Hawaii FEP - Western Pacific Fishery Council

percentage of the total catch if measured by weight. Of the organisms that were caughtincidentally, hermit crabs made up the largest component followed by moray eels and small reeffish.Octopus abundance was also evaluated due to its potential as a prey species for the Hawaiianmonk seal. A total of 83 individuals were captured during the entire 1986–2003 study period,and examination of the data showed no significant decline or increase in their capture rate overtime. Based on the data, the study found that it is unlikely that lobster-trapping activities havelowered octopus abundance to such a degree that monk seal populations would be negativelyimpacted (Moffitt et al. 2005).Overall, Moffitt et al. (2005) concluded that lobster-trapping activities are responsible forchanges in abundance of a few species (target species have declined, and some crab species haveincreased due to competitive replacement) of the benthic community in the NWHI, but do notappear to have resulted in major changes to the ecosystem. Moffitt et al. (2005) also stated thatgear lost in this fishery has not been found to be “ghost fishing” (still catching organisms), andthat although direct damage to the benthic habitat by the traps has not been studied, it is notlikely to be substantial due to the low-relief, hard substrate that characterizes the fishing grounds.Currently, there is little information about bycatch associated with the Heterocarpus fishery andwhat is known comes primarily from research sampling.Protected Species InteractionsSince 1986, there have been no reports of direct interactions between the NWHI lobster fisheryand Hawaiian monk seals. However, in 1986 near Necker Island, one Hawaiian monk seal diedas a result of entanglement with a bridle rope from a lobster trap. Modifications to bridle ropeswere subsequently made and the Council implemented regulations to improve the ability torespond to any future reports of interactions between monk seals and lobster fishing gear (seeChapter 5). Observer reports show no Hawaiian monk seal entanglements or other interactionssince 1987. 14 As described in Chapter 3, at one time it was believed that NWHI lobsters were animportant part of the diet of monk seals. However, an ongoing analysis of fatty acid signatures inNWHI monk seal blubber indicates that lobster and crustaceans in general don’t appear to bevery important to monk seals as there are species of NWHI lobsters in relatively high abundancebut monk seals are not eating them (PIFSC Scientist Charles Littnan in the Honolulu Advertiser,December 1, 2006).There have been no observed or reported interactions between commercial lobster orHeterocarpus fisheries and any other protected species in Federal waters around the HawaiiArchipelago. Based on the limited potential for entanglement with float lines, on the lowlikelihood of protected species encountering a deployed Heterocarpus trap, and on the small trapopenings practically eliminating the likelihood that a seal could get stuck in a trap should one be14 The lobster fishery was observed on a voluntary basis starting in 1997. NMFS scientific data collectors weredispatched on each of the lobster trips during 1997 through 1999.110