06/07/2021