DOCSLIB.ORG

State of Hawaii DEPARTMENT of LAND and NATURAL RESOURCES Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation Honolulu, Hawaii 96819

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
State of Hawaii DEPARTMENT of LAND and NATURAL RESOURCES Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 State of Hawaii DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 May 28, 2021 Chairperson and Members Board of Land and Natural Resources State of Hawaii Honolulu, Hawaiʻi Land Board Members: SUBJECT: Request approval to install a total of twenty-three new day-use mooring buoys at the Makako Bay and Kaukalaelae Point manta ray viewing sites in West Hawaiʻi; approval of an Anticipated Finding of No Significant Impact for the Draft Environmental Assessment applicable to the installation of the twenty-three mooring buoys; and delegation of authority to the Chairperson to make a final determination on the Draft Environmental Assessment. REMARKS: In the 2014 Legislative Session, the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives passed House Concurrent Resolution 170 urging the Department to manage the Kona manta ray viewing sites and address overcrowding, safety, and liability under existing statutes. DOBOR consulted with stakeholders, such as ocean tour providers and recreational ocean users, and devised a list of proposed rules and management measures for the sites, including the installation of additional moorings to increase safety. The arrangement of DMBs at the two sites will offset negative impacts of anchoring on coral reef habitat, minimize unsafe boating practices near participants in-water, and control crowding at the site by requiring use of a mooring to conduct tours. Thus, the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) is requesting that the Board of Land and Natural Resources (Board) approve the installation of twenty-three (23) new day-use mooring buoys (DMBs) in Makako Bay and Kaukalaelae Point of North Kona in West Hawaiʻi. Both installation sites lie within designated mooring zones: Makako Bay, within the zone established by Hawaii Administrative Rule (HAR) Section 13-257-20, and Kaukalaelae Point, within the zone established by HAR Section 13-257- 23. DOBOR intends to install twelve (12) new moorings in Makako Bay and eleven (11) new moorings at Kaukalaelae Point. Item J-4 BLNR – Request approval to install 23 New DMBs May 28, 2021 at Makako Bay and Kaukalaelae Point, West Hawaiʻi Page 2 and approval of an anticipated FONSI PERMITTING AND COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAW: In order to comply with Federal Law, DOBOR has procured the appropriate permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Hawaiʻi Department of Health Clean Water Branch (CWB), and the Hawaiʻi Office of Planning Coastal Zone Monitoring Program. Permits are detailed in the table below, and full permit documents are attached as Exhibits to this submittal. Date Agency Permit Permit Number Exhibit Received Sec. 10 Nationwide USACE POH-2019-00099 12/13/2019 A Permit Sec. 401 Water Quality CWB WQC1012 1/10/2019 B Certification Federal Consistency CZM DTS201910180815NA 12/4/2019 C Review In addition, to ensure that each mooring system is structurally sound, DOBOR has developed Best Management Practices for the installation of the DMBs at Makako Bay and Kaukalaelae Point, which were included with the permit applications listed above and approved under the received permits. Common guidance, stipulations, and conditions were incorporated into this project, such as engineering standards, best practices around protected species, and monitoring and maintenance following installation. Pursuant to HAR Section 13-235-6, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) must determine whether a DMB is detrimental to the habitat or spawning ground of marine life. Through the USACE permitting process, NMFS has been consulted and determined the DMB installations have no detrimental effect to the habitat or spawning ground of marine life. DAR has also been consulted and concurred that the DMBs have no detrimental effect to the habitat or spawning ground of marine life. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: DOBOR has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) and recommends the Board approve an Anticipated Finding of No Significant Impact (AFONSI) in accordance with Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 343 and HAR Chapter 11-200. The DEA is attached as EXHIBIT D. DOBOR is additionally requesting that the Board delegate authority to the Chairperson to make a final determination on the EA. BLNR — Request approval to install 23 New DMBs May 28, 2021 at Makako Bay and Kaukalaelae Point, West Hawaii Page 3 and approval of an anticipated FONSI RECOMMENDATIONS: DOBOR requests that: 1. The Board approve the installation of the twenty-three (23) proposed DMBs referenced herein, located in Makako Bay and at Kaukalaelae Point, within established mooring zones off the Kona coast of West Hawaii; 2. The Board approve an AFONSI for the DEA referenced herein; and 3. The Board delegate authority to the Chairperson to make a final determination on the DEA referenced herein. Respectfully Submitted, _( --// EDWARD R. UNDERWOOD, Administrator Division of Boating & Ocean Recreation APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: SUZANNE D. CASE, Chairperson Board of Land and Natural Resources Attachments: A. USACE POH-2019-00099 B. Department of Health CWB WQC1 012 C. Office of Planning CZM DTS201910180815NA D. Draft Environmental Assessment for DMB Installation at the Kona Manta Sites with Best Management Practices US Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY PERMIT LETTER OF PERMISSION File Number: POH-2019-00099 Project Title: Day Use Mooring Buoys, Kona, Hilo, HI Subject: Department of the Army Letter of Permission PERMITTEE: Edward Underwood (DLNR-DOBOR) PERMIT NO.: POH-2019-00099 ISSUING OFFICE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District Regulatory Office (CEPOH-RO) NOTE: The term "you" and its derivatives, as used in this permit, means the permittee or any future transferee. The term "this office" refers to the appropriate district or division office of the Corps of Engineers having jurisdiction over the permitted activity or the appropriate official of that office acting under the authority of the commanding officer. You are authorized to perform work in accordance with the terms and conditions specified below. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: To install 26 day use single point mooring buoys around the Island of Hawaii, including eleven moorings at Kaukalaelae Point in Keahou Bay, ten moorings at Garden Eel Cove in Makako Bay (Garden Eel Cove), and five moorings in Hilo Bay. Two of the proposed ten moorings at Garden Eel Cove are proposed to be anchored in sand substrate with manta ray/earth anchors. The remaining eight proposed moorings at Garden Eel Cove and all proposed moorings at the Kaukalaelae Point and Hilo Bay would be installed on boulders, rubble, or coral reef hard substrate with two-point pin anchors consisting of drilling stainless steel bolts drilled and securing with epoxy. The epoxy anchoring for all pin anchors would not exceed a total of one cubic yard. For each of the two proposed manta anchoring systems, the manta anchoring system would be connected to the buoy with an eye splice hose and shackle, a poly rope, and a mid-line weight. For each of the proposed pin anchoring systems, the two pins would typically be placed approximately three to four feet apart and each 3 3 3 connected with a ½-inch shackle, a /8-inch thimble and a 2 /8-inch wire clamp to /8-inch 3 wire rope. The two wire ropes are connected to a 2.5-inch by /8-inch mooring ring, 7 which is connected to the buoy with a /8-inch nylon three-strand line. The mooring buoys would be installed over a period of approximately one month. Water depths in the day-use mooring areas range from 15 to 44 feet deep for Kaukalaelae Point, 15 to 75 feet deep for Garden Eel Cove, and 7 to 38 feet deep for Hilo Bay. In both Kaukalaelae Point and Garden Eel Cove, one of the proposed moorings at each site is intended for recreational use, while the remainder of the proposed moorings are intended for commercial use. All five proposed moorings in Hilo Bay are intended for mixed commercial and recreational use based on first availability. Exhibit A In addition to this letter of permission, the project drawings (Enclosure 2), BMP plan (April 2018) (Enclosure 3) depicting the authorized work, and Department of Aquatic Resources Site Selection Guidelines (Enclosure 4) are also provided as attachments of this permit. PROJECT LOCATION: Kaukalaelae Point (Keauhou Bay): 19.559234 N, -155.967445 W; Makako Bay (Garden Eel Cove): 19.736077 N, -156.058710 W; Kona, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii and Hilo Harbor: 19.741533 N, -155.060257 W Hilo, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii PERMIT CONDITIONS: General Conditions: 1. The time limit for completing the work authorized ends on December 13, 2024. If you find that you need more time to complete the authorized activity, submit your request for a time extension to this office for consideration at least one month before the above date is reached. 2. You must maintain the activity authorized by this permit in good condition and in conformance with the terms and conditions of this permit. You are not relieved of this requirement if you abandon the permitted activity, although you may make a good faith transfer to a third party in compliance with General Condition 4 below. Should you wish to cease to maintain the authorized activity or should you desire to abandon it without a good faith transfer, you must obtain a modification of this permit from this office, which may require restoration of the area. 3. If you discover any previously unknown historic or archeological remains while accomplishing the activity authorized by this permit, you must immediately notify this office of what you have found. We will initiate the Federal and state coordination required to determine if the remains warrant a recovery effort or if the site is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Brochure Atlantic Forest Great Reserve
    Atlantic Forest Barra do Ararapira Paraná peak Rafting Mãe Catira River Mountain bike THE ATLANTIC FOREST: PROTECTED AREAS AND FULL NATURE MOUNTAINS AND FOREST A NATURAL AND CULTURAL SPECTACLE The Full Nature framework considers every year. In this view, new businesses The Atlantic Forest express its exuber- the existence of fruits to feed the fauna. The Atlantic Forest is one of the most diversity of wildlife, mountains, caves, the ecological integrity and the peace- have been established. However, not all ance in different landscapes: the pre- The rain is abundant, and thousands exuberant tropical forests in the world. waterfalls, bays, mangroves and beaches, ful coexistence between society and the activities take into consideration nature historic Araucaria Forest, mountains of rivers generated in the cradle of this Within its territory, this biome holds as well as local communities. It is up to natural environments as the basis for a conservation. Full Nature framework and rivers, the coastal plain and the sea. great forest carve the mountains and natural and cultural treasures, some of us to protect this treasure from the risk green and restorative economy, espe- was designed as a unifying cause to en- There are over15,000 species of plants give us beautiful waterfalls. A collection Brazil’s largest cities, and over 120 mil- of disappearance. cially in isolated and disadvantaged ru- sure that development is equitable and and more than 2,000 species of verte- of peaks and hills challenges the climb- lion inhabitants. Brazilian history was The economic development in this ral areas. Nature conservation should long lasting.
    [Show full text]
  • I Reefs of Life to Reefs of Death: the Political Ecology of Coral Reef Health by Tegan Churcher Hoffmann B.S. (University of Ca
    Reefs of Life to Reefs of Death: The Political Ecology of Coral Reef Health by Tegan Churcher Hoffmann B.S. (University of California at Berkeley) 1994 M.A. (University of California at Berkeley) 1998 A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geography in the GRADUATE DIVISION of the UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY Committee in Charge: Professor Michael Watts, Chair Professor David Stoddart Professor Jere Lipps Fall 2001 i Reefs of Life to Reefs of Death: The Political Ecology of Coral Reef Health Copyright 2001 by Tegan Churcher Hoffmann ii Abstract Reefs of Life to Reefs of Death: The Political Ecology of Coral Reef Health by Tegan Churcher Hoffmann Doctor of Philosophy in Geography University of California, Berkeley Professor Michael Watts, Chair This research focuses on the South Pacific region, an area of high global coral diversity. I examine reef health surrounding two islands in Fiji, Vatulele and Ovalau, and two Cook Islands, Aitutaki and Rarotonga. Each island has distinct differences based not only on reef type, environment, and ecology, but also upon social institutions. I will compare four islands with barrier and fringing reefs that have different levels of economic development, population pressure, land-use practices, and marine management practices. This research will assess coral health in areas that have not been previously surveyed. This interdisciplinary research methodology includes both ecological and social data collection to further understanding of human environment interactions. I do this by identifying and describing the presence of certain social institutions and some historical reasons as to why they exist.
    [Show full text]
  • “Queen Without Land” (Polar Bears) Recommended for Grades 5-7
    Queen without Land “Queen without Land” (Polar Bears) Recommended for grades 5-7 Your class is going to watch the documentary “Queen without Land” on September 29, 2018. This folder contains some exercises that will help you prepare for it. Have fun! page 1 page 2 Queen without Land Wildlife films are sooooo boring...?! Here are why you should watch this film! The filmmaker Asgeir Helgestad follows a polar bear mother and her cubs. Who wouldn’t like to see cute animal babies playing in the snow? There are some scenes in which the filmmaker is filming himself while he uses his high-tech cameras and other cool equipment. It’s really fun to see how the film was made. The film is set on Svalbard, an island group between Norway and the North Pole. You’ll see how Asgeir Helgestad lives there, in the freezing cold. The filmmaker shows exactly how global warming changes the ice around the North Pole, the animals who live in the Arctic, and the plants that grow there. You’ll also learn what consequences global warming has for you personally. It’s an award-winning film. The film won the award for Best Environmental Film at the International Wildlife Film Festival. page 3 Documentary - a special genre Why should I learn something about documentaries? Soon, your class is going to watch “Queen without Land” (Polar Bears). Just like in any other type of film, such as action films or Youtube vlogs, the filmmakers use camera settings, music, and other things to tell a story.
    [Show full text]
  • Scientific Committee Sixteenth Regular Session
    SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE SIXTEENTH REGULAR SESSION ELECTRONIC MEETING 11{20 August 2020 Data review and potential assessment approaches for mobulids in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean WCPFC-SC16-2020/SA-IP-12 Laura Tremblay-Boyer1, Katrin Berkenbusch1 1Dragonfly Data Science, Wellington, New Zealand Data review and potential assessment approaches for mobulids in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean Report prepared for The Pacific Community Authors: Laura Tremblay-Boyer Katrin Berkenbusch PO Box 27535, Wellington 6141 New Zealand dragonfly.co.nz Cover Notes To be cited as: Tremblay-Boyer, Laura; Berkenbusch, Katrin (2020). Data review and potential assess- ment approaches for mobulids in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, 55 pages. Report prepared for The Pacific Community. Cover image: hps://www.flickr.com/photos/charleschandler/6126361915/ CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 1 INTRODUCTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 2 METHODS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 2.1 Summary of fishery data ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 2.2 Literature review of mobulid biology ----------------------------------------------------------- 12 2.3 Appraisal of potential assessment approaches ------------------------------------------ 12 3 RESULTS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    [Show full text]
  • Biomechanics of Safe Ascents Workshop
    PROCEEDINGS OF BIOMECHANICS OF SAFE ASCENTS WORKSHOP — 10 ft E 30 ft TIME AMERICAN ACADEMY OF UNDERWATER SCIENCES September 25 - 27, 1989 Woods Hole, Massachusetts Proceedings of the AAUS Biomechanics of Safe Ascents Workshop Michael A. Lang and Glen H. Egstrom, (Editors) Copyright © 1990 by AMERICAN ACADEMY OF UNDERWATER SCIENCES 947 Newhall Street Costa Mesa, CA 92627 All Rights Reserved No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by photostat, microfilm, or any other means, without written permission from the publishers Copies of these Proceedings can be purchased from AAUS at the above address This workshop was sponsored in part by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce, under grant number 40AANR902932, through the Office of Undersea Research, and in part by the Diving Equipment Manufacturers Association (DEMA), and in part by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS). The U.S. Government is authorized to produce and distribute reprints for governmental purposes notwithstanding the copyright notation that appears above. Opinions presented at the Workshop and in the Proceedings are those of the contributors, and do not necessarily reflect those of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF UNDERWATER SCIENCES BIOMECHANICS OF SAFE ASCENTS WORKSHOP WHOI/MBL Woods Hole, Massachusetts September 25 - 27, 1989 MICHAEL A. LANG GLEN H. EGSTROM Editors American Academy of Underwater Sciences 947 Newhall Street, Costa Mesa, California 92627 U.S.A. An American Academy of Underwater Sciences Diving Safety Publication AAUSDSP-BSA-01-90 CONTENTS Preface i About AAUS ii Executive Summary iii Acknowledgments v Session 1: Introductory Session Welcoming address - Michael A.
    [Show full text]
  • Recall of Dacor Darwin Dive Computers
    NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, February 22, 2005, Release # 05-118 Firm's Hotline: (800) 874-3236 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 CPSC, Head USA Inc. Announce Recall of SCUBA Diving Computers WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of product: SCUBA Diving Computers Units: 181 Distributor: Head USA Inc., of Norwalk, Conn. Hazard: The dive computers were improperly calibrated, resulting in incorrect calculations. Diving with an improperly calibrated dive computer can provide inaccurate "No Decompression (no stop) Time," "Decompression Time," "Desaturation Time" and "No Fly Time." This could result in divers suffering serious injuries, including decompression sickness. Incidents/Injuries: Head USA received one report of a computer malfunction. No injuries were reported. Description: The recall includes the Dacor Darwin Air dive computer with serial number 3265 through 3415, and the Dacor Darwin Console dive computer with serial numbers 8503 through 8592. The serial number will appear on the dive computer screen after removing and reinserting the batteries. The Darwin Air is a completely integrated dive computer and pressure gauge with "Dacor Darwin Air" written on the front. It is encased in gray on black heavy-duty plastic. The Darwin Console is a dive computer with a compact submersible pressure gauge bearing the word "Dacor" on the front. It is encased in black heavy-duty plastic.
    [Show full text]
  • Theory and Treatment Solo Cave Diving
    Decompression Sickness: Theory and Treatment Solo Cave Diving: Just How Safe Is It? A Few Words About Decompression Schedules Cave Diving Into The Dominican Past Diving Pioneers & Innovators: A Series of In Depth Interviews (Dick Bonin) Issue 8 – September 2012 Contents Editorial Editorial 2 Welcome to the eighth issue of Tech Diving Mag. In this issue, the contributors have, once more, brought together a wealth Decompression Sickness: Theory and Treatment of information, along with some distinctive first hand experiences. The By Bret Gilliam 3 contributors for this issue are world renowned industry professional Bret Gilliam, accomplished diver, instructor trainer and book author Steve Lewis, technical diving instructor Peter Buzzacott (PhD) and Solo Cave Diving: Just How Safe Is It? cave explorer Cristian Pittaro. Get to know more about them and read By Peter Buzzacott 22 their bio at www.techdivingmag.com/contributors.html. As you might know, Tech Diving Mag is based on article contribution A Few Words About Decompression Schedules from the readership. So you’re always welcome to drop me a line if you’re interested in volunteering an article. One more much appreciated By Steve Lewis 29 thing is your photos (even without articles)! For submission guidelines, take a look at www.techdivingmag.com/guidelines.html. Cave Diving Into The Dominican Past Tech Diving Mag is very much your magazine and I am always keen By Cristian Pittaro 37 to have your input. If you want to share your views, drop me a line at [email protected]. Diving Pioneers & Innovators: A Series of In Please visit www.techdivingmag.com/communicate.html to subscribe Depth Interviews (Dick Bonin) to the newsletter in order to be notified when new issues are available for download.
    [Show full text]
  • Naics & Sic Codes
    naics & sic codes NAICS NAICS CODE DESCRIPTION CATEGORY 335129 Other Lighting Equipment Manufacturing Manufacturing 423410 Photographic Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers Wholesale 423440 Other Commercial Equipment Merchant Wholesalers Wholesale 423450 Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers Wholesale 423710 Hardware Merchant Wholesalers Wholesale 423720 Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies (Hydronics) Merchant Wholesale Wholesalers 423830 Industrial Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers Wholesale 423840 Industrial Supplies Merchant Wholesalers Wholesale 423910 Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers Wholesale 424320 Men's and Boys' Clothing and Furnishings Merchant Wholesalers Wholesale 424330 Women's, Children's, and Infants' Clothing and Accessories Merchant Wholesale Wholesalers 424340 Footwear Merchant Wholesalers Retail 444130 Hardware Stores Retail 446130 Optical Goods Stores Retail 448110 Men's Clothing Stores Retail 448120 Women's Clothing Stores Retail 448150 Clothing Accessories Stores Retail 448210 Shoe Stores Retail 451110 Sporting Goods Stores Retail 454111 Electronic Shopping Retail 561210 Facilities Support Services Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services SIC SIC CODE DESCRIPTION CATEGORY 3648 Lighting Equipment, Not Elsewhere Classified Manufacturing 5043 Photographic Equipment and Supplies Wholesale 5047 Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Wholesale 5072 Hardware Wholesale 5074 Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies (Hydronics) Wholesale 5085 Industrial Supplies Wholesale 5091 Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies Wholesale 5136 Men's and Boy's Clothing and Furnishings Wholesale 5137 Women's, Children's, and Infants' Clothing and Accessories Wholesale 5139 Footwear Wholesale 5251 Hardware Stores Wholesale 5611 Men's and Boys' Clothing and Accessory Stores Retail 5621 Women's Clothing Stores Retail 5661 Shoe Stores Retail 7 6 5941 Sporting Goods Stores and Bicycle Shops Retail 0 .
    [Show full text]
  • An Analysis of the Sports Equipment Industry and One of Its Leading Companies, Head, N.V
    Head, N.V. 1 Running Head: HEAD, N.V. An Analysis of the Sports Equipment Industry and One of Its Leading Companies, Head, N.V. Priit Pihl A Senior Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for graduation in the Honors Program Liberty University Spring 2006 Head, N.V. 2 Acceptance of Senior Honors Thesis This Senior Honors Thesis is accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for graduation from the Honors Program of Liberty University. ~~LU~ Tom Bell, Ph.D. Chairman of Thesis Scott Hawkins, Ph.D. Committee Member P-Illil Mer, iSh.D. / Committee Member judy~. Sandlin, Ph.D Mst. Honors Program Director d Date I Head, N.V. 3 Abstract Sports equipment manufacturing is an estimated $13.5 billion industry that is continually growing worldwide. Head, N.V. (N.V. stands for Naamloze Vennootschap which is the Dutch terminology for a public limited liability corporation) is one of the leading manufacturers and marketers in the sports equipment industry focused on developing and producing innovative, high quality and technologically advanced Alpine skiing and snowboarding equipment, racquet sports equipment and diving equipment. The following thesis will provide an analysis of the sports equipment industry, including a competition analysis, and a discussion of the driving economic forces and key success factors in the industry. This is followed by a company analysis on Head, N.V. (from here on Head) including an evaluation of its current business strategies and a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis. In the final section, some strategic and managerial recommendations will be offered for Head's future success.
    [Show full text]
  • Elasmobranch Captures in the Fijian Pelagic Longline Fishery
    AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS Aquatic Conserv: Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst. (2016) Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI: 10.1002/aqc.2666 Elasmobranch captures in the Fijian pelagic longline fishery SUSANNA PIOVANOa,* and ERIC GILMANb aThe University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji bHawaii Pacific University, Honolulu, USA ABSTRACT 1. Pelagic longline fisheries for relatively fecund tuna and tuna-like species can have large adverse effects on incidentally caught species with low-fecundity, including elasmobranchs. 2. Analyses of observer programme data from the Fiji longline fishery from 2011 to 2014 were conducted to characterize the shark and ray catch composition and identify factors that significantly explained standardized catch rates. Catch data were fitted to generalized linear models to identify potentially significant explanatory variables. 3. With a nominal catch rate of 0.610 elasmobranchs per 1000 hooks, a total of 27 species of elasmobranchs were captured, 48% of which are categorized as Threatened under the IUCN Red List. Sharks and rays made up 2.4% and 1.4%, respectively, of total fish catch. Blue sharks and pelagic stingrays accounted for 51% and 99% of caught sharks and rays, respectively. 4. There was near elimination of ‘shark lines’, branchlines set at or near the sea surface via attachment directly to floats, after 2011. 5. Of caught elasmobranchs, 35% were finned, 11% had the entire carcass retained, and the remainder was released alive or discarded dead. Finning of elasmobranchs listed in CITES Appendix II was not observed in 2014. 6. There were significantly higher standardized shark and ray catch rates on narrower J-shaped hooks than on wider circle hooks.
    [Show full text]
  • Mobulid Rays) Are Slow-Growing, Large-Bodied Animals with Some Species Occurring in Small, Highly Fragmented Populations
    CMS/Sharks/MOS3/Inf.15e Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks Devil and Manta Ray Fact Sheet Manta birostris Manta alfredi Mobula mobular Mobula japanica Mobula thurstoni Mobula tarapacana Mobula eregoodootenkee Mobula kuhlii Mobula hypostoma Mobula rochebrunei Mobula munkiana 1 CMS/Sharks/MOS3/Inf.15e . Class: Chondrichthyes Order: Rajiformes Family: Rajiformes Manta alfredi – Reef Manta Ray Mobula mobular – Giant Devil Ray Mobula japanica – Spinetail Devil Ray Devil and Manta Rays Mobula thurstoni – Bentfin Devil Ray Raie manta & Raies Mobula Mobula tarapacana – Sicklefin Devil Ray Mantas & Rayas Mobula Mobula eregoodootenkee – Longhorned Pygmy Devil Ray Species: Mobula hypostoma – Atlantic Pygmy Devil Illustration: © Marc Dando Ray Mobula rochebrunei – Guinean Pygmy Devil Ray Mobula munkiana – Munk’s Pygmy Devil Ray Mobula kuhlii – Shortfin Devil Ray 1. BIOLOGY Devil and manta rays (family Mobulidae, the mobulid rays) are slow-growing, large-bodied animals with some species occurring in small, highly fragmented populations. Mobulid rays are pelagic, filter-feeders, with populations sparsely distributed across tropical and warm temperate oceans. Currently, nine species of devil ray (genus Mobula) and two species of manta ray (genus Manta) are recognized by CMS1. Mobulid rays have among the lowest fecundity of all elasmobranchs (1 young every 2-3 years), and a late age of maturity (up to 8 years), resulting in population growth rates among the lowest for elasmobranchs (Dulvy et al. 2014; Pardo et al 2016). 2. DISTRIBUTION The three largest-bodied species of Mobula (M. japanica, M. tarapacana, and M. thurstoni), and the oceanic manta (M. birostris) have circumglobal tropical and subtropical geographic ranges. The overlapping range distributions of mobulids, difficulty in differentiating between species, and lack of standardized reporting of fisheries data make it difficult to determine each species’ geographical extent.
    [Show full text]
  • Northwestern Hawaiian Islands/Kure Atoll Assessment and Monitoring Program
    Northwestern Hawaiian Islands/Kure Atoll Assessment and Monitoring Program Final Report March 2002 Grant Number NA070A0457 William j. Walsh1, Ryan Okano2, Robert Nishimoto1, Brent Carman1. 1 Division of Aquatic Resources 1151 Punchbowl Street Rm. 330 Honolulu, HI 96813 2 Botany Department University of Hawai`i Mānoa Honolulu, HI 96822 2 INTRODUCTION The Northwest Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) consist of 9,124 km2 of land and approximately 13,000 km2 of coral reef habitat. They comprise 70% of all coral reef areas under U.S. jurisdiction. This isolated archipelago of small islands, atolls, reefs and banks represent a unique and largely pristine coral reef ecosystem. The islands support millions of nesting seabirds and are breeding grounds for the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal and threatened green sea turtle. The reefs include a wide range of habitats and support a diverse assemblage of indigenous and endemic reef species, many of which have yet to be described. Kure Atoll, located at the northwestern end of the NWHI chain (approximately 28º 25’ N latitude and 178º 20’ W longitude) is the northernmost atoll in the world. The atoll is located 91 km northwest of Midway Islands and nearly 1,958 km northwest of Honolulu. It is a nearly circular atoll with a diameter of 10 km (6mi). The outer reef is continuous Figure 1. IKONOS satellite image of Kure Atoll 3 and almost encircles the atoll’s lagoon except for passages to the southwest (Fig. 1). An emergent rock ledge consisting primarily of coralline algae and algally bound and encrusted coral is present along some sections of the reef crest.
    [Show full text]