Inside–Editorial Board

Have you ever stepped off the shoreline and sank knee deep in mud, plucked some annoying seaweed from your tabi or slipped through the water with your mask and spear, wondering why fish were noticeably absent and the ocean bottom was covered in a dusty silt? In this issue, learn about some of the efforts by fishermen and various community groups to restore our island ecosystems. Many hope these efforts may lead to less experiences like those described above but what this means to our readership is that perhaps, in turn, they can bring about a semblance of what used to be, of balance and improved fishing conditions. Past issues of Lawai’a have focused on significant changes to our shoreline due to man-made alterations of large scale proportions. Much of this damage to our nearshore marine environment is irreversible, based on our society’s choice of living today’s modern lifestyle, and many of the efforts profiled in this issue are the best we can do at this time with the resources available. There is hope, however, that more of our community leaders will see the importance of not only these types of projects but all those possible and make a commitment to rectify things on a larger scale. One example of such larger scale efforts is the Lahaina Watershed Flood Control Project on Maui, a culvert and retention basin system that will hold stormwater and reduce sediment runoff into the nearshore reef area. Hawaii can certainly use more projects like this.

While society as a whole needs to be aware of these large scale issues and how they impact our Island life, there is much that we can do on our own that is closer to home. Fishermen need to unite, be informed, speak up, collaborate and be part of the process as there are many things happening or imminent on the horizon that need our attention: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Marine Recreational Information Program’s Saltwater Angler Registry has been in effect as of January 1, 2010. All fishermen without a State of Hawaii commercial marine license or Federal Non-Commercial Bottomfish Permit must register if you fish within the Federal ocean waters or 3 to 200 miles out from the Main Hawaiian Islands. Registering is simple and free but may involve a fee next year. If you did not already register, go to https://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov/.

The federal government is preparing to include in its management not only what is caught in offshore waters such as pelagic fish like ahi and marlin but also nearshore species such as ulua, kumu, oio and the broad spectrum of species that make up our shoreline based recreational and commercial fishery. The reason why they are subject to Federal regulation is because our nearshore fish also occur in Federal waters (ie. the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands) and are therefore subject to Annual Catch Limit (ACL) management “throughout their range” beginning in 2011, under the 2006 reauthorization of the Magnuson Stevens Act. A host of various options that have been used before here and in other areas, such as catch allocation and limited access, will also be considered for management plans for the Main Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii’s bottomfish fishery is already familiar with some of these management approaches, utilizing a total allowable catch system that makes it impossible to eat a fresh Hawaiian island onaga or opakapaka for several months out of the year.

All of Hawaii’s fishermen, including trollers, shorecasters, spearfishers and others, will have to learn about what these different options mean, if any are appropriate for our various nearshore fisheries and what combinations would be best for our unique island culture. Hawaii’s fishermen will also have to participate in this decision making like never before. Failure to stand up and be heard will only result in disappointment and possibly losing our fishing activity and island lifestyle as we know it today. Look for more about these upcoming issues in future fishing publications and TV shows or contact the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council at (808) 522-8220 or Info.WPCouncil@noaa.gov for information on how to voice your opinion or be involved.

Let’s strive to be Hawaii’s fishermen, Lawai’a, and be responsible for our ocean resources, not only by understanding and practicing resource conservation, but also by sharing our knowledge and showing others that being involved in its management is important.