Evaluating Fish Hatcheries as a Tool for Fish Recruitment in Loko I'a

Abstract

The restoration of loko i‘a faces significant challenges due to extensive changes in land and water use over the past century. Urbanization, agriculture, and infrastructure development have disrupted the natural flow of freshwater and sediment that these systems depend on. Streams that once fed loko i‘a with clean, continuous water are now often diverted, dammed, or polluted. Meanwhile, coastal development has altered shorelines and estuaries, reduced water quality and increasing sedimentation, which can smother pond habitats and block water exchange. Additionally, the introduction of invasive plant species, runoff from agriculture and roads, and changes in land grading and drainage systems all contribute to a landscape that no longer supports the ecological balance loko i‘a require. Fish hatcheries are a novel solution being considered in restoring fish stocks in loko i‘a across the state. I investigated the economic, social, and cultural factors that go into the implementation of fish hatcheries in loko i‘a . To do this, I analyzed aquaculture policies and studies concerning fish hatcheries done in Hawaii, and interviewed experts in aquaculture and natural resources management, as well as native practitioners to explore how hatcheries can be implemented in accordance with Indigenous Hawaiian values. Those in favor of hatcheries see them as a way to provide immediate stocking to loko i‘a , in addition to boosting wild stocks. However, others point out the cost of hatchery operations and push for prioritizing the restoration of upland systems and water quality to revitalize the natural ahupua‘a system. Therefore, the view on fish hatcheries is myriad, and it is important to reconcile these views to ensure the best results for hatchery implementation.