Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2003 i Hawaii Fishing News

■ With the use of a slide buckle, Hawai’i anglers can send big baits far out and down into the depths of the ocean. This ideal fishing method is referred to as slide-baiting. However, for anglers who fish the slide-bait technique, sometimes it’s easier said than done. Experience and knowledge of the positioning or spotting of cast lines are of the utmost importance, especially at areas where poles are placed just inches apart. Even the most experienced anglers know how frustrating it is to recast, especially in the darkness of night, hoping to hit the same spot so that the remaining poles don’t do the “musical pole shuffle.” Often leads are lost and anglers go “bankrupt” in the process of a jack-up (retrieving the cast line for a recast attempt).…

■ In the first article on aku fishing, I tried to describe some of the boats that had been developed for fishing aku over the years. Instead of following this up with the actual fishing operations on various boats in Hawa‘i, I will show how Okinawan aku fishing was conducted during this same period. Then, in a future installment, I will show how much more advanced Hawa‘i fishing has become. A Survey of the Skipjack Fishery in the Okinawa Islands As a result of a meeting held in Naha, Okinawa, in April 1953 between Brigadier General James M. Lewis, civil administrator. U.S. Civil Administration of the Ryukyus, and Herbert D. Hart, vice president, Hawaiian Tuna Packers Ltd., Hawaiian Tuna Packers Ltd. agreed to conduct a limited survey of the skipjack…

Testimony in Opposition of SB 1497, HB 140s7, SB 705; Relating to Marine Reserves My name is Tony Costa. I am a part-time commercial fisherman. 1 am also spokesperson for a very close-knit, loosely organized group of nearshore fishermen. I am also speaking on my own behalf as a concerned citizen. Hawaii’s Nearshore Fishermen are apposed to HB 1407 (SB 705, SB 1497). Before I tell you why, I would like the committee to really understand that contrary to what others might have you believe, Hawaii’s Nearshore Fishermen are environmentalists. We have to be. We depend on our environment. Life of the land and sea runs deep in our blood. In fact, I challenge you to find another group of people so in tune, so sensitive, so in-touch with their…

Dear Chuck, Regarding SB 705, SB 1497 and HB 1407: 1 noticed in Chapter 4 Section-4 (a) Marine Stewardship Advisory Councils “The Marine Stewardship Advisory Councils shall: Include members who are committed to the creation of the marine reserves network and who are drawn from a diverse range of the interested user and conservation groups, affected island communities, scientific researchers, and governmental agencies.” This one provision of the bill assures that the no-take marine reserve advocates can virtually hand-pick certain types of individuals in these working groups, claiming they represent all groups involved. One only needs to consider the experiences in West Hawai‘i and the NWHI to recollect and then ponder what a sham this would be. A Concerned Citizen To: Rep. Karamatsu, Rep. Lee, Rep. Luke, Rep. M. Oshiro,…

■ “No fishing” proposals in California and elsewhere are unnecessarily restricting the public’s ability to fish along our nation’s coasts. The American Sportfishing Association’s goal is to protect fish and fishing. Anglers need healthy fish and clean waters, but they also need access to these resources in order to pursue their sport. These two goals are not mutually exclusive. ASA’s Position on No-Fishing MPAs There is a fundamental difference between a family fishing on the weekend and a factory trawler sweeping the ocean floor for months at a time, a point often overlooked by those advocating Marine protected Areas (MPAs). The ASA is for protecting the public’s opportunity to fish and for scientific based management of our ocean resources. Many current proposals to restrict recreational fishing propose to do so…

■ Senate Bill 408, written by Paul Whalen and introduced by Fred Hemmings, is a real threat to the community. It is a continuation of their push last year to get control of the state’s recreational harbor’s submerged lands for development, commercialization and exploitation. 25th Senatorial District Hawaii State Capitol, Room 221 415 South Beretania Street Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone (808) 587-8388; Fax (808) 587-7240 E-mail senhemmings@Capitol.hawaii.gov As you’ll probably remember, Sen. Whalen first introduced a bill in the post-9/11 special legislative session (2001) for a concurrent resolution allowing the DLNR to lease Honokohau and Ala Wai’s submerged lands to private companies for privatization purposes. Fortunately, Sen. Lorraine Inouye (bless her soul) refused to entertain it in the absence of public hearings and, for the time being, it died. When…

Winter Run of Stripers and Chuckers ■ Shortbill spearfish, striped marlin and mahimahi continued to dominate the catch report, and the elusive blue marlin lived up to their reputation. Only six were brought to the scales and only three were tagged and released during the month. Our weather has been crazy. Some captains say it hasn’t been like this for years. Storms that came through our islands resulted in rough sea conditions that caused many cancellations for the charter fleet. However, even with the loss of business and the reduced number of days that the charter fleet had an opportunity to fish, the actual fish count was pretty good. This was because most boats brought in several fish per trip. Some boats even tagged and released as many as six…

■ The Yo Zuri GT Bull surface popper erratically chugged its way through the choppy water and suddenly disappeared in an explosion of thrashing white water. “Whoa! It’s a big fish, Connie!” I yelled to skipper Conrad “Connie” Siers. The big GT had come across the flat coral outcropping to smash the lure and was making a complete U-turn, headed back to where it had come from. “Connie! It’s going back into shallow water! It’s headed for the flats!” My Shimano GT outfit was being put to the test as I taxed it to its limits in an effort to muscle the fish off the dangerous rocky flats and back into deeper, safer fish-fighting water. “I see it all happening, Darryl!” blurted Conrad. He throttled up the twin Merc 90-hp…

Collectible Spinning Reels ■ A growing number of enthusiasts are targeting fishing tackle that most anglers would never consider antiques or collector’s items. Interest in old spinning reels is one of the fastest growing areas in the hobby of collecting fishing tackle. These types of reels were often perceived as arriving more recently in the world of tackle technology and, therefore, too new to be collectible. In fact, a lot of us still use reels that are pursued by knowledgeable collectors of rare spinning reels. If you whip for halalu with an Alcedo Micron, dunk with a big old Luxor and Mitchell 488 or drag aku belly through the white water with a Mepps Super Mecca, there is someone who would gladly add your reel to his or her collection.…

Creates the Hawaii Marine Reserve Network HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B. NO. 1407 TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003 STATE OF HAWAII BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII: SECTION 1. The legislature finds and declares that: (1) The State of Hawaii is the most isolated archipelago in the world and has one of the highest proportion of marine species that exist nowhere else on earth and many valuable and unique coral reef resources. The replenishment and preservation of these rare resources are of vital economic, environmental, cultural, and social importance to the people of Hawaii to preserve the islands’ marine heritage for residents, visitors, and future generations; (2) Using the wisdom passed down by kupuna for generations, traditional Hawaiian stewardship practices carefully managed the nearshore resources of ahupuaa and…

■ The call came from Brian Kimata of Brian’s Fishing Supply, I’ve known Brian for a couple of years, and he got straight to the point, telling me that we may not be able to go fishing anymore. He informed me that senators Lorraine Inouye and Russell Kokubun of Hilo had introduced Senate Bill (SB) 1497, “Relating to Marine Reserves.” A nearly identical bill, SB 705, “Relating to Marine Reserves” was simultaneously introduced by senators Kokubun, Inouye, J. Kalani English, Melodie Aduja and Gary Hooser. On the House side, HB 1407, “Relating to Marine Reserves” was introduced by representatives Hermina Morita, Ezra Kanoho, Brian Schatz, Cindy Evans, Tommy Waters, Scott Saiki, Blake Oshiro, Sol Kaho’ ohalahala, Maile Shimabukuro, Marcus Oshiro, Sylvia Luke, Marilyn Lee and Jon Karamatsu. Chairman of the…

■ Winter is here, but it seems like summer from all the ‘ahi that have been coming up. No one is complaining about it, though. Most of the ‘ahi are being caught in dolphin schools, which is somewhat unusual for Kane’ ohe where we see more birds than dolphins. Warren Collins on the KIMI ANN continued a hot streak by catching two ‘ahi, five mahimahi, one spearfish and some aku. They had four ‘ahi strike their lures, but lost all of them. Fortunately, they had another chance with a double strike and got both of them. Their catch was especially fortunate because Warren needed a large fish for a family memorial service. Cedric Bertleman aboard his new boat, the TAYLOR B, enjoyed some great ‘ahi fishing during this run. Cedric…

To HAWAII FISHING NEWS, Hi, my name is Kevin Murphy. I have included a photo of my son with the fish he caught. Francis does not know I am doing this, so it will be a surprise. This is the whole story of what took place. My son Francis Murphy, who is 13 years old, went fishing on Thanksgiving Day with his cousin Donavan and Uncle Chris. They went to Mokulei‘a to fish for papio using 6-foot poles and 10-lb test line. They were using small hooks, also. They were there several hours and knew they had to be back for turkey dinner at 5 p.m. All of a sudden Francis had a bite, and, boom, he was hooked to something big. He worked the fish for 15 to 20…

■ Those who support the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) bill distorted the truth. See the facts. Please compare these accusations by environmentalists and the actual facts. Findings may interest you as to how they distorted the truth and hid facts. 1. The state had done nothing since recognizing in the mid-’50s that the state’s marine resources are in critical condition and in need of management measures. Fact: Today, there are 10 marine life conservation districts (MLCDs) and 14 fisheries management areas (FMAs) state wide. All have been established since 1967, when Hanauma Bay, O‘ahu, was made the first MLCD. 2.The department does not have the authority to establish marine reserves to manage the state’s marine resources Fact: The Division of Aquatic Resources has had the authority since 1955 to establish…

■ This report is for those who are concerned about the political activity that will affect the well-being and future of the boating program in Hawai‘i. HB 579 HD 1 is deja vu. Last year it was HB 2542 that was gutted and used as the vehicle for a “35-percent boaters fee increase.” This bill went through the full gamut of hearings and changes in both the Senate and the House, and ended up in conference committee where it died. To say the least, the 35-percent fee increase issue was thoroughly aired before last year’s Legislature and the participating public, and it was rejected. Today we are back at square one and about to decide if it would be in the best public interest for this year’s Legislature to repeat…

■ Spring is approaching according to the calendar, but in Hawai‘i waters winter-type weather can still appear in March. But there will be more good weather days than bad weather days. There is always the possibility of the occurrence of any of the following severe weather events: cold front with strong Kona winds, upper trough with heavy rain, gusty trade winds and high northwest wave and surf. Trade winds should be present on more than half the days in March with the possibility of about eight to 14 days of gusty trades. Northwest swell activity should be noticeably less. There may be about five days of high surf greater than 10 feet along the north shores. There’s still a chance of surf greater than 25 feet high at Sunset Beach,…