Human
Dimensions Analysis of Hawaii's Ika-Shibi Fishery
See also,
Small Boat Bigeye and Yellowfin Tuna Operations
and Regulatory Scenarios in the Main Hawaiian Islands
Progress
Reports (PDF): FY
2008, FY 2007,
FY 2006, FY
2005
Project Overview
The objectives of this project are to provide fishery managers and policy
makers with information needed to optimally manage Hawaii's ika-shibi
fishery and associated resources. Using a combination of research methods
and analyses, project researchers will examine the historic and contemporary
aspects of the ika-shibi fishery (occurring primarily off of
Hawaii Island) and describe ways in which fishery participants adapt
to an evolving regime. More specifically, project researchers will:
(1) describe how the fishery is configured in social and economic terms,
(2) identify and analyze factors that have influenced change in rates
of participation and production over time,
(3) describe and explain how and why participants may be part of, and/or
have reacted to such changes.
Ika-Shibi
Fishery
The ika-shibi (squid-tuna) style of fishing was developed in
Hawaii during the 1920's by Okinawan immigrant squid fishermen seeking
to catch tuna feeding on their ika quarry. Though rates of participation
varied over the early decades of the fishery, efficiency of effort increased
in conjunction with advances in vessel, engine, and marine electronics
technologies, and with evolving technique. The fishery grew slowly around
Hilo (east coast of Hawaii Island) during the 1960s and has become popular
on the Kona side (west coast of Hawaii Island) only during the last
decade.
Ika-shibi
is a nighttime fishery. A parachute-type sea anchor is used to keep
the vessel in a relatively stable and slow drift. Underwater and above-water
lights attract squid and various baitfish to the vessel. Squid is the
preferred bait, though small baitfish such as mackerel scad are also
used on occasion. Scad often initiates a night's fishing until squid
are caught (Rodgers 1987). Palu (often anchovy or sardine) is
dispersed as an attractant in the water column during the course of
the operation. Three or four long braided polypropylene lines are equipped
with strong leaders, baited circle hooks, and lead-filled tubular weights,
and cleated at staggered depths for fishing between 15 and 35 meters.
A breakaway line enables the fish to run with the bait before snapping
and setting the hook. Once the hook is set, the fish is hauled to the
boat by hand on the main line.
Few vessels
are exclusively devoted to ika-shibi, and most captains will
also use trolling and other methods over the course of the year (Itano
2003). Ika-shibi is particularly popular and productive around
the Big Island, and especially so from about May to October, with peak
season usually occurring during mid-summer. Activity between November
and December is notably more limited, followed by a lull until spring
(Severance 2003). The Hilo, Pohoiki, and Honokahau areas of Hawaii Island
are particularly well-known points of departure and arrival for ika-shibi
vessels. Long-term and more immediate knowledge of the resource, supportive
ecosystem, and market potential is typically shared among groups of
participants.
As for
all forms of fishing in the Islands, topographic, bathymetric, or artificial
features that attract baitfish and hence larger predators are preferred
areas of ika-shibi activity. Shibi (ahi or yellowfin)
and bigeye (po'o nui) are preferred targets, though albacore
(tombo) is also taken, and few mature fish of any edible type
are released. Yellowfin is most frequently harvested by this method.
Project
Goals, Objectives and Methods
(1) Compile, analyze, and document participation (license), landings,
and ex-vessel value data for the specific ika-shibi gear type
(as possible) for all available reporting years for the statistical
areas of interest along the Kona, Ka'u, Puna, and Hilo District coastlines;
(2) Compile, review, and synthesize all secondary source information
relevant to understanding and describing important changes in the ika-shibi
fishery over time, with particular emphasis on the last decade;
(3) Contact island fisheries managers and others highly knowledgeable
of the ika-shibi fishery in order to identify important trends
in and factors affecting the fishery, to aid in establishing rapport
with local fish dealers and distributors, and to identify an initial
group of seasoned fishery participants with whom to interact for purposes
of the research;
(4) Use social network methods to systematically expand the sample of
seasoned ika-shibi fishery participants for subsequent interviewing,
and to document patterns of familial (ohana), organizational
(hui), and community relationships to and involvement in the
fishery;
(5) Conduct interviews with seasoned participants and local fish dealers
to identify important trends in fishery production, factors affecting
operational success and failure, and ways in which participants have
adapted or failed to adapt to those trends and factors;
(6) Use the resulting information to develop narrative description of
how the fishery is configured in social, economic, and spatial terms;
to report on historic and especially recent trends and changes in the
fishery; and to describe and explain the reactions of fishing families,
huis, communities, and dealers/distributors to those trends and
changes; and
(7) Supplement narrative description with maps depicting: ika-shibi
fishing patterns; fleet proximities; important bathymetric, topographic,
and artificial features (at an appropriate level of resolution); patterns
of product distribution; and patterns of fishery participant residence.
Funding
for this 1-year project to be awarded in mid 2004.
Literature
cited:
• Itano, David. 2003. Personal Communication. Director, PFRP Tuna
Tagging Program. Pelagic Fisheries Research Program, Joint Institute
for Marine and Atmospheric Research. University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Honolulu.
• Rodgers, Sylvia. 1987. Description of the ika-shibi technique.
In: Fishing Hawaii Style, Volume 2. Jim Rizzuto. Published by
Hawaii Fishing News. Honolulu.
• Severance, Craig. 2003. Personal Communication. Professor, Department
of Anthropology, University of Hawaii at Hilo.
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