Fishers seek stricter bag limits for fish

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KAHULUI - Rather than just regulating the size of fish that can be caught, Maui fishers say the state should impose stricter bag limits on three popular fish families: parrotfish, goatfish and jacks, to keep them from being overharvested.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a public informational meeting from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Maui Waena Elementary School Cafeteria, centering on using minimum size catch rules to protect much sought-after uhu, weke and ulua and papio (young ulua), which the state feels may be in need of updated regulations because they are at risk of being overfished.

"We are holding these public information meetings to listen to concerns and suggestions from the public regarding fishing and protection of these three species," said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson. "The input we receive from the public will help the Division of Aquatic Resources design rules that will support the ongoing conservation of our marine resources while balancing the needs of recreational, subsistence and commercial fishers."

But some fishermen interviewed Saturday felt that just regulating fish size is not enough.

"It's not going to help the resource, because I can still take as much as I want," said avid spear fisherman Brian Yoshikawa. "They should focus on the bag limits versus the minimum size."

Yoshikawa said that previous restrictions on sizes have not increased the fish population.

Darrell Tanaka, another longtime spear fisherman, agrees.

"Minimum size restrictions are OK, but they need to be complemented with bag limits to be effective."

Tanaka said bag limits are easier to understand and to follow since there is no measuring and weighing needed.

"Bag limits are one of the easier regulations to enforce," he said.

Current minimum size restrictions and bag limits for the affected fish are:

* Uhu, 12 inches; no bag limit.

* Ulua and papio, 10 inches for consumption; 16 inches for sale; 20 bag limit all species.

* Weke, seven inches for sale.

Fish are measured from the mouth or snout to the fork of their tail.

Another longtime Lahaina fisherman, Kim Miyaki, questioned how the state comes up with the blanket minimum size regulations, especially since there are many different types of fish in one family.

One example is the papio. He said some papio develop at different times, and the minimum size regulations may not be benefiting all of the papio species.

He said the yellow spot papio (papa papio) is around 2 pounds when caught at the 16-inch for sale size. On the other hand, a baby ulua could also be 16 inches, but is "very small."

But Miyaki, who owns Miyaki Fish Market in Lahaina, likes the idea of protecting the three fish families.

Yoshikawa said there is no question that these fish are being depleted.

Tanaka said it is especially important to protect the uhu, which scrape the algae off of coral, thus protecting the coral from algae overgrowth.

According to the state, recreational and subsistence fishers have developed a preference for uhu. Many spear fishers considered them prized catches. The commercial harvesting of uhu has also increased with commercial fishers now supplying uhu to various markets throughout the state.

Fishers are also now using specialized and highly effective net and trap fisheries in deeper waters, which can remove large amounts of uhu, the state said. The state recognizes the importance of the parrotfish (uhu species) that graze on Hawaii's reefs and control seaweed growth.

There is also data showing a decline in goatfish catches that correlates with a decrease in goatfish abundance, the state said. Ulua and papio are also popular with recreational fishers.

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.