Hawaii FEP - Western Pacific Fishery Council

Kauai Federal water 61 46 42 16Kauai both 85 71 66 44Middle Bank Federal water 5 4 NA NASource: Kawamoto and Tao 2005.Note: MMLK (Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe) does not include Penguin Banks, unlessmentioned otherwise. Trip/License by areas may not be additive because the fisherman may havefished in more than one area during a single trip. A trip to more than one area may be dividedinto State and Federal or multiple areas within each broad destination. Trip = 1 day fishedBottomfish gear and fishing strategies are highly selective for desired species and sizes.Bottomfishers use a hook-and-line method of fishing in which weighted and baited lines arelowered and raised with electric, hydraulic, or hand-powered reels. The main line is typically400–450 pounds test, with hook leaders of 80–120 pound test monofilament. The hooks arecircle hooks, and a typical rig uses six to eight hooks branching off the main line. The weight istypically 5–6 pounds. The hook leaders are typically 2–3 feet long and separated by about 6 feetalong the main line. Squid is the bait typically used. It is sometimes supplemented with a chumbag containing chopped fish or squid suspended above the highest hook. The use of bottomtrawls, bottom gillnets, exposives, and poisons are prohibited.Bottomfish fishing in the NWHI is conducted solely by commercial fishermen, and the vesselsused tend to be larger than those fishing around the MHI, as the distance to fishing grounds isgreater. Participation in the NWHI bottomfish fishery is controlled through limited accessprograms in each of the two management zones (Mau and Hoomalu). These zones wereestablished to reduce the risk of biological overfishing and to improve the economic health andstability of the bottomfish fishery in the NWHI. The programs provide for a limited number offederal fishing permits to be issued each calendar year. Permits may not be sold, leased, orchartered. Based on the biological, economic, and social characteristics of the bottomfishfisheries in the two zones, the long-term target fleet sizes for the Hoomalu and Mau Zones havebeen determined to be seven and ten vessels, respectively. In 2006, four vessels fished in theHoomalu Zone, and four fished in the Mau Zone. All of these vessels are independent, owneroperatedfishing operations. The NWHI Bottomfish fishery will close on June 15, 2011, inaccordance with the provisions of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, whichwas established in the NWHI through Presidential Proclamation No. 8031 on June 15,2006.Based on 1998–2002 data commercial bottomfish catches in the MHI fishery representapproximately 60 percent of the total commercial bottomfish harvest in Hawaii (WPRFMC2004). Preliminary data for 2003 indicate that a total of 272,569 pounds of commercial landingswere made by 325 vessels in the MHI, with a total ex-vessel value of $1,460,000 (Figures 13 and14). Mau Zone landings for 2003 were estimated to total 77,000 pounds, with a total ex-vesselvalue of $356,769, while Ho’omalu Zone landings were 145,000 pounds, with a total ex-vesselvalue of $494,450 (WPRFMC 2005a).91