Swordfish under threat

ALARM is growing in Hawaii over the rapid expansion of the long line fleet operating in the state’s fishery, much of it targetting swordfish.

Catches of swordfish off Hawaii rose from 500,000 lb in 1989 to 2.5 million lb in the first five months of 1990, turning the area almost overnight from a minor to a major part of the United States longline industry. The council has be come concerned after being told by advisers that information was lacking on fish stocks in the area, even as to whether there is a single stock of sword fish in the Pacific Ocean. It has decided that, after more study, it could consider

limiting fishing operations based on

those boats operating there before June 21.

The number of longline vessels oper ating in the Hawaiian fishery has dou bled over the past two years, many of

the newcomers having quit the over exploited yellowfin tuna industry in the Gulf of Mexico or swordfish catching in the Atlantic Ocean. It is possible that vessels now experiencing declining catch es off the Alaska and United States West Coast might also be moved to Hawaiian waters and equipped with new longline gear.

There are now thought to be about 120 longliners fishing off Hawaii and fears that the number could swell to 150 in the next few months. This is a long way from the 37 boats operating there back in 1987, and at that time swordfish made up only a small proportion of fish landed in Hawaii by the longliners. Some of the boats do also fish for lobster, bot tomfish, albacore tuna and deepwater shrimp, but most of the effort is now concentrated on swordfish. □