Expansion of the Pacific Remote Islands and Papahānaumokuākea marine national monuments did not cause economic harm to the Hawaiʻi-based longline tuna fishing fleet, according to a study led by an economics professor at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Expansion of the Pacific Remote Islands and Papahānaumokuākea marine national monuments did not cause economic harm to the Hawaiʻi-based longline tuna fishing fleet, according to a study led by an economics professor at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
The results of the study, supported by the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project, represent the world’s first economic analysis of a large-scale marine protected area (MPA) post designation. The study’s co-authors, including John Lynham in the College of Social Sciences, analyzed observer records of individual fishing events, logbook summary reports and detailed satellite data on vessel movements.
“By analyzing independently collected data, we found that catch per unit effort has increased for the Hawaiʻi-based longline industry following each expansion,” said Lynham. “The bottom line is that these monuments are not causing substantial economic losses to the fishery.”
Read more at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Photo: Clouds of reef fish and corals, French frigate shoals (Photo credit: NOAA)
