Innholdsfortegnelse for October 1986 i Hawaii Fishing News

■ For Hawaii waters, summer is over and winter is approaching. October may preview the upcoming winter’s weather. There will be a greater variety of weather, but the severity of bad weather has not reached its potential. The following are potentially bad weather events, listed in order of decreasing expected occurrence: (1) northwest swell and surf (2) gusty trade winds (3) weak cold front (4) Kona low (5) north swell and surf (6) hurricane. Other than the northwest swell and surf, the expected frequencies of the other events are low. The frequency of trade winds is going down, but trades will still be the most common winds. The number of gusty trade wind days should be low—about four days. Northwest surf picks up while southerly surf is down at Sunset…

■ It’s no secret! Many wahine living in Kona are passionate about the sport of game fishing. When the sport is spiced with competition, that passion turns to enthusiastic frenzy. Take, for example, the Ninth Annual Kona A’Lure contested on August 16. The Hawaiian wahine (all female) fishing tournament attracted 221 anglers, including representatives from O‘ahu, Maui and the mainland, dispursed among 58 teams. Suspense added to the zealous mood at the Honokohau Harbor weigh-in. Judy Smith hung a 327-lb Pacific blue marlin caught from aboard Capt. John Jordan’s REEL AFFAIR to post the early lead. But rumor had it that Team #45 advised “Mrs. Longnose,” Bev Parker, of a last-minute hookup and they were on a big fish. Five minutes before “stop fishing,” just outside the harbor, the HOWDY,…

■ Over the past two years, we’ve received a number of thoughtful and interesting letters from Honolulu angler Arthur T. Choy. Choy always raises points that merit considerable attention. His thoughts are often at the cutting edge of controversies involving the status of fishing in Hawaii and the role of HAWAII FISHING NEWS in reporting about what’s happening here. Recently, he took us to task over a report in the September issue. Since his letter speaks for itself, we are printing it just as he wrote it: We greatly respect Choy’s opinion because we wrestle with the same thoughts when we make editorial decisions. Yet, obviously, we’ve made some editorial choices that are different from those he would have made if he were in our place. Therefore, it may be…

■ The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council was established by the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 Its principal duty is to develop fishery management plans (FMPs) regulating both foreign and domestic fishermen in the federal fishery conservation zone (FCZ) around Hawai‘i, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and U.S. possessions in the central and western Pacific. The FCZ covers waters from 3 to 200 miles offshore and not state or territorial waters from 0 to 3 miles. FMPs prepared by the council now in effect include, precious corals, lobsters and bottom fish and seamount ground fish. An FMP covering pelagic species (billfish, mahimahi, ono and sharks) has been submitted to the federal government for approval, which is expected sometime in November 1986.…

Due to the limited space available and the large number of fish caught, catch reports are limited to tuna over 100 lbs and billfish of any size, any species. (S) = Striped marlin, (B) = Black marlin. Due to the limited space available and the large number of fish caught, catch reports are limited to tuna over 100 lbs and billfish of any size, any species. (S) = Striped marlin, (B) = Black marlin.…

■ Honokohau Harbor’s frantic summer season continued with long lists of lucky anglers catching Kona game fish. The fleet enjoyed a busy month of charters with high tallies of billfish, ‘ahi and assorted other species. Kilauea has been bubbling lava from a fissure in the east-rift zone by the newest mountain in Hawaii, Pu‘u ‘o‘o vent, since July 18 when the 48th phase of the volcano’s eruption began. The excellent fish counts for this time period dispel the theory that volcanic activity affects fish catches in a negative way. Early in the month, the star jewel in the harbor’s crown of 1986 championships was decided. Competition for the Henry Chee award is always fierce. The much coveted prize, named in honor of the highly revered Kona captain, is presented to…

■ It didn’t seem real that something so tragic could happen to somebody I knew so well. Sametine everybody knew so well, and liked a lol. He was always happy to see you, and he alu ays had a new fishing story, or just a past adventure you bothshared parls in. to share. We couldn’t wail to hear the stones he would have when he returned from his latest fishing trip to Mexico. It seems ironic that Fred and his dad mould be on hoard “that” flight, which met a tragic fare over Cerritos. I can still see his smiling face as he excitedlylaid me his plans for his vacation, how he and his dad were going to “fish their, ocks off” Fred was an outstanding fisherman. People learned more…

Big Game ■ Pacific blue marlin, high average. Last October was dreary. The Kona boats were lucky to check in with a marlin a day for the entire fleet. During the Steve Garvey Celebrity Billfish Tournament, not a single blue was caught. The top Kona catch for the month was an 830-pounder taken aboard Capt. Tioni Judd’s HIGH FLIER. Top Lahaina catch was a 339-pounder brought on Capt. Rick Medenwald’s HINATEA. Things didn’t get any better in November. The Lahaina Jackpot in early November saw only 18 billfish for 102 boats; the winning fish*was a 358-lb marlin on Capt. Stan Hanzawa’s WET ‘N WILD. O‘ahu’s Kewalo Basin fleet felt the pinch, too. But Capt. Dick Slogget’s KAHUNA KAI managed top honors with a 455-pounder. Black marlin, high average. Look for…

Diving Safely from a Boat or Beach ■ This summer has seen some serious collisions and near collisions between divers and boats. Although the diver involved in the accident in Kane‘ohe Bay in August can tell about his experience, the diver in Maunalua Bay in June was not so lucky. As a result of these accidents, the state boat patrol has been busy checking boats underway and at boat ramps for safety equipment and boat registration, resulting in many tickets being given to scuba divers for lack of proper safety equipment or boat registration. There are a few simple safety rules that all boat operators need to follow to avoid any serious consequences while out on the water. Remember, these rules apply to inflatable as well as hard-hulled crafts. Rule…

■ Do you have an interesting fish story? We invite our readers to share those stories that are both humorous and unusual. Stories submitted should be as factual as possible and limited to 500 words. Pertinent photos are more than welcome. As our way of saying thank you for sharing your unusual tale, we’ll send a complimentary HAWAII FISHING NEWS cap to readers whose stories are published in this column. Send your humorous or unusual fish story to HFN/Sounds Fishy to Me. Attn: Jeff Konn, 2474 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1703, Honolulu. Hawaii 96826. □ Anyone familiar with the Punalu‘u beach Park Area knows that there is a river there that empties out to the sea. This is a true story that occurred one night as the members of one family…

■ This is a three-part report on the history of fishery resources use and management in Hawai‘i. This first part covers the period from antiquity to the arrival of the Europeans and highlights traditional methods of fishery use, cultivation and management. Next month, Part 11 will focus on changes in the fisheries brought about after Western contact, including the destruction of traditional systems of management and changes in fishery techniques and statistics. The third and final part will look at modern management policies that the state has adopted in attempts to lessen the impacts of pollution and overfishing. It is hoped that by reviewing this history, we may somehow be able to easier find that path that will lead us back to thriving fishery stocks and abundant harvests. Traditional Hawaiian…

■ Fishermen have been informed that all lobster fishing within 20 miles of Laysan Island is illegal. They may also eventually be subject to a limited entry plan for catching bottom fish in the 200-mile zone of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). These were two of many actions taken by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council at an August meeting held in Kona. The meeting at the King Kamehameha Hotel, August 7 and 8, was timed to coincide with the annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament. The meeting brought together council members, fishing industry advisors and scientists from Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and other government officials. The council voted to approve emergency regulations that would prohibit fishing for slipper lobsters within 20…

■ In 1979, the first fish aggregating devices (FADs), 28 to be exact, were placed in Hawaii’s offshore waters by the state. Today, 7½ years and 48 FADs later, it is apparent that the FADs, or fish buoys, are here to stay. Or maybe we think they are, Let’s use this time to reflect on the continuation of the FAD project in light of some bad things that have happened to the FADs recently. Before I start, one thing should be made clear; FADs don’t simply fabricate themselves or deploy themselves or replace themselves or improve themselves. It takes people, namely State Division of Aquatic. Resources (DAR) personnel, to operate and maintain the FADs for fishermen. So you ask, what has happened recently to the FADs to prompt this article…

■ If you carry it in, carry it out! It is that simple—if you can carry it to your fishing site, you can also carry it out. As a matter of fact, when you carried in that can of Coke, that jar of mayonnaise, that spool of line or that tin of sardines, it was full. When it is time to go home, chances are it weighs less and will be easier to pack out with you than it was to pack in! Hawaii’s shorelines are a deplorable mess! Often, some of the worst messes occur at popular shoreline fishing sites. By this time each year, the ulua grounds have been heavily fished and the garbage, castoffs, detritus and trash of Hawaii’s shoreline fishermen are everywhere. This situation is unsightly,…

■ The long hot summer of ‘86 was a real record breaker for both temperature and fishing success. Many veteran fishermen have seen better seasons for fish, but, when compared with the catches of recent years, this year’s catches have been significantly large. Once again, auction prices were depressed due to the large volume of fish. This encouraged fishermen to find other ways for their catches to be sold and/or consumed by family and friends who really enjoy having fresh fish for the table. Summer provided an excellent chance for many consumers to sample a variety of Hawaii’s wonderful fish at some reasonable prices. Kurt Mench of the SH BOP certainly did his part in bringing in some fish for the table, or tables, when he got a huge 774-lb…

■ Fishing during August was action-packed. A lot of people were regularly picking up papio, either with ‘oama or by whipping. The ‘oama were in large schools and they were still biting. Also small kawakawa were cruising in the bay. During Labor Day Weekend, some great catches were made by local mullet fishermen in Hilo. If you’ve ever fished for mullet, you know it really takes a lot of patience. It takes years to learn the techniques and tricks used to catch this wary and soft-biting fish. Sometimes hours may go by without a bite, even though the angler is constantly changing and checking his bait. So when catches like these are made, it’s really something! September 14, the Second Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament was held on Coconut Island. The…

■ Culinary tastes change as food fads come and go. We’ve gone through periods when jicama was the newest rage, then stir-fry was the healthiest way to cook, and then pasta salads became the “in” thing to eat. Now, “spa cuisine” has replaced heavy meals, and hot cajun cooking almost turns your insides out! Though all these new cooking flavors and ingredients are a welcome change, most of us eventually return to our favorite recipes, those tried and true dishes you can count on, no matter what. My favorites are mainly Italian. Of course, most people associate Italian cooking with pizza, heavy spaghetti dishes and lasagna, all of which I love. But Italian cooking varies according to geographical regions. In the north, dishes center around beef and game birds, and…

Results ■ The Second Annual Aloha Jackpot Fishing Tournament was once again hosted by the Hawaii Kai Yacht Club. Overwhelming angler response and accelerated sponsor participation made it possible for the tournament to offer one of the largest cash jackpots on 0‘ahu while keeping entry fees at a very reasonable rate. The sponsors included Honolulu Ford, Alderbrook Golf and Yacht Club Estates, Coors Beer, John Richards Restaurant and Ahi Kai Boats. One hundred boats departed from Maunalua Bay as the “start-fishing” signal was given promptly at 0700 hours. The first hana pa‘a came at 8:30 a.m. and was relayed via the “Mountain Man,” Francis Tavares, perched high above Hanauma Bay where he meticulously monitored a CB set. A cheer went up from the group already gathered at the Hawaii Kai…

■ Just the other morning I read in a newspaper article that the artificial sweetener Nutrasweet has given a number of people migraine headaches. Since I had long ago substituted Nutrasweet for white sugar, reading this dire news immediately gave me a migraine. Now, I have three cures for migraine, but since my wife was away on a business trip, the first cure was out. And the sun had a long haul before dropping over the yardarm, so Cure #2, a case of Uncle Henry’s Irish Ale, had to wait. That left Olde Number 3, fishing. All fishermen know there’s something magical about our sport, though few talk about it. Most of us yak about this or that whopper we landed, the one that broke our line (I do that…

■ For the second time this year, all of Hawaii’s major gubernatorial candidates shared the same platform. Touted as the Gubernatorial Candidates Forum on Hawaii’s Marine Fisheries Issues, the event attracted a group of about 120 persons, filling the University of Hawaii Law School auditorium to near capacity on Sunday, August 24. The meeting was organized by the Malama Na I‘a, a group of concerned fishermen, fisheries scientists and citizens. Seated at the speakers’ table were democratic contestants Cec Heftel and Patsy Mink and the uncontested republican candidate, Andy Anderson. Facing opposite the speakers, and with their backs to the audience, was a group of panelists that included commercial fisherman Buzzy Agard, Kent Bowman (president of TheoDAVIES Marine Agency Inc.), Clancy “Capt. Zodiac” Greff (owner of Napali Zodiac), State Representative…

■ An access management plan (also known as limited entry) for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) is under consideration by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council as one possible option allowed by the bottom fish fishery management plan (FMP) that went into effect August 27, 1986. The plan would establish two special fishery zones, the Ho‘omalu Zone (west of 165° W) and the Mau Zone (from 160° W to 165° W), as shown on the accompanying chart. Ho‘omalu means “to protect,” and Mau means “the continuation” in Hawaiian. The main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) east of 160° W would not be regulated under the access management plan. Ho‘omalu and Mau Zone FMP regulations would cover only federal waters from 3 to 200 miles offshore under jurisdiction of the council. Permits would…

■ Aloha from Maui. The bottom fish are back and biting! After a very successful season last year, the Ma‘alaea commercial fishermen were hoping (praying?) for another comparable “bite” this year. Those prayers have been answered, unless you don’t consider 1,000-lb loads in August the start of a good year. What makes the season look even more promising is what seems to be a slight comeback of ‘opakapaka. Last year the onaga fishing was so hot that a lot of the full-timers were concentrating solely on the big red fish rather than trying to search around for the declining stocks of ‘opakapaka. This (along with other environmental factors) probably gave the paka a chance to bounce back a little bit. Bert Oliveira of the SUNDANCER had increasingly better catches throughout…