Overfishing in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu, HI - The Ocean Conservancy and Marine Conservation Biology Institute today released a joint scientific report showing the repeated occurrence of overfishing in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The report reveals that the area was overfished or in the danger zone in 11 out of 16 years-from 1988 to 2003-with only limited fishing pressure, as few boats have fished the distant region. Despite the low fishing presence, commercial fishing has harmed the rich ecosystem, leading to a decline in the important bottomfish populations that exist in the unique archipelago.

"Overfishing is a serious threat to the health of our oceans, and if we are to act as good stewards, we need to make sure that the Northwestern Hawaiian Island bottomfish population remains healthy," said Dennis Heinemann, Senior Scientist for The Ocean Conservancy and lead author of the report.

A unique and diverse ecosystem exists in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands archipelago, which stretches from the main islands to Midway. This ecosystem contains extensive and massive reef colonies and thousands of marine species, and stands apart as an oceanic gem at a time in which large fish are disappearing and worldwide ecosystems are in decline. It is also highly important culturally for the native Hawaiian community. The report shows that even this relatively untouched region is susceptible to harm from even limited commercial fishing. It is clear that the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands cannot remain healthy if any commercial fishing continues.

"Many have claimed that so few vessels fishing such a vast area would cause little harm," said Lance Morgan, Chief Scientist for Marine Conservation Biology Institute. "The government's data have shown the opposite is the case: the fishing pressure from only a few boats has had demonstrably negative effects on the resources. This unique region, with its extraordinary reef ecosystem, deserves extraordinary care."

The report's conclusions are based on recently adopted methods of analysis, using data provided by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Visit

www.oceanconservancy.org/hawaii
http://www.mcbi.org/


for more information.


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