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Scientists convene on O'ahu to discuss fishery issues | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper

Updated at 7:01 a.m., Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Scientists convene on O'ahu to discuss fishery issues

Advertiser Staff

Scientists from across the United States and the Pacific are convening today through Thursday in Honolulu to talk about fishery management issues in the U.S. Pacific Islands, including measures to implement after the 2007 main Hawaiian Islands bottomfish closure for seven species of deep-water species, known as the Deep 7, ends on Sept. 30.

The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is holding its meeting at the council office, on 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400.

Among the items being discussed:

  • Limiting commercial catches of Deep 7 species to 178,000 pounds, which represents a 24 percent reduction of main Hawaiian Islands' commercial Deep 7 catches as compared to 2004, and closing both the commercial and noncommercial sectors once commercial Deep 7 landings are reached.

  • Changing noncommercial bag limits from the current five onaga and/or ehu combined per person per trip, to five of any Deep 7 species combined per person per trip and extending this bag limit to include not only state water (0 to 3 miles from shore) but also federal waters (3 to 200 miles from shore).

  • Implementing federal permit and reporting requirements for noncommercial fishermen who catch bottomfish in the main Hawaiian Islands.

  • Implementing a 2008 seasonal closure for the main Hawaiian Islands' Deep 7 fishing from May through August.

  • Implementing a combined commercial and noncommercial Deep 7 total allowable catch limit beginning Sept. 1, 2008. At this point the noncommercial bag limits would be dropped.

    Recommendations made by the SSC will be considered by the council when it convenes June 19-22 at the Ala Moana Hotel. The main Hawaiian Islands' bottomfish overfishing issue will be discussed 6:30 to 9 p.m. on June 20.

    Those unable to attend the SSC or the council meeting may provide written comments to the council by mail, by fax at 522-8226 or by sending an e-mail to info.wpcouncil@noaa.gov. Comments must be received by 5 p.m. Friday. For more information on or a draft agenda for these meetings or other fishery issues, visit the council's Web site at www.wpcouncil.org or call (808) 522-8220.

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