Documentation plan
targets bigeye tuna

All Hawaii-based commercial fishing boats might soon have to report what they catch in an effort to keep the Pacific stock of bigeye tuna healthy.

Policies proposed yesterday by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council were a response to scientific reports that show overfishing of bigeye tuna. They will be reviewed by the federal Department of Commerce before they are put into practice.

The estimated quantity of bigeye tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean in 2000 was half of what it had been in 1950, according to three different scientific models cited in a fishery council report.

In addition to requiring commercial fishermen to keep logbooks of the type and quantity of fish they catch, the fishery council proposes to:

>> Work with the state Division of Aquatic Resources to increase surveys of recreational fishermen about what they are catching and improve its fishing data-reporting system.

>> Seek a cap on international fishing for bigeye tuna at 1999 levels, by country.

>> Make sure U.S. interests are represented at two international forums that govern fishing in the Pacific Ocean.

"This is not going to stop anyone from fishing; it simply puts people on notice" that more record-keeping is coming, said Paul Dalzell, a Western Pacific Fishery Management Council scientist.

Longline fishing boats, which account for 95 percent of the bigeye tuna caught by Hawaii-based boats, already report their catch, Dalzell said. Boats that will have to start reporting would include trollers and handliners, he said.

More than 3,000 commercial fishing boats are registered in Hawaii.

The increased vigilance is being sought even though the United States accounts for only 5 percent of all bigeye tuna harvested in the Pacific. China, Japan, Taiwan and Korea account for the remainder.

"We want them (other countries) to copy us" with increased reporting, said Kitty Simonds, fishery council executive director.

"It's taken so long for everyone to agree that we need basic information on the catch and effort" of all fishermen, from Hawaii recreational fishers to other countries, she said.

Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) is one of two species known in Hawaii as ahi. Bigeye has a plumper body, larger head and larger eyes than yellowfin tuna. It is preferred by many for sashimi because of its higher fat content.