DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources will begin hosting bimonthly virtual talk story sessions next week for interested fishers statewide to exchange information, concerns and ideas. DLNR photo

The Maui News

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources will begin hosting bimonthly virtual talk story sessions next week for interested fishers statewide to exchange information, concerns and ideas.

These sessions, which are already underway on Kauai via Zoom, are titled “Holoholo Fisher Talk Story Sessions” and will maintain a “loose agenda” to allow fishers to drive the discussion topics. The exact format may vary to meet the unique needs of each community.

Talk story sessions are scheduled to take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday for Maui, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday for Molokai and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday for Lanai.

Kauai DAR biologist Dr. Heather Ylitalo-Ward hopes that by “having a regular platform for dialogue with the fishing community, we can build trust with fishers and be an advocate for their concerns from within the state government.”

DAR said in a news release that “it’s critical” to provide fishers with up-to-date information and ensure that the voice of the fishing community across the islands is being heard by decision-makers and resource managers.

With state offices closed and in-person meetings restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DAR is looking for new and potentially better ways of conducting community outreach and receiving input from local fishers.

“A common criticism I hear from fishers is that the only time we hear from DAR is when new fishing rules are being proposed,” said DAR administrator Brian Neilson. “This is a valid criticism, and we need to do more to facilitate open dialogue with fishers that’s not associated with a rule-making process. In fact, we have plenty to discuss in regard to fishing, fisheries and other related topics.

“DAR does a lot of work throughout the state that has nothing to do with fishing regulations. We want to talk about these efforts too and hear more from fishers and build our relationship with the fishing community,” Neilson added.

Since the Kauai DAR office began hosting a monthly series of virtual discussions in April, officials said in the news release that “it has been a positive and mutually beneficial experience” because they have been able to get information out to fishers and hear from a diverse group of subsistence, recreational and commercial fishers on their concerns and ideas for better fisheries management.

Through these meetings, DAR has been alerted to community concerns such as illegal activity, user conflicts and observed changes in fish populations that may have not been heard about otherwise.

The department has also been able to be more transparent about data collection methods and internal decision-making that is behind some of these new management plans.

The full schedule of statewide talk story sessions can be viewed online at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/announcements/fishers-invited-to-attend-holoholo-fisher-talk-story-sessions/.

To register, visit forms.office.com/g/Y0KsHHz7Xh.