Abstract
In 2007, due to growing concerns of declines in nearshore fisheries in Hawai‘i, a ban on gillnets was implemented in designated areas around the island of O‘ahu in the main Hawaiian Islands. Utilizing a 17 year time-series of juvenile fish abundance beginning prior to the implementation of the gillnet ban, we examined the effects of the ban on the abundance of juveniles of soft-bottom associated fish species. Using a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) sampling design, we compared the abundance of targeted fishery species in a bay where gillnet fishing was banned (Kailua, O‘ahu), and an adjacent bay where fishing is still permitted (Waimānalo, O‘ahu). Our results show that when multiple juvenile fish species were combined, abundance declined over time in both locations, but the pattern varied for each of the four species groups examined. Bonefishes were the only species group with a significant BACI effect, with higher abundance in Kailua in the period after the gillnet ban. This study addressed a need for scientific assessment of a fisheries regulation that is rarely possible due to lack of quality data before enactment of such restrictions. Thus, we developed a baseline status of juveniles of an important fishery species, and found effects of a fishery management regulation in Hawai‘i.
Highlights
Fish populations around the world have declined dramatically in recent decades due to overfishing, land-based pollution, and habitat alteration [1,2,3]
The two bays have the same direction of exposure to wind and waves, the offshore bathymetry is steeper in Waimānalo, allowing for greater attenuation of wind waves from NE trade winds compared to Kailua (Fig 1)
Trends in abundance were variable over the study period, with evidence of several large recruitment events marked by peaks in abundance
Summary
Fish populations around the world have declined dramatically in recent decades due to overfishing, land-based pollution, and habitat alteration [1,2,3]. This pattern is evident across all marine ecosystems, including nearshore tropical estuarine and soft-bottom habitats [4,5]. Effects of Gear Restriction on Juvenile Fishes throughouly as other tropical ecosystems such as coral reefs These habitats are particularily threatened by coastal development, land-use changes, and the effects of overfishing, and destructive fishing practices [5,7,8]
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