M ā lama i ke Kai Photo: Momi Wheeler, PKO

Unit Essential Question How can we m ā lama (care for) our ocean environment and have enough fish for today and future generations?

 What can we conclude about our fisheries from this graph?  What can we conclude about our fisheries from this graph? How do fisheries in the Main Hawaiian Islands compare to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI)? Source: J Maragos and D Gulko (eds) Coral Reef Ecosystems of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Hawai`i Dept. of Land and Natural Resources. Honolulu, HI.

Our Main Hawaiian Island Fisheries Are Declining  The NWHI represented on the graph have no human population.  The NWHI have had only limited fishing.  Kaho`olawe, with no human population and restricted fishing, is the only Main Hawaiian Island fishery that is similar to NWHI.  The NWHI shows us what a healthy reef looks like and what our Main Hawaiian Island reefs used to be.  The NWHI have:  A greater biomass of fish than the Main Hawaiian Islands  More apex predators (like sharks and ulua).  The NWHI represented on the graph have no human population.  The NWHI have had only limited fishing.  Kaho`olawe, with no human population and restricted fishing, is the only Main Hawaiian Island fishery that is similar to NWHI.  The NWHI shows us what a healthy reef looks like and what our Main Hawaiian Island reefs used to be.  The NWHI have:  A greater biomass of fish than the Main Hawaiian Islands  More apex predators (like sharks and ulua).

A Steep Decline  “The populations of important native food fishes in the Main Hawaiian Islands have declined at least 75 percent over the past century.” Fair Catch Hawai`i  Scientists compared 55 reef species in the Main Hawaiian Islands with the NWHI, and found 75% to be in critical or depleted condition. For example:  Moi (Pacific Threadfin) catch in the Main Hawaiian Islands was:  33,519 lbs in 1900  197 lbs in 2004  “The populations of important native food fishes in the Main Hawaiian Islands have declined at least 75 percent over the past century.” Fair Catch Hawai`i  Scientists compared 55 reef species in the Main Hawaiian Islands with the NWHI, and found 75% to be in critical or depleted condition. For example:  Moi (Pacific Threadfin) catch in the Main Hawaiian Islands was:  33,519 lbs in 1900  197 lbs in 2004 Photo: Frank Stanton, KIRC

What is causing the decline of fish in the Main Hawaiian Islands? Photo: Cheryl King, KIRC

The state’s 11 Marine Life Conservation Districts (MLCDs) cover less than 1% of total reef area in the Main Hawaiian Islands Source:

What can we do to solve the problem? Your Challenge: Work with a team to complete an investigation of what is happening to the nearshore fisheries populations in Hawai`i. Create individual brochures to share what you learn with others. Present your findings to the community. Photo: Cheryl King, KIRC

Your team investigation should include a four-page written report that answers the unit essential question. Each team member should select one of the topics below and write one page of the report.  Data that shows what is happening to nearshore fish populations in Hawai`i, including graphs  A description of biotic (living) and abiotic (non- living) causes of the fisheries’ decline  A comparison of a traditional Hawaiian fishing method to a modern method and the impacts of each on fisheries  A description of what we can learn from the Kaho`olawe marine reserve with recommendations of ways to mālama (care for) fisheries so that there will be enough for future generations  Data that shows what is happening to nearshore fish populations in Hawai`i, including graphs  A description of biotic (living) and abiotic (non- living) causes of the fisheries’ decline  A comparison of a traditional Hawaiian fishing method to a modern method and the impacts of each on fisheries  A description of what we can learn from the Kaho`olawe marine reserve with recommendations of ways to mālama (care for) fisheries so that there will be enough for future generations