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A community on Maui has conducted a series of tournaments that gives fishers a chance to do what they love, for what they love – spear fish for healthy reefs. The “Roi Roundups” are contests that invite fishers to spear the most, biggest, and smallest invasive species – with a focus on roi (peacock grouper). The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i was one of dozens of participants in the most recent event, held on May 31.
The contests were created by a couple of lifelong local fishers, with help from the Maui Mayor’s office and many local sponsors. Two events were held last year attracting more than 100 participants, and two more are planned for 2009 on Maui. Organizers hope the events will spread to other islands to engage more fishers in conservation and invasive species control efforts.
“As a spearfisher, I have seen the decline in our reefs and I want to do something to protect what's left. I find this concept of killing fish to save fish unique, and a way to be pro-active. These events give spearfishers the chance to put our abilities to good use," said Darrell Tanaka, one of the events’ coordinators.
The Conservancy’s fishing team included Russell Amimoto, who really felt the excitement at the Roi Roundup. “As a fisherman and a conservationist, I enjoyed the hunt for invasive fish, and I think all of the fishers at the tournament were happy to be doing something to help Maui’s reefs recover,” Animoto explained.
Hawaii's Reefs Threatened
Hawaii’s coral reefs and native fish populations are threatened by heavy fishing pressure, pollution and runoff, and invasive species. These threats have so damaged Hawaii’s coral reef ecosystems over the past century that nearshore fisheries have declined by more than 75 percent.
“Hawaii’s reefs are being invaded by non-native species – from algae to introduced fish like roi,– and these alien species can threaten the health of our marine resources. Fishers can play a role in restoring Hawaii’s reefs by targeting alien species instead of depleted native species, and by avoiding harmful fishing methods that take too many fish at once, such as lay gill nets and harvesting fish on SCUBA, especially when they are resting at night” said Eric Conklin, the Conservancy’s marine science advisor.
Introduced Species Became Invasive
Roi were introduced to Hawaiian waters by the state in the 1950s to enhance local fisheries. Unfortunately, these predators have become a threat to native reef fish like uhu (parrotfish) and weke (goat fish). Hawaii’s Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) notes that roi populations have increased 15 fold since the 1980s in the main Hawaiian Islands, and roi have become the dominant near-shore predator on Hawaii’s reefs. A University of Hawai'i (UH) study estimated that in a three-square-mile area off the Kona Coast of Hawai‘i Island, roi eat 99 tons of reef fish annually — the equivalent of 8.2 million fish.
Prized as delicious eating in other parts of the Pacific, roi can be a hazard to your health in Hawai‘i. Many roi found in Hawaii’s waters contain the ciguatera toxin, which can build up in humans over time and cause serious illness. Scientists at UH are studying ciguatera and developing a test for the toxin that fishers will be able to use in the field. Fish from the Roi Roundups are donated to UH and DAR for further study, and to local farmers for fertilizer. The events also serve as fund raisers for fishers in need or local fishers who are competing in national diving or spearing events.
The tournament’s top winners were Tanaka and dive partner Lance Kimura for most fish (45) and smallest roi (58 grams).
Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Bill Walsh/DAR (roi); Photo © Skippy Hau/DAR (Roi with a hinalea, a native wrasse, in his mouth); © Maui County (Bryan Nakamoto, left, and Dean Kawamura hold up 42 roi caught, which earned them 2nd place for Most Fish).
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