Saving Seafood

Meetings in Hawaii Set On Marine Monument

July 19, 2016 — It’s official. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have scheduled two public meetings next month on the proposed expansion of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.

As Civil Beat reported last week, the feds want public input on U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz’ proposal to expand the monument around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands from its current 50-mile boundary out to the full 200-mile limit that’s under exclusive U.S. control.

“It’s really important for people to have an opportunity to be heard,” Schatz said in a statement Monday. “I am grateful to President Obama and his Administration for accepting my invitation to hear directly from Hawai‘i residents before making any decisions.”

Read the full story at the Honolulu Civil Beat

Feds Want Public Input On Marine Monument Expansion

July 15, 2016 — Federal officials plan to hold two public meetings next month — one on Oahu and the other on Kauai — to discuss the proposed expansion of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, according to a draft notice that’s expected to go out Friday.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii submitted a proposal June 16 that asks President Obama to consider using his executive authority to expand the monument fourfold around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

The current 50-mile boundary around the islands, which President George W. Bush established in 2006, encompasses 139,800 square miles. Schatz’s proposed expansion out to 200 miles for most of the reserve would protect 582,578 square miles.

Commercial fishermen and restaurant owners have come out against the proposal, saying it restricts access to an area where fishermen catch on average 8 percent of their annual haul of bigeye tuna. 

Conservationists and scientists have said it’s critical to preserve this pristine area for the sake of the species that live there — known and yet to be discovered — as well as combating the effects of climate change.

Both sides have said they want a public input process to let the administration know what’s at stake. The process isn’t required by law, but it appears the feds have heard their call.

The first meeting is slated for 5 p.m., Aug. 1, at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu. The second is set for 4 p.m., Aug. 2, at the Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center. Both are anticipated to be three hours long.

Read the full story in the Honolulu Civil Beat

Proposal would expand marine conservation area in Northwest Hawaiian islands

June 17, 2016 — U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz is proposing to expand one of the world’s largest marine conservation areas in a way that preserves some fishing grounds for local fishermen.

The proposal submitted to President Barack Obama today would make the monument near Hawaii the largest protected marine area in the world.

It reflects a smaller protected area than what was originally sought by Native Hawaiians, who consider the remote islands, atolls and coral reefs found within the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument sacred.

“I think it’s a really good compromise to help alleviate some of the concerns that were raised on Kauai by the fishing community about their access to the waters that are surrounding Papahanaumokuakea,” said Sol Kahoohalahla, a member of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Native Hawaiian Cultural Working Group, which pushed for expansion.

Even so, important fishing grounds would still be lost, said Sean Martin, president of the Hawaii Longline Association, which includes about 140 vessels. About 8 to 12 percent of the fish caught by Hawaii longline fishermen comes from waters in the proposed protected area, he said.

“We’ve been operating there for many, many decades and the place is still pristine,” Martin said. “I’m sorry but I don’t get it.”

Read the full story from the Associated Press at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Senator Brian Schatz Releases Marine Reserve Plan

June 17, 2016 — U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz made the proposal to expand the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument official Thursday in a letter to President Barack Obama. Schatz called for the monument to grow to 582,578 square miles, which would make it the world’s largest marine protected area.

Parts of the monument would extend from shore by 200 miles to the limit of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, while other parts would have their boundaries maintained to provide “access for local fishermen on Kauai and Niihau” according to a press release from the senator’s office.

Schatz said he and his staff met with Gov. David Ige, state Senate President Ron Kouchi, Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to discuss their concerns.

“With their feedback, Schatz developed the proposal sent to the president,” the release said.

A large group of state lawmakers, including Kouchi, recently wrote a letter to Obama opposing the possible expansion.

Read the full story at Civil Beat