MEDIA RELEASE

The West Hawaii Fisheries Council, a community-based marine advisory organization, hold its regular monthly meeting 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 at the Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club at Honokohau Harbor. 

The council will discuss the Kealakekua Bay Stewardship Area Management Plan (www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/ksa) recently submitted to DLNR and invite public comment on the plan.  

They also will discuss the West Hawaii Fisheries Council 2009 Strategic Plan and designing implementation measures, as well as the possible regulations for certain marine fish species that has been the focus of several public meetings conducted by DAR.  

The council has active committees which are always seeking new members to sustain its broad scope. All of the interested ocean community are invited to attend council meetings on the third Thursday of every month or to join one of the council committees.  

Applications to join the council can be picked up at the Kona/Honokohau Division of Aquatic Resources office at Honokohau Harbor or from a member of the council.  

The mission of the West Hawaii Fisheries Council is to “manage fishery activities to ensure sustainability, enhances nearshore resources, minimizes resource depletion and manages conflicts of use”. 

The council was created under Act 306 by the Hawaii State Legislature to serve as the community source for formulating and recommending resource management issues for West Hawaii fisheries. 

For more information, contact Marni Herkes at 987-2171 or marnih@hawaiiantel.net.