Pacific Islands Fishery News
Newsletter of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council / Spring 2018 ISSN 2151-2329 (PRINT) ISSN 2151-2337 (ONLINE)
Deep-7 bottomfish (left to right, top to bottom): lehi (Aphareus rutilans), kalekale (Pristipomoides sieboldii), ‘ūkı̄ kiki or gindai (P. zonatus), hāpu‘upu‘u (Epinephelus quernus), ‘ōpakapaka (P. filamentosus), ‘ula‘ula koa‘e or onaga (Etelis coruscans) and ‘ula‘ula or ehu (E. carbunculus) llustrations by Les Hata. © Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources
Managing Hawai‘i Bottomfish Has Come a Long Way On June 6 to 8, scientists will make their final recommendation to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council on the maximum allowable biological catch (ABC) for seven deep-water snappers and grouper for the 2018–2019 Hawai‘i bottomfish fish season. The ABC is the maximum pounds that can be harvested without overfishing the stock complex and is based on life history information, independent surveys and stock assessment models. The Hawai‘i fishing year for the Deep 7 bottomfish runs from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31 the following year. From the ABC, the Council will determine the annual catch limit (ACL) at its 173rd meeting, June 11 to 13 on Maui. The ACL takes into consideration scientific uncertainties and social, economic, ecological and management factors. The ACL can be less than or equal to the ABC. Management of the Hawai‘i bottomfish fishery has evolved into a complex process that relies on trip reporting and daily monitoring of landings and sales, the best scientific information available and a coordinated management regime between state and federal fishery agencies. The system is not perfect, but positive strides each year have made the Hawai‘i bottomfish fishery among the best managed fisheries in the state.
The bottomfish fishing community is extremely informed and participates throughout the management process. Fisherman volunteers worked with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) over a two-year period to investigate the historical timeseries of the fishery’s catch and effort. Changes in the fishery have been seen in the participants, gear (from handline to electric and hydraulic power) and technology (addition of depth finders and GPS). Fishermen stressed the importance of weather as the largest factor governing this fishery’s activities. NMFS scientists have incorporated this information into their models. Better information in the upgraded models resulted in a positive stock assessment and a likely increase of almost 200,000 pounds of Deep 7 bottomfish for the 2018–2019 fishing year in the main Hawaiian Islands. (See page 2 for overview of quotas from the 2007 to 2017–2018 fishing years.) Work will continue to improve the information that goes into the stock assessment model. They will review the management framework and information gaps that relate to unreported catch in the noncommercial sector of the fishery. They will also focus on improving the commercial marine license and seafood dealer reporting programs run by the State of Hawai‘i. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2