Overview

Owners and the operators of vessels registered for use under any longline permit issued under Western Pacific fishery management plans must attend and be certified for completion of annual protected species workshops. Each year, about 250 fishermen and vessel owners are trained in Hawaii, and about 100 in American Samoa.

The protected species workshop program conducts these workshops. This training includes:

• Protected species identification;
• Handling and release techniques; and
• Regulatory requirements. 

The protected species that are covered in the workshops include

• Sea turtles;
• Marine mammals ; and
• Seabirds.

 
Trainers use various techniques and materials to convey critical knowledge to fishermen, including verbal presentations, hands-on demonstrations, videos, and printed reference materials.  Additionally, an interactive training web site is currently under development to facilitate on-line learning.

The protected species workshop schedule is available here.