#DAR
Death of monk seal underscores importance of responsible fishing practices
The recent death of RS34, a two-year-old female Hawaiian monk seal known as Moana, was the result of paddle-out or drone-out fishing using a “jug rig” variant, according to wildlife officials.
Corals damaged by yacht returned to Honolua Bay following rehabilitation
Rehabilitated coral fragments damaged by a grounded luxury yacht more than two years ago were returned yesterday to Honolua Bay on Maui’s northwestern coast.
Peak pupping season underway for endangered Hawaiian monk seals
Thirty-four Hawaiian monk seal pups were born in the main Hawaiian Islands in 2024, and three pups have already been born this year. Officials say the public should give mothers with pups at least 150 feet of space on land and in the water—moms can be protective if they think you’re too close.
Fishers encouraged to weigh in on Reef Habitat Plan to improve fish habitat
The local fishing community is encouraged to help shape the future of nearshore fishing in Hawaiʻi, by engaging with the Reef Habitat Plan, a statewide initiative to improve nearshore fish habitat in areas of need.
Maui fishers hope new proposal will ensure there’s enough catch to go around
A team of fishers and marine resource advocates are working to overhaul reef fishing rules — but they say it needs to come with tougher penalties.
‘Marine Science Night’ debuts July 27
Maui Ocean Center will host its inaugural “Marine Science Night” from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 27, highlighting ocean-themed careers, internships and volunteer opportunities.
DLNR: Search and destroy mission combats non-native corals
Expecting to only remove two species of non-native coral, a team from the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), ended up extracting four coral colonies from one of the longest and widest fringing reef in Hawai‘i on Thursday.
Ocean Stewardship Fee now in place; expected to generate up to $5M annually for restoration and outreach projects
At the start of 2024, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources implemented an Ocean Stewardship Fee Program to help fund projects to protect marine resources. The Aloha I Ke Kai program collects a one dollar fee from passengers and customers that board boats with commercial use permits.
Meeting on recovery, operational updates at Lahaina Harbor, Māla Wharf scheduled Nov. 1
The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources is hosting an informational meeting on Nov. 1 to provide recovery and operational updates for Lahaina Harbor and Māla Wharf.
Sophisticated instruments gathering long term ocean water data near Lahaina fire
To measure the longterm affects of the Lahaina fire on nearby ocean waters, scientists are using three sophisticated sampling instruments that are on loan from the US Geological Survey.
Luxury Yacht Owner to Pay $100,000 for Coral Damage
The state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted Friday to impose a $100,000 fine on the owners of a luxury yacht that damaged hundreds of coral colonies when its anchor swung through the coral bed during an incident in October of 2018 at Kailua Bay on Hawai’i island.
