75% Of 55 Fish Species Surveyed Off HI Islands "Critical Or Depleted" - Reef Fish #s Falling Fast

[hatrack]

EDIT

The study also found that Hawaii's unreported recreational fisheries for reef fish and deep-dwelling bottom fish was equivalent to the total reported commercial catch.

"Overfishing is often disputed in Hawaii and elsewhere because catch data is underreported or spotty," Friedlander said. The study, conducted by Friedlander and his colleagues from the Oceanic Institute and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's biogeography branch on Oahu, got around this problem by diving into the water and meticulously counting fish.

Teams of divers looked at 55 species of fish found on coral reefs around the main Hawaiian Islands as well as the remote and largely un-fished northwestern Hawaiian Islands, which lie hundreds of miles north and west of Kauai. Comparing the fish counts at both places, the divers determined that 75% of the species around the main islands, such as Oahu, Maui and the Big Island, were in critical condition or depleted. Another 11% were below desirable levels.

Friedlander said Hawaii would be well served by tightening fishing regulations and setting aside protected no-fishing reserves to conserve coral reefs, helping to ensure that reef fish don't disappear for future generations.

EDIT

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-reef9-2008jul09,0,6796382.story

[dysfunctional press]

1. i'm glad that i got a lot of my diving days in 15-20 years ago...

things seem to be going downhill fast.