Hawaii Shrimp Trap 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

No mortalities or serious injuries of marine mammal have been documented in this fishery. From 2008-2012, four humpback whales were reported as entangled in Hawaii trap/pot gear (Bradford and Lyman, 2015). However, none of these have been attributed to the Hawaii shrimp trap fishery (Bradford and Lyman, 2015). 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. Shrimp traps targeting Heterocarpus spp. shrimp target depths of 1800 – 2100 ft. In 2013, there were 197 shrimp trap trips, 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.

Heterocarpus shrimp are a federally managed complex caught by traps, and are subject to annual catch limits. The Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Hawaii Archipelago and implementing regulations under 50 CFR 665.240 through 665.259 also requires a crustacean permit to fish for deepwater shrimp (Heterocarpus spp.) in the U.S. EEZ around the main Hawaiian Islands.

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 (shrimp 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

Timeline of Changes

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.