Proposed West Maui fishing prohibition moves forward

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WAILUKU - A proposed state prohibition on fishers taking three popular reef fish families and a class of sea urchin along a stretch of Kaanapali coastline is now close to becoming reality.

The state Board of Land and Natural Resources recently approved rules to establish the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area. Conservation rules in the area would protect reef fish and the diminishing coral reef in the near-shore waters from Kekaa Point (Black Rock) to Honokowai Beach Park.

The measure still needs the review of government agencies and state attorneys before it goes to the governor for final approval.

Biologists say some reef fish are important as "grazers" that eat seaweed and algae that have been taking over some coral reefs. If there were more reef fish, that would improve the health of reefs where they feed.

"This is the first time where we identified a reef habitat area that is showing signs of stress and decline and implemented fisheries management as a tool to protect the habitat. It's unique in that respect," said biologist Russell Sparks, who is also an education specialist with the Maui Division of Aquatic Resources.

He added that the project would be similar to the no fishing and no feeding rules at Hanauma Bay on Oahu, although such conservation areas across the state were not established to save an endangered reef, which is the case on Maui.

Sparks, who has worked on the proposal for nearly two years, said that in the management area, fish populations are not as high as in other protected areas and the reef has declined by 50 percent in 15 years.

"There is still 30 percent coral covering. It's not too late to make some change," he said.

If the fisheries management area gets final approval, people would not be able to catch the following fish families, including sea urchins:

* Acanthuridae family, or surgeonfish, which includes manini and palani.

* Kyphosidae family, or chubs or rudderfish, also known as nenue.

* Scaridae family, known as parrotfish or uhu.

* Sea urchins of the Echinoidea class, which includes wana.

Sparks said the sea urchins scrape seaweed off of rocks and are "very important grazers."

People will also not be able to feed fish in the area, so the fish will not gorge themselves on peas or other foods, which would deter them from eating seaweed, Sparks said.

Although the measure is seen as a positive step by many in the community, including politicians and ocean enthusiasts, it does pose some challenges and has drawn criticism from members of the Native Hawaiian community. They say the measure violates their gathering rights as well as fishing practices.

Critics have said the state should look at other reasons for the declining reef and fish populations. Other factors could be rain runoff and other pollutants such as sunscreen used by visitors while they swim and snorkel in popular recreation areas near West Maui resorts.

Sparks agrees that other issues such as excess use of fertilizers, overdevelopment along the coastline and effluent from sewage treatment plants and injection wells all adversely affect coral reefs, but those contributing factors are outside the control of state aquatics officials.

But officials can help the health of reefs by protecting beneficial fish, he said.

In the conservation area, people would still be allowed to fish for other species in the area. The management area is nearly two miles long and at its widest (from land out to sea) is approximately three-quarters of a mile, according to maps of the area.

Randy Awo, Maui branch chief of the state's Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, said enforcing the new rules in the protected area would be challenging.

But "we are going to do the best to make it work," he said.

Awo said staff in his division, which is coping with budget cuts and a roster of only 14 field officers to cover the entire island, will have to work even harder.

"Despite the challenges, we do support the project," he added.

Awo added that people should be educated about the rules on a regular basis, especially since the area is heavily used by tourists.

"That will help us mitigate some of the challenges we will have to deal with when working with tourists," Awo said.

Violations could be classified as civil and or criminal, although they will most likely be criminal, Sparks said.

With a criminal violation, the charge would be a petty misdemeanor subject to fines. A first-time offense would carry a fine of no less than $100.

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