Innholdsfortegnelse for September 29, 1979 i Hawaii Fishing News

When luau promoter Chuck Machado set out to organize and run a fishing tournament in Kona, there was quite a bit of speculation across the State. From sour grapes by other tournament operators, to the pessimists who said it would never work. To those who just completed fishing or participating in the First Annual Chuck Machado’s Luau Jackpot Fishing Tournament, all negative considerations were forgotten. To those who were involved, it is clear that Machado has heralded a new form of fishing extravaganza in Hawaii—his promised “four days of fishing and five nights of fun.” It all started with registration, just off the old airport runway in the Old Airport State Park complex near the Kona industrial area. As the tent was being erected over the large stage, curious Kona…

Innerspace Pacifica ‘79, a festival of underwater films, SCUBA diving seminars and photography competition, showing the adventure, intrigue and beauty beneath the world’s oceans, will be held in Honolulu’s air-conditioned Kaimuki High School Auditorium on November 2 and 3, 1979, with repeat screenings in Wailuku, Maui on November 9 and in Hilo, Hawaii on November 10. Sponsored by the Hawaii Council of Diving Clubs (HCDC), the festival will include “six of the finest underwater movies ever.” The same film program will be screened each night at 7:30 p.m., in contrast to previous years when separate programs were shown each night. This will be the first time Innerspace Pacifica will travel to Hilo, which is the result of diver interest and demand. Among the highlights of the festival will be the…

COUNCIL ACTIVITIES Gen Wheeler, Corresponding Secretary, reported that letters of appreciation had been sent to all legislators who supported the recently signed spearfishing bill. Several legislators have already replied to the letter. Correspondence in the nature of concern has been sent to Jack Clothier who was seriously injured in a sky diving accident recently. Jack has been very active in the Council throughout the years and was the Outstanding Diver of the Year for 1976. DIVING SAFETY There have been three additional diving fatalities since the last report. The latest involved a diver who was swept off the reef by a wave and was not able to recover sufficiently and drowned. September has not been a good month for bends cases. Eight individuals have been treated during the first twenty…

HISTORY In May of 1977 the National Marine Fisher Service (NMFS), with the aid of the Pacific Tuna Development Foundation, began an experiment with great promise for the offshore fishermen in the State of Hawaii. They began to install a series of experimental “fish aggregating object” which quickly become Known to Hawaii’s offshore fraternity as “the buoys.” The idea was by no means new, although they had never been tried in Hawaii’s super deep offshore environment, fish aggregating objects are an everyday part of the fisheries of the Philippines and Taiwan and have even been tried in other parts of the United States. Fishermen in Hawaii have long been familiar with the bounty of free floating objects which are well known as producers of good catches of mahimahi and ahi.…

There is perhaps no single issue that will heat up a roomful of recreational saltwater fishermen like the subject of saltwater sportfishing licenses. Although the idea is not a new one and at least seven states already require licenses of their recreational anglers in both fresh and saltwater, resistance to the initiation of licenses in those states where recreational fishermen are presently free to fish as they wish, is huge. And therein may rest part of the resistance. It is human nature to resist any effort to change the status quo. “Why should we pay you to restrict us?” is the most asked question among fishermen facing licensing procedures. “Leave us the way we are.” Beyond that, fishermen seem to recognize that a good deal of the taxes they already…

Maui Officers of the Department of Land and Natural Resources—Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement had a busy August citing violators of the laws and regulations relating to the taking of lobsters. A total of 18 citations were issued to 7 persons. Charges included taking of lobster in closed season, undersized lobster, possession of lobsters with eggs and possession of lobsters with puncture wounds. All of the cases involved night diving and the suspects were apprehended after a stakeout of the beaches where complainants had reported this illegal activity. Twelve of the cases involving 3 men have been to Wailuku District Court. One of the defendants was fined $300 for 4 violations, the other 2 defendants were fined $495 each and received 30 day jail sentences, suspended for 1 year…

A newly developed diving computer will be introduced on the market late this year. The computer, which takes advantage of the latest developments in microcircuitry, is permanently programmed to the U.S. Navy Air Decompression Tables. It is capable of handling up to ten functions, including single and multiple repetitive dives. It is also advertised as being able to handle even the most complex decompression problems. All readouts are digital LED in large red numerals. The computer is capable of doing the following: Serving as a depth guage; acting as a dive timer—giving a current reading of the time spent on the bottom up to four hours per dive; providing surface interval time for up to 12 hours; calculating decompression stops and time required for decompression; informing the diver of the…

Well, it’s that time of year again and from all indications this year will be a banner year for deep-water squidding. September, October and November are usually the best months and so far this year fishermen seem to be getting off to a good start. Last year the season ran a little bit longer than usual, with good catches being taken as late as February. Let’s hope we are fortunate again this year. It appears that this year the squid are much larger for some reason. J & E Fishing Supply out in Kalihi does a brisk business with some of the more knowledgeable tako fishermen and there were reports of 20-pounders being brought up by some of Janet’s customers. One fellow told her that while out diving he came…

The sliding weight problem can be solved by putting a machine screw through the web belt into the lead weight. The screw can be removed for weight adjustment. ✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶ Divers should be careful about the type of second stage used for an octopus for regulators. You may have trouble if the tilt valve in the second stage octopus does not have an over pressure valve. ✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶ You can loosen up your sticky zippers by using spray or liquid silicone, clear shoe polish or candle wax. Ordinary white utility candles also work well and are inexpensive.…

Authorities estimate that one million dollars a year could be added to the Virgin Islands’ economy by relocating a shipwreck. If all permits by United States and Virgin Islands governments are confirmed and if the CERTANGA SENIOR, a 150 foot steel hulled wreck off St. Thomas is successfully relocated at the sheltered cove on the lee of St. Thomas’ Buck Island, then an estimated one million dollars could come to the Virgin Islands economy through divers and professional film producing companies. A Department of Conservation spokesman calculated by adding up an average of 30 divers per day at $45 each to see the wreck, that about a half million dollars in a year would be available to the local economy. It is estimated that thirty divers per day go from…