KAHEA supports an immediate and total ban on the use of all lay gill nets throughout Hawai?i for the following reasons: --Lay nets capture more fish than a person needs in a given day, --They are indiscriminate and they compromise replenishment. --They destroy habitat, even with best practices. --They are dangerous to endangered and threatened marine mammals and marine resources are already stressed. --There is not enough enforcement to adequately patrol limits to this controversial practice.

DLNR's proposed rules are a critical first step and it is very important that you weigh in with your support. If you also support a ban, you can indicate that in your comments.

What is the current condition of Hawai'i's coral reefs? There is clear evidence that the health of Hawaii?s coral reef ecosystems is in a prolonged, steep decline. Commercial catch data suggests that important near shore reef fish species, such as moi (Polydactylus sexfilis) and km(Parupeneus porphyreus) have declined at least 75% over the past 100 years. A recent study found similar declines in the health of Hawaii?s coral reefs, finding that they were 60% of the way toward ecological extinction. If we do not change the way we manage our nearshore reefs and reef fisheries, there is no reason to expect the decline to stop. Meanwhile, this continuing decline has an enormous impact on local, subsistence, and recreational fishermen, and coastal fishing communities statewide. K?puna fisher?men remember when the fish populations around the main Hawaiian Islands were similar to those found in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, with large, diverse reef fish populations and abundant large predators. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case.

Why is the health of the coral reef important? Coral reefs formed the foundation of ancient Hawaiians' relationship to the ocean. The coral polyp is the first living thing mentioned in the Kumulipo, the Hawaiian chant of creation, indicating its fundamental significance in the Hawaiian Universe. Today, coral reefs are also economically important, contributing more than $350 million annually to Hawai'i's economy in the form of fish and other food, recreation, tourism, and ecological services related to coastal protection. Hawai'i's reefs are ecologically unique as well, with more than 25% of our reef species found nowhere else on earth. This means that if we lose them here, they are gone from the world forever.

Why are lay gill nets a concern? While any fishing method used inappropriately can lead to overfishing, some forms pose greater threats than others. Monofilament lay gill nets were introduced to the Hawaiian Islands from Asia in the 1950s. They are now commonly used throughout the islands because they are relatively cheap to purchase, and can ensnare almost any?thing that swims into them. It is not uncommon for them to be strung together for hundreds, even thousands, of feet and left unattended in nearshore waters for several hours to overnight. When lay gill nets are used in these ways, they are known to:

--Harvest huge numbers of finfish. --Harvest fish out of season, taking keiki, spawning, and the larger, older fishes critical to reef fish replenishment. --Remove species that play a key role in the health of the reef system, such as uhu (Chlorurus & Scarus spp.) and 'api (Acanthurus guttatus) which feed upon algae and enable hard corals to recruit and grow. The removal of herbivorous fish leads to an increase in macroalgae, which overgrow and smother coral reefs. --Damage coral and seagrass beds if not set or removed with care, removing critical nursery, foraging, spawning, and refuge areas for fish and shellfish. --Catch marine turtles frequenting inshore seagrass and beach areas to rest, feed, and nest with some regularity. Monk seals are susceptible to entrapment in torn nets, or ?ghost nets,? that float freely in the waters of both the main Hawaiian Islands and the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. --Become lost or abandoned, continuing to wastefully catch and kill as ghost-nets in the ocean.

The reproductive nature of reef fish makes the limited control in the size and age of species caught with lay gill nets a significant problem. Many species reach sexual maturity late in life (e.g.,[Myripristis spp.] at age 7), or contribute higher numbers of bigger and better quality eggs when larger and older (e.g., milu [Caranx melampygus] and moi). However, these larger fish are often caught with lay nets and other forms of more selective fishing, leading to the continued decline in overall species abundance.

Has the use of monofilament lay gill nets changed traditional fishing practices? Yes. Native Hawaiians used hand?made, natural fiber nets, which were time-consuming to make, designed to catch targeted species, and biodegradable. It is very unlikely that they were ever left unattended or overnight because the risk of losing them was too great. Traditional Hawaiian management practices were based on knowledge of the marine resources and customs to maintain the productivity of the coral reef fisheries. A kapu was placed on a fishery if it was declining or in years of poor recruitment to ensure that there would be fish in the future. Even today, some k?puna still refer to the ocean as "the icebox," where they went to catch fish for their family to eat. It was in their best interest to ensure that there was fish for tomorrow, as well as today

Because of the drastic reduction in the overall numbers of fish on Hawaii?s reefs, and the indiscriminate nature of lay gill nets, their use has also made it more difficult to practice and to teach keiki traditional fishing methods.

Do other factors contribute to the problem? Yes. Land-based sources of pollution, sedimentation, stream alteration, and coastal develop?ment can cause siltation and changes in water quality which may weaken and kill corals. Natural occurrences, such as hurricanes, can also impact coral reefs and associated fish stocks. However, healthy coral reefs can also help protect against hurricanes and the associated risks to life and property. Unfortunately, we cannot reliably control changes in weather and climate. But we can manage human impacts, and human impacts can reduce the ability of the coral reef ecosystems to recover from natural disturbances. To be akamai, we should manage any negative impacts on coral reefs that we can, including over fishing and destructive fishing practices such as lay gill netting.

What is the State proposing to do? The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is proposing to restrict all lay gill netting on Maui, and in three areas on O?ahu: 1) from Portlock Point to Keahi Point; 2) in Kailua Bay, from M?kapu Peninsula to Bellows AFB; and 3) in portions of Kane'ohe Bay, from the main ship to sampan channels and landward of Ahu o Laka. Lay nets would still be permitted elsewhere in the state, except where previously restricted in West Hawai?i. However, the size and soak times would be restricted, and all nets would have to be properly registered and identified. For more information on the proposed restrictions, visit DLNR?s website at http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/regs/ch75draft.pdf/

What can I do? Testify in support of DLNR?s proposed regulations. Fishing is a way of life for an estimated 1/5 of Hawaii's residents-- people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. The impact of how we fish ? what gear is used, how it is deployed, and the consequences on the health of the coral reefs and reef fish - must be addressed if we are to preserve our fishing heritage for future generations. There are many ways to fish that can be practiced sustainably and responsibly, including pole and line, hand line, throw net, and free dive spearing. Because lay gill nets can be used by a few people to harvest a lot of fish of many ages and species at once, their continued use in Hawai'i is not sustainable. The State's proposed gill net restrictions could provide a relatively quick way to significantly reduce one of the major impacts on our near shore fisheries. And many fishermen agree: something must be done. Times have changed, and it is time to make changes in how we fish, to help restore balance in the sea.