Maunalua Bay Fisheries Management Area (FMA)
Maunalua Bay was once home to Keahupua o Maunalua Kuapā Fishpond, the largest fishpond in Hawaiʻi. What was once one of the most abundant regions in all of Hawaiʻi has drastically changed over the last several decades. However, after years of hard work, hundreds of meetings, countless community conversations, and collaboration across fishers, cultural practitioners, government, scientists, and local leaders, Maunalua Bay is now officially a Fisheries Management Area (FMA). This community-led effort reflects a shared vision: that fish and invertebrate populations in our bay can thrive through improved, locally informed management.
Maunalua Bay FMA DAR Surveys
Media Credit: Shaune Wolfe
Our Bay • Our Fish • Our Future
Eat the Invaders Event Recap
On March 1st, Mālama Maunalua hosted the Maunalua “Eat the Invaders” Fishing Tournament & Community Event. Fishers went out starting Friday, February 27th and finished off with the weigh-in, turned community event on Sunday, March 1st at Kuliʻouʻou Beach Park. The event was a call to the community to come together to fish out invasive species, learn about the new Fisheries Management Area in Maunalua Bay, and to connect with some of our amazing partners doing work to restore the Maunalua region.
Over 120 fishers across 36 teams weighed-in their catch totaling 1,256 lbs and 2916 invasive fish. Additionally, over 600 people attended this event with nearly 200 being keiki. Local I’a served fresh fried taʻape plates and Chef Hui boasted a peruvian style ceviche on a crispy tostada, along with a smoked taʻape fish dip. The community spent the day learning, eating, and celebrating the fishers catch with free community giveaway prizes and gyotaku fish printing stations.
Stay tuned for future events as we continue to bring the community together to “Eat the Invaders”!
NEW Maunalua Bay FMA Rules
The area covered by the FMA runs from the Diamond Head buoy near the lighthouse to the southern tip of Kawaihoa Point (Spitting Caves), to the shoreline. Boats that are transiting through the bay are allowed to have dive spearfishing gear or restricted species on board as long as they are in active transit.
The new rules for the FMA include:
-
Restriction on the take and/or possession of ʻalakuma (7-11 crab), horned helmet, Triton’s trumpet, ula (spiny lobster) and ula pāpapa (slipper lobster)
-
Restriction on nighttime dive spearfishing, beginning 30 minutes after sunset and ending 30 minutes before sunrise
