Akule Season Opens in Waimea Bay

November 1st marks the opening of akule season in Waimea Bay. Although the Bay is part of a Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD), one of the permitted activities is “fishing with legal nets for akule in November and December” and while many do not agree with the netting, it is legal.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources is planning ahead and will have extra DOCARE officers at Waimea on opening day. If you pass by, you will likely see many boats and large, round nets used to surround the schools of Akule that come into the Bay. The DOCARE officers will be on the lookout for any violations and will issue citations accordingly.

Here are the current rules in the MLCD:

Pūpūkea (Sharks Cove) and Kalua-Māua (Three Tables)

CAN

• take and possess up to two pounds (combined total, squeezed dry) of limu kohu and limu lipe‘epe‘e by hand harvest only, provided the limu’s holdfast is left in place.
• possess a knife for personal safety only.

NO CAN

• fish for, take, injure, kill, possess any marine life (including eggs), or possess in the water any device that may be used for taking marine life, except a knife for personal safety only.
• take or alter any sand, coral, or other geological feature or specimen, or possess in the water any device that may be used for taking or altering a geological feature or specimen.

Waimea Bay

CAN

• take and possess up to two pounds (combined total, squeezed dry) of limu kohu and limu lipe`epe`e by hand harvest only, provided the limu’s holdfast is left in place.
• possess a knife for personal safety only.
• take and possess any finfish with hook-and-line from the shoreline, with not more than two poles per person with one line per pole, with no more than two hooks per line.
• take and possess ‘opelu with legal nets during August and September, and akule during November and December.

NO CAN

• snag any akule while fishing from the shoreline of Waimea Bay.
• fish for, take, injure, kill, possess any marine life (including eggs), or possess in the water any device that may be used for taking marine life, except a knife for personal safety only.
• take or alter any sand, coral, or other geological feature or specimen, or possess in the water any device that may be used for taking or altering a geological feature or specimen.

Pono Practices

While these are not law, we ask that everyone follow these practices that help ensure the health of the reef ecosystem.

• Step in sandy areas, not on the living coral.
• Pick up trash from the water and the beach.
• Don’t feed the fish.
• Keep a safe distance from all marine life.
• Take only pictures—leave all shells and coral.
• Use waterproof sunscreen.
• Use the public restrooms.
• Help to keep Hawai‘i beautiful by sharing this information with your friends.

Boundaries

Waimea Bay, Kalua-Māua (Three Tables), Pūpūkea (Sharks Cove): From Kulalua Point to the Wananapaoa Islets, including waters and submerged lands to 100 yards offshore.