If you enjoy eating Hawaii’s popular bottom fish including Opakapaka and Onaga, you’ll have to settle for something imported.
Monday a temporary bottom fishing ban goes into effect, meanwhile there’s a proposal on the table to increase the current catch limit next season.
Starting Monday some of the most popular and sought after fresh fish entrees wont be local.
“We think it’s a great idea to give the fish a break and sort of give them an opportunity hopefully to reproduce and sort of restock,” Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter Robert Harris said.
The bottom fishes, known as the deep seven: Ehu, Gindai, Kalekale, Lehi, Onaga, Opakapaka and Hapuupuu will be off limits to fishermen in federal and state waters for almost two months.
“It is sort of a harsh method and I think its sort of years of not really properly regulating the fish industry,” Harris said.
The total allowable catch limit of deep seven fish for the main Hawaiian Islands is 241-thousand pounds.
According to data received by the national oceanic and atmospheric administration on June 12th the limit was exceeded, which in turn will force those who buy fresh fish to find alternatives.
“They are going to rely on imports or frozen fish,” Waianae Harbor Master William Aila said.
But not for long the deep seven ban will be lifted come August 31st.
And now there is a proposal to increase the total allowable catch up to 262-thousand pounds next season.
Scientists say a recent study shows that bottom fish "are healthier than previously indicated."
But not everyone thinks raising the limit is a good idea.
“It will probably lead to over fishing here because now the numbers are skewed,” Aila said.
Some fishermen and environmental activists say they're against the proposal because it includes the northwestern Hawaiian Islands with the main Hawaiian Islands
“One of the results from that could be it increases the amount of pressure in the main Hawaiian Islands,” Aila said.
“Lets make sure the industry, the fishing here in the main Hawaiian Islands is in the best possible shape before we increase the fishing allowed,” Harris said.
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will meet July 22-25 2009 at the King Kamehameha Hotel in Kona.
Written comments will also be accepted until 5pm July 15 2009, by mail, fax or email.
Executive Director
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council
1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400 Honolulu HI 96813
(808)522-8285
info.wpcouncil@noaa.gov
