Hawaii Rod and Reel Fishery - MMPA List of Fisheries
U.S. fisheries are classified under the Marine Mammal Protection Act according to the level of interactions that result in incidental mortality or serious injury of marine mammals.
Current Classification on the List of Fisheries
Category |
III |
Estimated Number of Participants |
246 |
Target Species |
Various reef and pelagic fish |
Applicable Take Reduction Plans |
N/A |
Observer Coverage |
Not observed |
Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured |
None Documented |
Basis for Current Classification
Several species of odontocetes have been reported as depredating bait or catch from hook-and-line fisheries (Shallenberger, 1981; Nitta and Henderson, 1993). Depredation behavior may increase the risk of marine mammals becoming hooked or entangled. Stranding records and other information suggest several marine mammal species may be killed or injured in unidentified hook-and-line fisheries (Bradford and Lyman, 2015; Baird et al., 2014). However, at this time, no serious injuries or mortalities to any marine mammal have been attributed to commercial rod and reel fishing. Based on an evaluation of information available at this time, there is a remote likelihood of marine mammal serious injuries or mortalities in this fishery.
Distribution
Fishing can occur in both state and federal waters, in all seasons with trips typically lasting less than a day, although larger vessels may make multi-day trips. In 2013, there were 1,817 fishing trips that reported using rod and reel gear.
Gear Description
Fishing from shore or from an anchored or drifting vessel, typically with a spinning or casting reel with baited hooks or lures.
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). Hook-and-line gear is listed as allowable gear to harvest Hawaii coral reef ecosystem MUS in federal waters. The FEP for Pacific Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region may also apply if pelagic species are harvested in this fishery.
The Council recommends and NOAA Fisheries approves annual catch limits (ACLs) for most coral reef MUS, therefore species harvested using this gear may be subject to ACLs.
A commercial marine license issued by Hawaii DAR is required for all commercial fishing activities. This fishery corresponds to the following fishing method(s) defined by DAR: casting.
Historical Information
Original Category (Year added to the LOF) |
III (1996) |
Original Number of Participants |
1,795 |
Basis for Original Classification |
Listed as Category III because the fishery was expected to have a remote likelihood of incidental serious injury or mortality of marine mammals. |
Past Names |
Split from “HI trolling, rod and reel” in 2015. |
Species/stocks historically documented as killed or injured (but not currently on the list) |
N/A |
Timeline of Changes
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
|
History of Changes on the LOF for the “HI trolling, rod and reel” fishery prior to being split on the 2015 LOF |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
2006 |
|
References
Baird, R.W., S.D. Mahaffy, A.M. Gorgone, T.Cullins, D.J. McSweeney, E.M. Oleson, A.L. Bradford, J.Barlow, and A.N. Zerbini. 2014. Evidence of high levels of fisheries interactions for false killer whales around the main Hawaiian Islands: Variations by social groups and correlation with increased mortality levels. PSRG-2014-15. 10 p.
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.
Nitta, E.T. and J.R. Henderson. 1993. A review of interactions between Hawaii’s fisheries and protected species. Marine Fisheries Review 55(2): 83-92.
Shallenberger, E.W. 1981. The status of Hawaiian cetaceans. Final Report to U.S. Marine Mammal Commission, MMC-77/23. 79 p.