Evaluation of the effectiveness of Fishery Replenishment Areas in West Hawai`i with recommendations towards the establishment of an MPA network in the state of Hawai`i

A network of nine marine protected areas was established on the west coast of the island of Hawai’i in 2000 in response to declines of reef fishes taken by aquarium collectors. In 1999, we established 23 study sites in MPA areas, areas open to fishing, and control areas (existing protected areas) to collect data both prior to and after the closure of the MPA network in 2000. To date we have conducted 34 bimonthly surveys on over 500,000 fishes from 220 species. Five years after closure of the FRAs, 7 of the 10 most heavily collected fish species have increased overall. Yellow tangs (Zebrasoma flavescens) which constitute 84% of all harvested fish increased 49% and chevron tangs (Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis) increased 141%. While specific FRAs varied in their effectiveness in increasing fish stocks, overall 7 of 9 showed a positive effectiveness for yellow tangs with four having statistically significant increases in abundance. The effect of the FRAs has also been positive on the fishery. The average number of commercial aquarium collectors, total catch, price per fish, and CPUE during the four years after FRA establishment is higher than the comparable period before FRA establishment and the total economic value of the of the aquarium fishery has reached new heights. Effective replenishment has been linked to the moderately high levels of newly recruiting aquarium fishes observed in 2001-03. Previous work also indicates that habitat characteristics, FRA size, and density of adult fishes are important factors influencing the effectiveness of FRAs. The widespread occurrence of increases of aquarium fishes in FRAs, combined with a large and significant increase in the primary aquarium fish, the yellow tang, indicates that the FRAs are effectively replenishing aquarium fish stocks in Hawai`i after five years of closure. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The West Hawai`i Regional Fisheries Management Area was created by Act 306, Session Laws of Hawaii (SLH) 1998. One of its major mandates was the designation of a minimum of 30% of West Hawai`i coastal waters as Fish Replenishment Areas (FRAs) where aquarium collecting is prohibited. A community advisory group, the West Hawai`i Fisheries Council (WHFC) developed an FRA plan which created a network of nine FRAs comprising 35.2% of the coastline. The FRAs became effective 31 December 1999. Five years after closure of the FRAs, 7 of the 10 most heavily collected species (representing 94% of all collected fish) have increased in overall density. FRAs have been effective in significantly increasing the abundance of two species relative to already protected control sites (e.g. MLCDs). Yellow tangs which constitute 84% of all targeted fish increased 49% and chevron tangs increased 141%. Several others species, notably the longnose butterflyfish/forcepsfish, four-spot butterflyfish, ornate butterflyfish and Hawaiian cleaner wrasse showed high (>30%) but non-significant increases in FRAs relative to control sites. Four of the top 10 species; kole, Achilles tang, clown tang and multi-band butterflyfish showed insignificant decreases in FRAs relative to control sites. While specific FRAs varied in their effectiveness in increasing fish stocks, overall FRA Effectiveness: Tissot, Walsh & Hallacher, 2004: Page 3 of 40 7 of 9 showed a positive effectiveness for yellow tangs with four having statistically significant increases in abundance. Effective replenishment has been linked to the moderately high levels of newly recruiting aquarium fishes observed in 2001-03. Previous work also indicates that habitat characteristics, FRA size, and density of adult fishes are important factors influencing the effectiveness of FRAs. The widespread occurrence of increases of aquarium fishes in FRAs, combined with a large and significant increase in the primary aquarium fish, the yellow tang, indicates that the FRAs are effectively replenishing aquarium fish stocks in West Hawai`i after almost five years of closure. This result is consistent with an earlier published analysis after three years of FRA closure. The effect of the FRAs on the aquarium fishery itself has been positive. The average number of commercial aquarium collectors working in West Hawai`i during the four years after FRA establishment is higher than the comparable period before. Total catch and the catch of the top two species, yellow tang and kole, is presently the highest it has ever been. The price per fish received by collectors for yellow tangs has increased by an average of 33% subsequent to FRA establishment. Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) of aquarium fish is higher in West Hawai`i than elsewhere in the State and is maintaining an upward trend. CPUE is the highest it has ever been in Fiscal Year (FY) ’04 and the total economic value of the West Hawai`i aquarium fishery has reached new heights. PURPOSE Coral reefs are diverse and productive biological communities that provide important natural resources in tropical areas. However, reefs in many parts of the world are currently being threatened with a wide variety of anthropogenic disturbances (Richmond 1993). On the island of Hawai’i, harvesting by the aquarium trade is a major source of overfishing that warrants improved resource management (Clark and Gulko 1999; Grigg 1997; Tissot and Hallacher 2003). This project addresses the implementation and evaluation of a fishery management plan on the island of Hawai’i (Act 306 of 1998) focused on aquarium fish collecting using a network of marine protected areas (MPAs). MPAs are currently of wide national and international interest (Allison et al. 1998; Bohnsack 1998; Murray et al. 1999). However, very few studies of MPAs are replicated (e.g., have more than one reserve), or have statistically rigorous monitoring programs with data collected both before and after closure (Murray et al. 1999). This projected represents a unique opportunity to investigate both the effectiveness of MPAs in fishery management and provide an assessment of aquarium fish collecting effects on the island of Hawai’i. The aquarium collecting industry in Hawai’i has had a long contentious history. As early as 1973, public concern over collecting activities were first addressed by the Hawai’i Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) by requiring monthly collection reports. However, the industry has been largely unregulated since then despite dramatic increases in both the number of issued collecting FRA Effectiveness: Tissot, Walsh & Hallacher, 2004: Page 4 of 40 permits and collected fishes. Further, increases in fish collecting combined with growing public perception of dwindling fish stocks eventually developed into a severe multiple use conflict between fish collectors and the dive tour industry. In response to declines in reef fishes due to aquarium collectors, the Hawai’i state legislature, through Act 306, created the West Hawai’i Regional Fishery Management Area in 1998 to improve management of fishery resources. One of the requirements of Act 306 mandates that DAR declare a minimum of 30% of the West Hawai’i coastline as Fish Replenishment Areas (FRAs), MPAs where aquarium fish collecting is prohibited. The Act also called for substantive involvement of the community in resource management decisions. In 1998, the West Hawai’i Fisheries Council, a community-based group of individuals, proposed nine FRAs along the west Hawai’i coastline that collectively prohibited aquarium fish collecting along 35% of the coast when combined with existing protected areas. The proposed management plan received 93% support at a public hearing, was subsequently approved by the Governor, and the FRAs were officially closed to aquarium collectors on Jan. 1, 2000 (Capitini et al, 2004).