Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Network
A Capital Opportunity to Protect the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
The vast majority of residents of Hawaii and throughout the US support the protection of the NW Hawaiian Islands and the closing of the proposed sanctuary to resource extraction. But what does it mean for existing fishermen if we create a no-take sanctuary.
Commercial Fishing
There are only 17 commercial fishing permits available in bottomfish fishery in the NW Hawaiian Islands; in recent years, most of those permits have already been voluntarily rer=turned back to the government. Today, only eight vessels are still actively using their permits to fish. The other fishermen have dropped out due to high expenses, low economic return and a desire to avoid the two week trip necessary to fish those distant waters.
If the NW Hawaiian Islands are closed to commercial fishing, what will become of the eight permit holders? Will they be thrown out on the street? No one wants that. The Pew Charitable Trusts, a charitable foundation based in Pennsylvania has a long-standing interest in the protection of important marine ecosytems. They recognize and support the public's strong interest in protecting the NW Hawaiian Islands, but also recognize that eight bottomfish permittees rely on the NW Hawaiian Islands for part of their livelihood.
To help resolve this dilemma, and to support the commercial fishermen while simultaneously encouraging the full protection for the proposed sanctuary, the Pew Charitable Trusts has committed to help finance the fishermen's transition out of fishing in the NW Hawaiian Islands. Pew has pledged to raise the necessary funds to compensate these fishermen for leaving the fishery. These negotiations have only just begun and will take place through the summer and fall of 2006. If successful, the eight bottomfish permittees will be compensated for ending their NWHI fishing operations and we will be one step closer to realizing the goal of a no-take marine reserve in the NWHI.
Q: What will these fishermen do if they sell their right to fish in the NWHI?
A: With the funds they receive from agreeing to end their NWHI fishing operations, these individuals can pursue other opportunities. Several have indicated they wish to stop fishing entirely and pursue other opportunities. Others may buy permits in other fisheries such as the long line fishery or they may continue to fish around the main Hawaiian Islands as many of them do now.
Q: How much is the fishery worth?
A: A 2003 study by the federal government estimated that the gross value of the NWHI bottomfish fishery wqas approximately $1.3 million and the net revenue for all vessels combined was $300.000.
Q: If the bottomfish fishery is closed will I still be able to buy fish in the markets and restaurants as I do now?
A: Yes! The NWHI represent only 1% of the fish caught in Hawaii. Most of the Hawaii harvest comes from the long line fleet and includes tuna, swordfish and opah.
Q: What will happen to the availabilty of bottomfish to eat?
A: Most of the bottomfish (opakapaka, oaga, hapupu, and others) eaten in Hawaii is imported and that will remain the situation whether or not the NWHI fishery is closed. NWHI bottomfish, because it can be up to two weeks old or more when the boats return from fishing is not of the highest quality. That's why many restaurants prefer to buy imported fish with its more consistent supply and quality. The main Hawaiian Island, locally caught bottomfish will still be available as a fresh, high-quality option.