Strategic plan for the Conservation and Management of marine resources in the Pacific Islands region : summary

Abstract

In April 2003, he National Marine Fisheries Service(NMFS,also known as NOAA Fisheries) transferred the responsibility for man aging the marine resources infederal waters surrounding the US Pacific Islands from NOAA Fisheries' Southwest Region based in california to the newly defined pacific islands region based in Hawaii.The Pacific Islands Region was established with the explicit intent of employing regional expertise to provide improved customer service and stewardship of living marine resources within the expansive geographic region of the western pacific. The region's area of jurisdiction includes both domestic(Exclusive Economic Zone) and international waters(See map) throughout the central and western Pacific ocean.