As reported by Roger Mari, Reporter for KITV4 news
Program Helps Protect Pupukea-Waimea Sealife
Transcript from the video:
The Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea organization is now approved by the state to monitor the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District. KITV’s Roger Mari has details from O‘ahu’s North Shore.
“WE’VE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE THE FIRST MAKAI WATCH PROGRAM HERE ON O‘AHU.”
The marine life in thePūpukea Marine Life Conservation District might feel lucky too. After 9 years of educating the public about this100 acre area, MPW is now officially one of 8 Makai Watch programs statewide.
“WE DO OBESERVATION AND COMPLIANCE, WE DO BIOLOGICAL MONITORING AND HUMAN USE MONITORING.”
Makai Watch started in 2005. Since then scientists have been doing biological assessments and tests in this district yielding promising results.
“THE BIO-MASS HAS DEFINITELY INCREASED, WE SEE NOT ONLY MORE FISH BUT LARGER FISH, THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO GROW BIGGER.”
“THE HAWAI‘I MAKAI WATCH PROGRAM SERVES AS THE EYES AND EARS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, LOOKING FOR VIOLATIONS SUCH AS TAKING FISH IN THE “NO TAKE” ZONE TAKING UNDERSIZED FISH AND USING ILLEGAL GEAR.”
“FINES VARY. IF YOU FISH HERE, YOU CAN GET A CITATION AND YOU MIGHT HAVE TO GO TO COURT, OR YOU MIGHT HAVE TO PAY A FINE.”
Sharks cove is where you will find Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea every Saturday, educating those who might not know the rules for using this protected area.
“THERE’S KIND OF A GLOBAL ETIQUETTE THAT WE HAVE TO LEARN ABOUT AND IF WE DON’T LEARN IT QUICKLY THERE’S NOT GOING TO BE ANYTHING LEFT.”
Have a comment or question? Share it here: