Marine Managed Areas: Created by the Community, For the Community.  A proven way to insure fish stocks and resources for current and future generations.

Please Respect local fisherman and do not damage the coral reefs on which they survive!

Mahalo to the many organizations and agencies

that make this information possible!

The long term health of our families and our community is at stake. It is up to each one of us to make sure that our resources are plentiful.  Save Our Seas.

  One person can make a difference.

Marine Managed Areas have MANY different designations, some are Community Based Subsistence Fishing Areas; Some are Fish Replenishment

and Management Areas, where certain fish are left by fisherman and collectors to recover and “seed” other areas as ocean currents take the young of these animals and spread them around the islands. Some, like the tourist hot spot Hanauma Bay on Oahu, are Marine Life Conservation Districts and are completely protected areas only open to certain activities. There are even restrictions about fish feeding, litter, and suntan lotion.  

Management of Natural Marine Resources is Imperative!

In traditional Hawai'i, the Konohiki, or caretakers, managed natural resources on sections of land from the mountains to the open ocean referred to as an Ahupua'a. This wise conservation system prevented exploitation, pollution, and extinction of marine and terrestrial plants and animals. This also allowed a large population to take what they needed for sustenance without altering the islands ecological balance.

SOS Kaua’i focus research areas include:

1.) HA’ENA  Makua (Tunnels) to Ke’e, North Shore: Including the heavily tourist impacted Ke’e and Makua Beaches                

  

2.) KUKUI’ULA - Koloa Landing to Lawai Bay, South Shore: Close to the heavily tourist impacted areas of Poipu and Lawai Beach.

3.) HANALEI - SOS, Reef Check and state scientists have been studying this reef for decades!  Do all you can to help protect this jewel!

4.) KALIHIWAI - a bay and valley that are both magic and diverse!

5.) MOLOA’A - this rare coastal estuary must be cared for.

6.) Anini - Tourist hot spot and fish nursery area... Fish Huggers and Fish Hunters unite to protect this rare reef!

5.) Anahola - Hawaiian Fishing ground and incredibly diverse ecosystem. Now is the time to protect this area.

5.) Lawai Bay - An incredibly diverse ecosystem. Creatures of all kinds need protection here!

 

Because of their limited access, the nearby costal ecosystems fronting these survey sites have remained relatively unspoiled as compared to the surrounding Kauai beaches.

Contemporary marine resource management promotes improved environmental, cultural, and economic well-being of these areas and their inhabitants. Community education and coral reef monitoring generates baseline information, raises local awareness of marine related issues, and stimulates an interest in traditional Polynesian sustainability techniques.  Many residents depend on the reef resources to sustain their daily meals. Native gathering rights must be preserved. It is up to us to get together and make Marine Managed Areas places that promote all reef activities!