New Bottomfishing Rules Explained at State Workshop

By Sonia Isotov

In preparation for the Sept 1 opening of the main Hawaiian Islands bottomfish fishery, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) are hosting three free public workshops on the new regulations.

The workshops are sponsored by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

In addition to interactive booth with information on the new state annual bottom fish vessel registration and reporting requirements, there will be information on the changes to the bottomfish Deep-7 annual quota, from a total allowable catch (TAC) to an annual catch limit (ACL). and what this means. A forum will also be conducted by Council staff on the options for non-commercial fishery data collection.

Locations and dates for the remaining statewide workshops are:

• Thursday, August 11, 2011, Paia, Maui, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Paia Community Center, Paia
• Tuesday, August 16, 2011, Molokai, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Hale Kulana Oiwi Multi-Cultural Center, Molokai
• Thursday, August 18, 2011, Lanai, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Lanai Community Center, Lanai 

For more information about the Federal regulations call National Marine Fisheries Service (808) 944-2200 or Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (808) 522-8220.

For new State commercial bottomfish report requirements and annual bottomfish vessel registration, call (808) 587-0084. All other new state bottom fish regulation questions, please call (808) 587-0092.

Call the Division of Aquatic Resources at (808) 587-0084 for information about the new State commercial bottomfish reporting requirements and annual bottomfish vessel registration.  Call (808) 587-0092 for questions about all other new state bottomfish regulations.