Meetings on fishing regulations set for 3 islands
Advertiser Staff
The Department of Land and Natural Resources is holding a series of public meetings throughout the state on possible regulations for certain fish species.
The discussion will center on using minimum-size rules to protect fish that may be at risk of being over harvested, and will focus on at least three main fish families that the DLNR feels may be in need of updated regulations. They are: parrotfish (uhu), goatfish (weke) and jacks (ulua/papio). The Division of Aquatic Resources has not yet drafted rule changes.
The public meetings have been scheduled as follows:
Meetings have already been held on Maui and Kaua'i.
"We are holding these public information meetings to listen to concerns and suggestions from the public regarding fishing and protection of these three species," said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairwoman. "The input we receive from the public will help the Division of Aquatic Resources design rules that will support the ongoing conservation of our marine resources while balancing the needs of recreational, subsistence and commercial fishers."
Recreational and subsistence fishers have developed a preference for the parrotfish family (also known as uhu), with many spearfishers considering them prized catches, according to the news release.
Commercial harvesting of uhu has also increased, with commercial fishers now supplying uhu to various markets throughout the state. Recent changes in uhu commercial harvesting using specialized and highly effective net- and trap-based fisheries operating in deeper water can remove large amounts of uhu, the news release said.
These trends have resulted in increased concern over uhu stocks.
Of particular concern is the role of these fish in helping to maintain healthy coral reefs. Parrotfish, the largest grazing fishes on Hawai'i's reefs, play a critical role in controlling seaweed growth and thereby help to maintain healthy coral reef ecosystems.
Scientific information from commercial fisheries and fish survey data for goatfishes (moano kali and weke nono) show a decline in catch rate over time that correlates with an observed decrease in goatfish abundance.
Ulua/papio is another very important species caught by recreational fishers.
The Division of Aquatic Resources plans to hold similar meetings on other islands, and those dates and locations will be announced at a later time.
For more information contact Division of Aquatic Resources offices at: 808-243-5294 on Maui; 808-974-6201 on the Big Island; 808-274-3344 on Kaua'; 587-0100 on Oahu or 808-567-3778 on Moloka'i and Lanai'.
