Estimating Nearshore Fisheries Catch for the Main Hawaiian Islands

Abstract

Nearshore fisheries in the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) have great economic, recreational, and cultural value. Currently, information on these fisheries is disparate and incomplete, creating a challenge for effective management. This study combines and synthesizes several commercial and small-scale non-commercial datasets to estimate the total catch of nearshore fisheries in the MHI. Data used came from catch reports submitted by commercial fishers, a statewide recreational fisheries survey, and 12 small-scale, non-commercial creel surveys conducted at sites in Kauai, Oahu, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii. Results include an estimated range for total nearshore catch between 1,441,407 and 7,739,548 kg/yr., with the non-commercial catch between 9 and 53 times the reported commercial reef fish catch. Additionally this study provides a comprehensive overview of the MHI nearshore fishery, including best-available estimates of fishery data such as catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE), gear-preference and participation rates, with data broken out at island-scale. This is likely more appropriate for management purposes than the statewide level at which nearshore catch data is currently reported in the MHI.