Mālama i ke KaiMālama i ke Kai

Photo: Momi Wheeler, PKO

Unit Essential QuestionUnit Essential Question

How can we mālama (care for) our ocean environment and have enough fish for

today and future generations?

How can we mālama (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). 2002. 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

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 DeclineA 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?

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

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

Source: http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/images/MPAmaplg.jpg

What can we do to solve the problem?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

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.

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