Shorelines near Diamond Head to close to fishing for one year | Fishing

WAIKIKI (HawaiiNewsNow)- Shorelines in the Waikiki area near Diamond Head will be closed to fishing for one year to allow the fish population to replenish itself, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The closure, at the Waikiki-Diamond Head Fisheries Management Area (FMA), will take place between Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2013.

 "Periodically closing areas to fishing was a practice used by early Hawaiians; it helped fish populations replenish themselves," said William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR chairperson. "We use a variation of that at Waikiki-Diamond Head for the same purpose. Closed years give fish a break from fishing pressure, and allow their populations to increase. Fishing experiences are then improved during open years."

The area to be closed stretches from the nearshore waters between the ‘Ewa wall of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium and the Diamond Head Lighthouse, from the high-water mark on shore to a minimum seaward distance of 500 yards.

Fishing within this area at any point during the closure is forbidden.

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