UH News, first published February 27, 2024

About 60 specially raised pāpio (juvenile ulua, or giant trevally) were tagged and released into Maui’s Maʻalaea Harbor by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers in February. The scientists want to demonstrate that raising and releasing pāpio can offset fishing pressure and help rebalance the composition of the local reef fish populations. Putting more fish into the ocean also benefits communities by providing increased access to locally produced, sustainable seafood.

“Due to the great partnership between Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB), Maui Ocean Center and Oceanic Institute, we had a very successful tag and release of pāpio on Maui. These collaborations are critical to grow aquaculture within Hawaiʻi for stock enhancement, food production and ecosystem restoration,” said HIMB Associate Research Professor, Erik Franklin.

Each tag is labeled with a unique fish identification number and a note with instructions to call and report the date, length, weight, and general capture location of the fish (no need to reveal your secret spots!).

Nanko Fishing Supply is supporting the project with a raffle and prizes for participating fishermen at the end of the recapture period, approximately one year after the release date. The release was part of a research project for Spencer Davis, a PhD student at UH Mānoa’s HIMB.

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(Photo Credit: Maui Ocean Center)