The U.S. Western Pacific Region

Abstract

This chapter describes the West Pacific region and the major issues facing this marine fisheries ecosystem, and presents some summary statistics related to the 90 indicators of ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) criteria. The U.S. Western Pacific region composes over half (~51%) of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including multiple remote archipelagos, and extends over much of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean basin. The Western Pacific contains the second-highest (among eight regions) number of managed taxa in U.S. waters, including commercially and recreationally important bottomfishes (e.g., emperors, snappers, groupers), pelagic fishes, crustaceans, corals, and coral reef-associated taxa. The U.S. Western Pacific has been affected by above-average natural and human stressors that include the highest frequency and intensity of cyclonic storm activity, intensive fishing, high coastal development, and continually increasing temperatures. Overall, significant EBFM progress has been made in terms of implementing ecosystem-level planning and advancing knowledge of ecosystem principles.