Saving Seafood

Hawaiʻi’s endangered false killer whales show signs of nutritional stress

June 5, 2026 — Some of Hawaiʻi’s endangered false killer whales are rapidly losing weight, a warning sign that warming oceans and limited prey may be pushing one of the nation’s smallest whale populations closer to extinction, according to research published in Endangered Species Research by a team including scientists from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

The findings provide the first quantitative evidence that nutritional stress and competition with fisheries may be accelerating the decline of this iconic population, which now numbers fewer than 140 individuals.

The research—a partnership between the Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF), Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP) at UH Mānoa Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology and Okinawa Churashima Foundation—utilized high-resolution drone photogrammetry to track 68 whales (roughly half the remaining population) between 2019 and 2025.

Read the full article at the University of Hawaii News

Hawaii false killer whales could go extinct by midcentury

August 18, 2025 — A unique species of endangered Pacific dolphin off Hawaii are declining at a faster rate than once thought, with the largest distinct population segment expected to drop below 100 individuals by the mid-2030s, according to new NOAA research.

Scientists from NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center and other institutions found that between 1999 and 2022, the population of protected dolphins — known as “false killer whales” — shrunk by 3.5 percent annually. That trajectory places the species on a likely path to extinction by midcentury.

Roughly 132 individuals are believed to have lived in the population segment closest to Hawaii’s main islands in 2022, compared to as many as 190 in 2015.

Read the full article at E&E News

The Endangered Population of False Killer Whales in the Main Hawaiian Islands is Declining

August 15, 2025 — Three false killer whale populations occur in the waters of Hawaiʻi. There are two island-associated populations—one around the main Hawaiian islands and another around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands—and a broadly ranging pelagic population. The small main Hawaiian Islands insular distinct population segment of false killer whales was listed as endangered in 2012 and faces multiple ongoing threats. Evidence suggests—based on high rates of dorsal fin and mouthline injuries—that fisheries interactions represent one of the most significant threats to this population. This threat may also act synergistically with other threats, such as exposure to pollutants and reduced genetic diversity, on the insular population. Scientists at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center led the development of a new method to more accurately estimate the size of the main Hawaiian Islands insular false killer whale population by incorporating animal movement.

We analyzed photos of dorsal fins of 202 main Hawaiian Islands insular false killer whales encountered over 20 years (1999–2022) and movements from 53 satellite tags deployed from 2007–2022. We found that the population numbered 139 whales in 2022 and declined by 3.5 percent per year during the last 10 years of the study. Our findings provide the first reliable trend estimate for the population since it was listed as endangered and suggest the population will number fewer than 100 individuals within 10 years.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries 

Report: Hawaiʻi’s False Killer Whales Trending Toward Extinction

August 14, 2025 — Thirteen years ago, the Main Hawaiian Islands’ dwindling population of false killer whales was officially declared endangered, a move intended to help their numbers recover after years of getting hooked and tangled in nets, mostly set by nearshore commercial fishers.

But instead of rebounding, a new report finds, the vulnerable group has only continued to shrink at a troubling pace.

The report, published Thursday in the journal Endangered Species Research, estimates that the unique population of false killer whales inhabiting the waters around the main islands has shrunk from about 184 individuals in 2012, when it was listed under the Endangered Species Act, to 139 members in 2022.

That’s an average population loss of 3.5% a year at a time when federal and state fisheries managers were supposed to be taking meaningful steps to better protect the mammals and boost their numbers.

Read the full article at Civil Beats

Fishing Gear Threatens Hawaiʻiʻs Already Endangered False Killer Whales

December 12, 2024 — A concerningly high number of endangered false killer whales are being injured when they get hooked by fishing gear in waters off the main Hawaiian islands, according to a new research paper released Thursday.

Published in the scientific journal Endangered Species Research, the research concludes there should be closer monitoring of that unique but dwindling local population and how the creatures — actually dolphins, not whales, and not killers — interact with the small-scale commercial and recreational boats that fish in those waters.

That could include installing cameras to record encounters with the false killer whales, which feed on the same large fish those boats catch and often go after what is already on the hook, said Robin Baird, a research biologist with the nonprofit Cascadia Research Collective, which led the study.

Read the full article at Civil Beats

WPFMC trying to tackle suite of issues, criticizes lack of NOAA support

April 8, 2022 — The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (WPFMC) is trying to tackle multiple problems faced in its jurisdiction, including ineffective whale bycatch solutions, U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultations, creating more-equitable fisheries, and issues regarding fishery rights in American Samoa.

The council has been working to tackle how to handle false killer whale bycatch in the region’s tuna fisheries – mainly in Hawai’i and American Samoa. In 2013, a plan to use weaker circle hooks that are 4.5 millimeters or less in diameter was created. The weaker hooks were supposed straighten and release whales caught while still remaining strong enough to hook bigeye tuna and other marketable fish species.

Read the full story at SeafoodSource

 

Western Pacific Council Supports Protection of False Killer Whales, Leads US Fisheries Interests in Pacific

March 24, 2022 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council discussed today its position on the future direction for the False Killer Whale (FKW) Take Reduction Plan and agreed to not support adoption of weaker hooks under the Plan due to the potential economic impacts and lack of clear conservation benefit. 

Fishermen are required to use 4.5 mm or less diameter circle hooks intended to straighten and release accidentally hooked FKWs, while retaining bigeye tuna and other fish species of market value. However, this weak hook has not been successful, with only approximately 10% of the interactions resulting in the hook straightening since the Plan’s implementation in 2013. A 2021 study showed that the weight and value of bigeye tuna may be reduced if even weaker hooks are required in the fishery. 

“Weak hooks are not the best way to reduce the false killer whale interactions with the Hawai‘i fleet,” emphasized Roger Dang, Council vice chair for Hawai‘i. “Considering the prices of fuel and bait are up, any economic impacts from using weaker hooks would increase the difficulties in operating under these conditions. We need to focus our limited resources on what we believe will have the greatest impact.”

Council member McGrew Rice pointed out that a weak circle hook will not straighten if the hook is caught in the corner of the animal’s mouth. “The key is to cut the line close to the hook. A hook in a mouth will not kill a fish.”

The Council said the Plan’s priority should be to develop strategies to reduce trailing gear and find solutions to reduce depredation based on the latest FKW abundance estimates and other factors. The Council’s position was also based on input from its advisory groups. 

The Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery interacts with the pelagic population of FKWs, estimated to be approximately 25,000 in the central Pacific around Hawai‘i, with 2,100 individuals estimated to occur inside the three to 200-mile exclusive economic zone around the State.

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Council members expressed frustration at the continued delay of the Endangered Species Act consultations for the Hawai‘i deep-set longline (DSLL), American Samoa longline (ASLL), and Hawai‘i and territory bottomfish fisheries. Completion dates have been shifting with every Council meeting report for the last two years. Michael Tosatto, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regional administrator for the Pacific Islands, reported that the current dates presented at the meeting (April to May 2022) are unlikely to be met. Apparently  reported that the current dates presented at the meeting (April to May 2022) are unlikely to be met. Apparently internal and external review steps are required. The Council asked NMFS to provide a timeline for Council’s draft review to assist with planning for advisory body meeting schedules.

Call for US Government to Work Better with Pacific Island Nations

The Council, with representatives from U.S. tuna industries, developed a paper that calls for a task force of federal agencies to work together to implement a new Pacific strategy. The paper’s holistic approach addresses greater U.S. trade and national security interests and how they are tied to the prosperity of U.S. tuna fisheries in the Pacific.

The Council endorsed the new Pacific strategy and recommended the U.S. delegations to the WCPFC coordinate with longline and purse seine fishing industries to implement it. Coordination efforts should lead toward an increase in the Hawai‘i longline fishery’s bigeye tuna quota and enhance opportunities for the American Samoa longline and purse seine fisheries. The U.S. government should ensure U.S. Pacific Island Territories take an active role in developing and implementing these objectives.

In American Samoa, Starkist cannery is the largest private employer. Will Sword, Council vice chair for American Samoa, noted the Council’s Pacific strategy is just what is needed. “It’s imperative to get the U.S. government and state and territory governments working closely with other Pacific Islands to implement a strategy that meets our goals,” said Sword.

“The current playing field is not level for American Samoa because our purse seine fleet is not seeing the benefits that we deserve as a territory” added Archie Soliai, Council chair from American Samoa. “The United States should take seriously the needs of its territories and this plan will help to move this forward.”

The Council recommended a letter be sent to the State Department and NOAA expressing concerns regarding the lack of acknowledgement of American Samoa’s rights afforded to small island developing States (SIDS) in the WCPFC. Under Articles 30 and 43 of the WCPFC Convention, SIDS and Territories receive certain benefits recognizing their aspirations and sovereign rights to manage their own fisheries. They are entitled to special provisions to prevent “disproportionate burdens” from conservation action.

The Council also recommended a letter be sent to the Biden Administration in response to its request for comment on development of its Indo-Pacific Strategy. The letter should reinforce the importance of fisheries to the Pacific Islands and the uniqueness of the Pacific Islands to the Indo-Pacific.

The Council meeting concludes tomorrow with discussions on American Samoa bottomfish and aquaculture management, and equity and environmental justice efforts, among other topics. Instructions on connecting to Webex, agendas and briefing documents are posted at www.wpcouncil.org/meetings-calendars. 

 

Scientists Say NMFS Study Determined to be Inconclusive in Western Pacific Longline Fishery

March 18, 2022 — Sorry, Charlie: Weak hooks in the Hawai’i deep-set longline fishery for bigeye tuna won’t reduce impacts to false killer whales, scientists said when they met virtually this week.

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee found that a National Marine Fisheries Service 2021 “weak hook” study was inconclusive. Further, it did not provide scientific support for adopting weaker hooks as the primary strategy for reducing impacts to false killer whales, the WPRFMC said in a press release.

The study investigated the economic impacts of existing weak (4.5 mm diameter) and comparatively weaker (4.2 mm) hooks on target catch, primarily bigeye tuna. The study results showed the weight and value of bigeye tuna was higher for those caught on existing hooks than the weaker hooks.

Read the full story at Seafood News

Hawaii’s longline community scrambles to outfish false killer whales

March 16, 2022 — Those at the forefront of managing Hawaii’s deep-sea fishing industry are meeting this week in hopes of figuring out how to deal with their catch being seized off their lines.

It’s one of the issues facing the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, which oversees Hawaii’s longline vessels that bring in the ahi supply for the state and parts of the U.S. mainland.

Over the last several years, the council says its seen more cases of false killer whales, actually a species of dolphin, snatching fish right off a hook.

In years’ past, they’ve run into similar issues with seabirds and turtles, but gear has since been adapted.

Read the full story at Hawaii News Now

Western Pacific Scientists Found “Weak Hook” Study Inconclusive as a False Killer Whale Mitigation Strategy

March 16, 2022 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) found that a National Marine Fisheries Service 2021 “weak hook” study was inconclusive and did not provide scientific support for adopting weaker hooks as the primary strategy for reducing impacts to false killer whales (FKWs) in the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery. The study investigated the economic impacts of existing weak (4.5 mm diameter) and comparatively weaker (4.2 mm) hooks on target catch, primarily bigeye tuna. The study results showed the weight and value of bigeye tuna was higher for those caught on existing hooks than the weaker hooks. 

The SSC noted that the weak hook approach is a flawed strategy that has been ineffective, highly stressful to FKWs and dangerous for fishermen as it necessitates creating tension on the line to attempt hook straightening. FKWs may become hooked on longline fishing gear because the whales feed on bait and fish caught on the line. Interactions between the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery and FKWs are rare—on average less than 10 are observed hooked or entangled each year.

SSC members reiterated their previous position that a better strategy would be to cut the line as close to the hook as possible so that the animal can be released quickly with minimal trailing gear that may cause further injury. “Gear release mechanisms that slide down the fishing line to cut near the hook are undergoing development and would be a better option than using weaker hooks,” said David Itano. “The fleet’s transition to monofilament nylon leaders is a game changer,” added Craig Severance. “It will allow fishermen to use simpler, less expensive line-cutting devices.”

Under the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan, fishermen are required to use 4.5 mm or less diameter wire hooks intended to straighten and release accidentally hooked FKWs, while retaining bigeye tuna and other fish species of market value. However, this weak hook has not been successful, with only approximately 10% of the interactions resulting in the hook straightening since the Plan’s implementation in 2013.

The SSC also heard a report on American Samoa Bottomfish Fisherman Data Workshops held in February 2022. SSC members emphasized that the information gleaned from these workshops would be helpful for the 2023 stock assessment.

The workshops highlighted several data issues, such as difficulties with distinguishing between similar species and gaps in data caused by lack of data collection, not lack in catches. Workshop participants included commercial and noncommercial fishermen, village leadership, and American Samoa Dept. of Marine and Wildlife Resources, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center and Council staffs. Fishermen provided both current and historical (1960s and ‘70s) bottomfish fishery insights that will help scientists to resolve discrepancies in the data for the 11 managed bottomfish species.

The SSC meeting continues tomorrow with discussions on 2021 Hawai‘i and American Samoa longline fishery status, area-based management and a new Pacific strategy for addressing international fishery management issues.