Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 7, 1 July 1990 — Council fights for Hawaiian fishing rights [ARTICLE]

Council fights for Hawaiian fishing rights

By Lynn Lee OHA Land Specialist The rapid expansion of the loeal fishing industry threatens to jeopardize traditional fishing practices and techniques used by Native Hawaiians for centuries.

The rapid growth in the loeal fishing industry prompted the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC) to >mrsue development of a system of fishing rights that give preference to Native Hawaiians. A report prepared for the eounei! establishes support for preferential rights and covers harvest ing of bottom fish in the northwestern Hawaiian lslands as well as bottom fish, crnstaceans, precious corals, and open-oeean fish in offshore areas

surrounding the entire Hawaiian Island ehain. Copies of the report entitled "Rights Of Native Hawaiian Fishermen With Specific Regard To Harvesting Of Bottom Fish In The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands And With Regard To Harvesting Of Bottom Fish, Crustaceans, Precious Corals, And Open-Oeean Fish In Offshore Areas Sur-

rounding the tntire Hawaiian lsland Chain, Phases I and II ean be obtained at the office of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1405, Honolulu, Hawai'i or by calling 523-1368. WPRFMC requests that Native Hawaiian fishermen contact them as part of their continuing effort to establish preferentia! rights.