Fishermen as Part of the Solution

Fishermen a Part of the Solution

Cooperative research between fishermen and scientists provide more than just good science. This partnership is becoming more common in the Pacific Islands and has proven to be a valuable tool to today’s fishery managers. Integrating modern science and traditional fishing practices based on empirical knowledge creates resource ownership, deeper understanding and exchange between scientists and fishermen in addition to sound information for fishery management.

The Pacific Island Fisheries Group (PIFG), through a Cooperative Research Program (CRP) initiative with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), works to assist in achieving four goals: 1) Implement a pilot fishery-independent survey for bottomfishing; 2) Expand bottomfish tagging in Hawaii and Guam; 3) Facilitate fishery-dependent bio-sampling of bottomfish to support life history research; and 4) Educate the community about the value of these efforts.

1)      The Fishery-Independent survey utilized six highly experienced captains and four trained observers to conduct the fishery-independent bottomfish research in Hawaii and Guam. To date, four single-day and four-multi day trip day observer trips from Oahu and Maui were conducted. All fishing trips yielded targeted species, however landing success varied with weather conditions. Twelve observer trips were conducted on Galvez Bank off Guam over a two-week period in Jyly 2010, during which 83 NOAA-selected sites were fished. Data analysis focuses on the correlation between landing levels and sea conditions.

2)       The expansion of the bottomfish tagging program in Hawaii targeted six snappers and one grouper, also known as the bottomfish deep-7 species. PIFG developed tagging protocols, purchased and distributed 4,000 dart tags to 22 trained fishermen statewide and established a customized database. To date, 3,100 fish have been tagged in Hawaiian waters. Seventy five recoveries were recorded using both “purge and or drop shot” techniques, 30 opakapaka recoveries were re-released, and four recovered opakapaka “traveled between islands.”

3)       Collection of bottomfish bio-samples through the local fishing community was initiated to support the NMFS life history program. PIFG worked with NMFS to help identify bottomfish species and targeted size classes to address specific data gaps. PIFG facilitated fishermen networks, sampling, storage and shipment protocols and a reward program to encourage fishing community participation.

4)       PIFG launched an education and outreach program to support bottomfish tag recoveries, bio-sampling and overall bottomfish research efforts which have resulted in new partnerships among similar research programs.