Hawaii Pelagic Recreational Fishing Database Summaries
The Hawaii Pelagic Recreational Fishing Database is a compilation of recreational catch and effort data from various sources throughout Hawaii. Tournament organizers, fishing clubs, harbor businesses, and the Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources provided the data in the form of radio logs, catch records, and weigh-in summaries.
Records from 36 annual fishing tournaments comprise a majority of the database. The tournaments occurred throughout the islands, with 2 on Maui, 3 on Kauai, 15 on the Big Island, and 16 on Oahu. They range in longevity, from 1 to 40 years, and in participation, with 5 to 260 boats.
Though the number of participants generally determines the total amount and weight of catch, the nature of the tournaments is also a factor. Some tournaments encourage catch and release, while others may weigh in every fish or award monetary or trophy prizes. The rules also range from "jungle" (no questions are asked about how a fish was caught, killed, and boated) to IGFA (International Game Fish Association). However, all participants share the common goal of catching the largest blue marlin (Makaira mazara), striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax), ahi (Thunnus spp.), mahimahi (Coryphaena hippurus), or ono (Acanthocybium solandri).
The database also includes records from the monthly tournaments of three fishing clubs and charter boat catch records.
The database may be available to fisheries managers and scientists upon NMFS approval. Any use of the data must adhere to NMFS guidelines to maintain the confidentiality of specific tournaments and their sources. Please contact us for further information.