Hawaii Lift Net 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 |
14 |
Target Species |
Opelu, baitfish |
Applicable Take Reduction Plans |
None |
Observer Coverage |
Not observed |
Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured |
None documented |
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 because the fishing gear is actively fished and highly selective (net is raised beneath a school of fish).
Distribution
Fishing can occur in state or federal waters. The fishery generally occurs in nearshore coastal areas but also in proximity to offshore Fish Aggregation Devices. In 2013, there were 810 fishing trips that reported using lift net gear.
Gear Description
Fishing with a net that captures fish by raising the net from beneath a school of fish. Normally fish are encouraged over and into the net with chum.
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). Lift net is not a gear type specifically allowed 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 opelu, so species harvested using this gear 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: lift net.
Historical Information
Original Category (Year added to the LOF) |
III (1996) |
Original Number of Participants |
16 |
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. No observer, logbook, or stranding data were available. |
Past Names |
HI opelu/akule net (until 2015). |
Species/stocks historically documented as killed or injured (but not currently on the list) |
N/A |
Timeline of Changes
2023 |
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2022 |
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2016 |
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2015 |
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2013 |
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2012 |
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2011 |
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2006 |
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