MAHALO FOR COMING!
Eat the Invaders Fishing Tournament & Community Event
About the Tournament
In the 1950s, taʻape, toʻau, and roi were introduced to Hawaiʻi. Initially intended to create new fishing opportunities, these species did not generate significant fishing pressure and have since been widely considered invasive by many fishers. Despite this, taʻape and toʻau are excellent sources of seafood and have been growing in popularity among both chefs and fishers. While roi has been known to contain higher concentrations of ciguatera in certain areas around Hawaiʻi, taʻape and toʻau generally pose fewer risks and represent a promising opportunity for sustainable seafood.
The tournament was created as a way to bring the community together to help reduce populations of these invasive reef fish while also raising awareness about the potential of taʻape and toʻau as delicious and sustainable seafood options in Hawaiʻi. By encouraging people to catch and eat these species, the event promoted the idea that we can “eat ʻem to beat ʻem.”
The tournament was hosted in part by Mālama Maunalua, a nonprofit organization committed to restoring the health of Maunalua Bay through habitat restoration, science and planning, and education and outreach.
Eligible Species for the Tournament
Taʻape
Toʻau
Roi
Image credits: Keoki Stender
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”!
Event Photos
Photo Credits: Mālama Maunalua