Declining numbers of three of the most popular fish taken in Hawaii are causing concern among some fishermen and state conservation officials.

In response, the Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a series of meetings with an eye toward updating regulations.

So far, no rule changes are being proposed for the fish—uhu (parrotfish), weke (goatfish) and ulua/papio (jacks).

“;The input we receive from the public will help the Division of Aquatic Resources design rules that will support the ongoing conservation of our marine resources while balancing the needs of recreational, subsistence and commercial fishers,”; said Laura Thielen, DLNR director.

Some anglers say they have not noticed a decline in fish.

Ernie Choy, who has fished at Kaneohe Bay for decades, said populations seem stable.

“;The ulua seems to be holding its own,”; he said. “;Any kind of a regulation is good, but you don't have funding for enforcement. Until they fund enforcement, there's no sense to have laws.”;

COURTESY NOAA The state is considering new regulations for catching uhu (top), weke (middle) and ulua/papio (bottom), three types of fish that fishermen prize.

Big Island fishing author and recreational fisherman Jim Rizzuto said ulua catches have remained stable because anglers largely release the fish, which accumulates ciguatera toxin through its diet.

As long as caught fish are not sold, Hawaii does not require a marine recreational fishing license. But the state has regulations for uhu, weke and ulua based on size and bag limits:

» Anglers cannot take away uhu less than 12 inches long.

» The daily bag limit for weke that are less than 7 inches long is 50.

» Ulua must be at least 10 inches long. Recreational fishers cannot catch and possess more than 20 ulua a day.

Maui sport fisherman Darrell Tanaka said he and other fishermen think minimum size limits do not work.

“;If we had a strict bag limit, the minimum size wouldn't matter,”; he said. “;The bag limit for ulua is ridiculous. It's set at 20. We think it should be a lot less.”;

He also believes commercial fishermen should also have strict limits as well.

“;It doesn't matter who you are or what license you have,”; Tanaka said. “;Catching too much is catching too much.”;

The DLNR and fishermen like Tanaka are particularly concerned with uhu, which help maintain healthy coral reefs by grazing on them.

Commercial harvesting of uhu has risen, with the use of specialized and highly effective fisheries that employ nets and traps in deeper water.

Recreational and subsistence fishers, including spearfishers, find the uhu a prized fish.

“;Night scuba spearing is killing them (uhu) by the hundreds,”; said Tanaka, a spearfisher. “;I don't shoot parrotfish anymore because there aren't many of them left.”;

Commercial fisheries and fish survey data reveal the catch rate for goatfishes (moano kali and weke nono) have declined, correlating with diminishing numbers seen.

Tanaka also said that along with parrotfish, goatfish, which also include kumu, moana ukali and munu and are desired for their taste, “;are in critical need of protection.”;

Takana also recommends taking fish like ulua off the commercial sale list as a means of protecting them.

Tanaka praised the DLNR's efforts in trying to remedy the dwindling fish population but said “;reaching a consensus is going to be challenging.”;