Report to the 204th Meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC or Center) administers and conducts scientific research and monitoring programs that produce science to support the conservation and management of fisheries and living marine resources. This is achieved by conducting research on fisheries and ocean ecosystems and the communities that depend on them throughout the Pacific Islands region and by dedicating efforts to the recovery and conservation of protected species. The Center is organized into four major divisions: Ecosystem Sciences Division, Fisheries Research and Monitoring Division, Protected Species Division. PIFSC continues to improve its science and operations through collaboration and integration across divisions, and increased communication, cooperation, and coordination with partners and stakeholders. This report highlights research, projects, activities, and other events that are of direct interest to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (Council), including bottomfish and National Coral Reef Monitoring Program surveys in the Mariana Archipelago, Hawaiʻi longline fisheries research, and sea turtle research.