Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

Longlining
on the rise...

Commercial longline fishing has increased
dramatically in Hawaii since 1988:

... and the fish caught

Last year's commercial fish catch by species:

Limiting longlining:
How much is enough?

U.S. District Judge David Ezra has banned longline fishing in
a 1.5 million square mile area north of Hawaii since December
1999. He has proposed closing or sharply limiting longlining
in a 5.3 square mile area as shown. The new area could take
effect August 5.

Tuna catch

The area slated for closure in April and May provides
the bulk of longline tuna harvests:

Swordfish catch

The area set for year-round closure includes the
richest swordfish harvests:

---

Sources: Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, U.S. District Court rulings, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration