Black Coral: History of a Sustainable Fishery in Hawai'i

Abstract

The black coral fishery in Hawai'i has been sustainable for the past 40 yr. The fishery began in 1958, shortly after its discovery off Lahaina, Maui, by Jack Ackerman and Larry Windley, who later formed the company Maui Divers of Hawaii. Since that time, the black coral jewelry industry has gradually expanded and is valued in Hawai'i today at about $15 million at the retail level. In the 1970s, studies of the population dynamics of the major species established growth, recruitment, and mortality rates and led to the development of management guidelines including recommendations for a minimum size and maximum sustained yield. Results of a recent survey in 1998, reported in this paper, show that rates of recruitment and growth are near steady state and appear to account for the long-term stability of the fishery. However, recent technological advances and potential increases in demand could lead to increased rates of harvest. Should this happen, more stringent regulations may be required to avoid overexploitation of the resource.