05/30/2026
A few spreads from the 20-page Spring 2026 issue of Pacific Islands Fishery News, a quarterly publication put out by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, sharing fisheries issues and concerns in the US Pacific region. The Council mourns the passing of Alo Paul Stevenson, one of its early members from American Samoa who served from 1983 to 1998, and former Council Chair Manny Dueñas from Guam. Manny's unwavering and lifelong dedication to people and fisheries of Guam will be missed. Here's an excerpt from his In Memoriam:
As Council chair, Manny fought for the "brown people" (indigenous) of the Pacific Islands, often delivering impassioned pleas to NOAA to provide opportunities for them to continue practicing their culture. As he put it, "We don't want our culture to be preserved like pickles in a jar; we want to perpetuate our culture through practice." While known for his passionate monologues during Council and other public meetings, Manny also worked hard behind the scenes to ensure fishermen's voices were heard at every level – so much so that he was known and beloved by even the highest-ranking fisheries officials.
For more on the Council visit www.wpcouncil.org
