RULE CHANGES IN EFFECT FOR KAHULUI HARBOR FISHERIES

New rules are in effect in the Kahului harbor fisheries management area to reduce fishing conflicts. Rule changes prohibit net use, establish a daily bag limit of 50 specimens per person, prohibit snagging, limit pole fishing to two poles per person, and require persons fishing to sign in and out and fill out fishing reports when leaving.

Kahului Harbor Fisher Check in Station. Photo Courtesy State Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has began implementing rule changes on August 4 for are of Kahului Harbor that is bounded by the seaward edges of the breakwaters.

The revisions to the existing HAR Chapter 13-51 now require fishers to check-in, check-out and file catch reports; prohibit most netting; and set new bag limits.

“These rule changes are the result of years of discussions with various harbor user groups and a public hearing held last year in May. They were developed to address concerns of various groups that use the harbor and to help effectively deal with different fishing activities in the harbor,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson.

“Our aquatic resources and enforcement staff will continue to meet with fishers to provide information about the fisheries management area, especially the check-in procedures that will allow us to better monitor fishing effort and success.  The fishing reports will provide information which we can use to better manage fisheries in the harbor and perhaps other areas of the state,” Thielen said.

The rule changes generally restrict net use, establish a daily bag limit of 50 specimens per person, prohibit snagging, limit pole fishing to two poles per person, and require persons fishing to sign in and out and fill out fishing reports when leaving.

No netting will be allowed, except:

• To use a bait net to take nehu and other baitfish, with a nehu commercial baitfish license.
• To use a net, except lay net, to take akule with a valid commercial marine license.
• To use a landing net to secure hooked marine life.
• To use a push or hand net while on shore to take shrimp or other marine life, provided the net, including handle, is no more than three feet in any dimension.
• To use up to ten crab nets not more than two feet in diameter to take crabs.
• To use a net to take mullet less than three inches fork length for stocking an aquaculture facility, with a aquaculture facility license.

Department of Transportation rules for the harbor remain in effect and are not affected by this fisheries rule.

Check-in and reporting requirements:

Individuals and groups entering the FMA to take marine life must follow check-in and reporting requirements posted at either of two green fisher check-in stations on site: one is near the boat ramp on the west breakwall, and one at the end of Pu’unene avenue on the beach near pier 2.   Fishers must sign in on a clipboard and then sign out when finished fishing, and submit a fishing report form. There is a mailbox to put completed forms.

Prohibited activities in the Kahului FMA are as follows:

• Lay net, surround nets, throw nets, and nehu baitfish nets will not be allowed
• To take or possess a total of more than 50 specimens of marine life per person per day, except baitfish or akule with the proper license.
• To snag any marine life, meaning to hook or attempt to hook a fish on any part of its body elsewhere than its mouth.
• To use more than two poles with one line and up to two hooks per pole, each hook having only one point.

For a copy of the Kahului Harbor Fisheries Management Area rules go to the Division of Aquatics Resources (DAR) website at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/regulated_areas_maui.html#kahului_harbor, or contact the Maui DAR office at (808) 243-5294.

(Posted by Wendy Osher, Friday, August 14, 2009; Information provided by the State Department of Land and Natural Resources)