The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-01-30

The system OF fencing off arms of the
sea for the formation of muliet ponds
IS practically, in American territory, con-
fined TO Hawaii. The recognition of pri-
vate ownership in such ponds is contrary
to American precedents. If it be found
impracticable to recognize such private
ownership, these ponds may be condemn
ed by the United States government and
again leased to private persons. The
best interests of the fisheries will be
served by leaving their present owners
in undisturbed possession. The matter
should, however, receive careful consid-
Grafton, as the action of Congress will
constitute a permanent precedent Un-
der Hawaiian law the sea between the
land and the barrier reef Is also held as
personal property. The act estabifsh,nr
the Territory of Hawaii wisely provided
for the extinction OF such titles.
90 Aiter the nshery rights are abolishe5 in
i'Os mere will be almost no restrictions
on the general fisheries At the present
-.me very fine-meshed seines are used.
| especially around Honolulu and Hilo. and
immense numbers of very young fish,
such as the mullet, ulua and akule, from
TWO inches in length up, are caught and
sold, although it is against the law to
sell young mullet under four inches In
length. Unless this great drain on the
young is stopped the fisheries are bound
to suffer severely
The use of fine-meshed nets and the
sale Of small fish should be absolutely
prohibited.
The same remark applies to the various
species or mullfdae, known as weke. ma
ano. muno, kumu, umu, ETC. Two of
these species, the munu and the umu.
stand among the very first quality of
hawaiian food fishes, ranking with the
famed red sur-mullet of Europe.
The large shore fishes known fIfa
are worthy of similar protection. Hun
dreds of young too small to be of any
food value are taken every day in the
seines in Pearl Harbor and in the Bay
Of Hilo
For the adequate protection of the
fishes of the Hawaiian Islands the fol-
| lowing regulations are suggested.
REGULATIONS SUGGESTED.
1. The size of the meshes of seines
should be limited. No seine with a mesh
less than three inches in extension should
be used. An exception may be made
which viii lallow the use of seines not ex-
ceed:ng 80 feet in length and with mesh
not under three-eighths of an inch in ex-
tension for the purpose of taking bait.
2. The capture taking in any man.
. ner whatsoever or the selling, offering
for sale, or having in possession any
amaama weke, moano, kumu, or nunu,
, or other fish of the family mullidae of
less than eight inches in length should
be prohibited.
| 8. The minimum size limit for the ulua
and related species of the family caran-
gidae should be II inches.
4. The minimum size limit for all spe-
cies other<-tf1an those specifically men,
toned above should be five inches.
5. The amama, or mullet, is of great
Importance On the islands of Oahu and
Molokai, and in order to properly con-
rflr.1xv ha fOH
during their spawning season should be
prohibited. Their principal spawning
season is from the latter part of October
to the early part of February.
g. The selling of female ula locally
known as Iobster) when carrying eggs
should be strictly prohibited. While there
is no present sign of decrease in the
supply of this crustacean, 1T is better
to start now than when it is too late
T. As the waters of Pearl Harbor seem
to be favorably adapted to the raising or
oysters it would be well if this industry
could be established and fostered by the
passage of law permitting the leasing
of small plots of land under water, ad-
jacent to the shores, for the purpose OF
planting and raising oysters. There are
at present a few beds of small native
oysters scattered through Pearl Harpor,
but very little dependence can be placed
upon these to supply the demand. Sew
eral efforts have been made to introduce
oysters from the eastern portion of the
United States and from California, and
the results were sufficient to show that
with proper care and encouragement,
such as recommended above, a profitable
could be built up.
s. An efficient force of fish wardens
should also be provided for in order to
see that the laws are properly enforced.
Each warden could have a certain dis
trict, in which he would reside, and he
would thus be enabled to keep a close
over the fishermen.
9. 1t is also recommended that the ma
tive birds of the islands should be pro-
Continued on oe %