Hawaii Inshore Purse Seine Fishery - MMPA List of Fisheries

Current Classification on the List of Fisheries

^ Number of participants estimates are based on state and federal fisheries permit data.  The estimated number of participants is expressed in terms of the number of active participants in the fishery, when possible.  If this information is not available, the estimated number of vessels or persons licensed for a particular fishery is provided. If no recent information is available on the number of participants, then the number from the most recent LOF is used.  NOAA Fisheries acknowledges that, in some cases, these estimations may be inflating actual effort.

*Observer coverage levels include the latest information reported in the most current final Stock Assessment Report (SAR).

¹ Indicates the stock or species is driving the classification of the fishery.

Basis for Current Classification

There are no known incidental mortalities or serious injuries of marine mammals in this fishery, and there is a remote likelihood of marine mammal interactions based on low fishing effort and selectivity of the gear (set on fish schools).

Distribution

Primarily conducted in state waters. Generally conducted in coastal or nearshore areas and can take place throughout the year. To protect confidentiality, the number of fishing trips that reported using inshore purse seines in 2013 cannot be reported.

Gear Description

Fishing with a net that is used to surround a school of fish, e.g., akule (bigeye scad), and is closed by drawing the bottom of the net together to form a bag.

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). Purse seine gear that is attended at all times is listed as allowable gear to harvest Hawaii coral reef ecosystem MUS in federal waters.

The Council recommends and NOAA Fisheries approves annual catch limits (ACLs) for most coral reef MUS including akule, so species harvested using this gear may be subject to ACLs.

A commercial marine license (CML) issued by DAR is required for all commercial fishing activities. This fishery corresponds to the following fishing method(s) defined by DAR: purse seine net. Under Hawaii Administrative Rules, it is unlawful for any person without a valid CML to take akule with any net that has less than 2-3/4” stretched mesh. It is also unlawful to take akule less than 8.5 inches with net from July – October or possess or sell more than 200 lbs of akule less than 8.5 inches per day during July – October.

Historical Information

Timeline of Changes