Pono Fishing Practices

Members of the Maui Nui Makai Network use pono fishing practices (sustainable practices) to perpetuate marine resources for generations to come. For example, Hui Mālama O Mo'omomi created a Pono Fishing Calendar that lets fishers know when best to harvest certain species to avoid their spawning cycles which are connected to moon phases. Wailuku CMMA hosts lawai'a (fishing) camps near Kahului harbor to promote pono fishing and Polanui Hiu is conducting creel surveys to observe, talk story, and educate ocean-goers at Polanui.

Eat Pono, Not Just Ono
Many of us have a favorite fish to eat that makes our ʻōpū happy! But imagine if that's all we caught... we would likely fish out that species really fast! By catching a variety of fish, we can help relieve pressure placed on prize species and keep our favorites around to enjoy for generations.

When we say generations we mean generations of people AND resources. Having multiple generations of fish present on a reef is a good sign of resource health!

Leave the Big and the Small
Bigger Fish Make More Fish. Older, larger fish produce more and healthier keiki/larvae and are responsible for the majority of reproduction. For example, a 27-inch ‘ōmilu (bluefin trevally) makes 86 times the number of eggs produced by an ‘ōmilu half its size!!
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Small Fish Need Time to Grow. If small fish are harvested before reaching a reproductive age and size, fewer fish will be able to reproduce. This means fewer fish in our seas and in our ʻōpūs. So let the little ones grow! If small fish are harvested before reaching a reproductive age and size, fewer fish will be able to reproduce. This means fewer fish in our seas and in our ʻōpūs. So let the little ones grow!

Be Akamai (Smart)
Just like mango and other fruit trees have seasons, so do the fish in the sea! There are times of the year when fish spawn to reproduce, and harvest should be rested.

So when do fish spawn? Spawning seasons can vary depending on the fish species, location, and time of year, especially with changes in climate. The best way to learn the reproductive seasons of fish in your area is to check your catch for male or female gonads, and the size it takes up in the body cavity. You can also look for local pono fishing calendars like this one developed by Hui Mālama O Mo'omomi or check statewide seasonal closures set by the State for some marine species. For example, ula or spiny lobster is closed for harvest from May to August!

Always Take Your 'Opala (Rubbish) With You
Plastic pollution and 'opala ending up in the ocean is a global problem. Mahalo for doing your part to keep our oceans free from debris by packing out your trash! Here are some crazy facts about 'opala in the ocean! 

​There are 5 massive patched of plastic in the oceans around the world. The one between California and Hawai'i is the size of Texas. (National Geographic) 

The likelihood of coral becoming diseased increases from 4% to 89% after coming into contact with marine plastic, as it damages coral tissue, allowing infection. (Lamb et. al.)

The average person consumes about a credit card amount of plastic a week! The single largest source of plastic ingestion is through water, both bottles and tap, all over the world. Of the consumables studied in a 2019 WWF report, those with the highest recorded plastic levels include shellfish, beer, and salt. (WWF)