Hawaii Crab Trap Fishery - MMPA List of Fisheries
U.S. fisheries are classified under the Marine Mammal Protection Act according to the level of incidental mortality or serious injury of marine mammals.
Current Classification on the List of Fisheries
Category |
III |
Estimated Number of Participants |
4 |
Target Species |
Crab |
Applicable Take Reduction Plans |
None |
Observer Coverage |
Not observed |
Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured |
Humpback whale, Hawai’i |
Basis for Current Classification
From 2008-2012, four humpback whales were reported as entangled in Hawaii trap/pot gear (Bradford and Lyman, 2015). The gear involved in two entanglements was identified as crab trap/pot gear. The gear involved in the other two entanglements could not be identified to a specific trap fishery, though one was thought to be possibly crab trap/pot (Bradford and Lyman, 2015). Pre-mitigation injury determinations for the confirmed crab trap entanglements were one serious injury and one prorated as 0.75 serious injury (Bradford and Lyman, 2015). Humpback serious injury and mortality in the Hawaii crab trap fishery from 2008-2012 is 1.75, with a 5-year annual average of 0.35 per year. Based on a tier analysis, the fishery warrants Category III classification.
Distribution
Fishing can occur in both state and federal waters. Crab traps are generally set in shallower waters (< 100 ft). In 2013, there were 219 crab trap trips reported, though some trips involved using one or more trap methods.
Gear Description
Trap fishing includes fishing with any of various fishing devices made into the shape of a box, container, or enclosure, with one or more openings that allow marine life to get inside but keep them from leaving.
Management
The fishery is monitored and managed by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources/Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), NOAA Fisheries, and the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, as appropriate. In general, fisheries are managed for the species harvested rather than by gear, but in some cases there are specific management measures for particular gear types or methods.
The Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) for the Hawaii Archipelago and implementing regulations under 50 CFR 665.220 through 665.239 include a list of allowable gear and methods for harvesting Hawaii coral reef ecosystem management unit species (MUS) in the FEP management area (U.S. EEZ, outside of state waters). Use of gear or a method not listed as allowable requires a special permit pursuant to 50 CFR 665.224(1)(iii). Crab traps are listed as an allowable gear to harvest Hawaii coral reef MUS in federal waters, but they must have a vessel ID number affixed.
The Council recommends and NOAA Fisheries approves annual catch limits (ACLs) for inshore crustaceans (coral reef MUS), so species harvested using crab traps may be subject to ACLs.
A commercial marine license issued by DAR is required for all commercial fishing activities. This fishery corresponds to the following fishing method(s) defined by DAR: trap/trap fishing (crab trap). Hawaii Administrative Rules specify a minimum mesh size for traps: netting must be a minimum of 2 inches stretched mesh, and rigid material must be a minimum of 2 inches by 1 inch. Entrance cones for traps have no minimum mesh size. Traps must be portable and not exceed 10 feet in length or 6 feet in height or width.
Historical Information
Original Category (Year added to the LOF) |
III (1996) |
Original Number of Participants |
22 |
Basis for Original Classification |
Fishery added to the LOF as Category III fishery in 1996 with no details given. |
Past Names |
None |
Species/stocks historically documented as killed or injured (but not currently on the list) |
N/A |
Timeline of Changes
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
References
Bradford, A.L. and E. Lyman. 2015. Injury determinations for humpback whales and other cetaceans reported to NOAA Response Networks in the Hawaiian Islands during 2007-2012. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-PIFSC-45. 29 p.