Bottom Fish Bottom fishes like ehu, onaga (deep sea red snapper), and opakapaka (pink snapper) live in deep water. Bottom fishes are found throughout the Hawaiian waters at depths between 100 to 150 fathoms (600 - 900 feet).
They are not unique to Hawai'i and are found throughout the central and southwest Pacific Ocean. Fishes like onaga and ehu have always been highly valued fish in Hawai'i. Their bright red color means good luck in Asian culture and the fish is often served on ceremonial occasions where its symbolic meaning is important. The red snappers are also fine eating fish, even raw as sashimi and are popular in restaurants and for home consumption. These fishes are slow growing and take a long time to mature and reproduce and are susceptible to over fishing.
Over Fishing Over fishing is when fish are caught faster than they can reproduce such as when large mature fish are depleted and more immature fish which have not yet spawned are caught. We need to fish wisely to protect populations. By not over fishing, fish populations have time to increase their numbers so there will be fish for everyone to enjoy in many years to come. Fishing is an important part of life for many local residents. Unfortunately many of our fishery resources have been declining for years. Some of our bottom fishes like onaga and opakapaka are at critically low levels around the main Hawaiian Islands. We must reduce over fishing to help the populations of these species recover. Fishery resources must be managed so fish and other aquatic life can be conserved and sustained for future generations. What you can do:
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