About the MLCD
Source: Pupukea/Shark's Cove Mall EA
The Pūpūkea-Waimea MLCD
The state-designated Pūpūkea-Waimea MLCD is important as a center for marine recreation, conservation, and fishery replenishment. The MLCD is one of a small number of areas in Hawai‘i where coral reef resources are almost fully protected. Local community members and fishers care about conserving our marine resources, are knowledgeable about our coral reef resources, and can use the resource wisely by practicing traditional resource management ethics.
MLCDs in Hawaii
There are 11 Marine Life Conservation Districts in Hawaii, with three on Oahu—Pūpūkea, Hanauma Bay, and Waikiki. According to the State Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) Web site, MLCDs are “designed to conserve and replenish marine resources. … They provide fish and other aquatic life with a protected area in which to grow and reproduce.” Less than 1% of coastline in Hawaii is designated as a MLCD, and less than 0.3% of Hawaii coastline is designated as a no-take area. The Pūpūkea-Waimea MLCD is NOT a no-take MLCD, though it does include no-take zones.
How the Pūpūkea-Waimea MLCD was created
The North Shore Neighborhood Board was approached in the 1970s by divers who expressed an interest in better management for the Pūpūkea area. Marine life was becoming more and more scarce, according to divers and fishermen alike, and the increased use of the area by commercial dive operators and fishermen was sited as a possible reason. The State’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) initiated public meetings in 1978 to discuss what to do. Fishermen were not opposed to making the area a Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD), but they didn’t want to be restricted from accessing the area; they especially wanted to be able to traverse the area to get to a popular spearfishing site. The Pūpūkea MLCD was officially created in 1983, with certain types of fishing and limu collecting still allowed.
By the 1990s, the DLNR recognized that the existing rules were too difficult to enforce and began discussing amendments to the rules. The North Shore Neighborhood Board again got involved, drafting amendments to the rules and presenting them to the DLNR. State Senator Robert Bunda and Representative Alex Santiago convened a task force of stakeholders, who recommended rules changes to the DLNR. After an extensive public hearings process, the area of the MLCD was expanded, and rules were revised several times—most recently in 2003. The MLCD now covers over 100 acres. It restricts fishing that impacts coral reef species. Only shore fishing and seasonal akule and `ōpelu fishing are still allowed in one limited part of the MLCD in Waimea Bay and limited limu (seaweed) gathering is allowed. Otherwise, any take of the protected resources in the MLCD is prohibited, including fishing at Shark’s Cove or Three Tables, using a spear gun even for transit, collecting marine life (including shells), fishing, gathering of `opihi, and damage to or removal of the coral.
Despite the added protection, the MLCD continues to experience serious threats such as over-use and improper use of the area, including harassment of marine life and trampling of coral and algae; illegal and over-fishing; and pollution from development in the nearby area.
Visitors and residents alike may be unaware of regulations and the impacts of improper behaviors such as trampling coral. Also, a lack of scientific data regarding the area’s carrying capacity has resulted in an absence of regulations regarding the heavy commercial and recreational use that the MLCD experiences.
Fishers in Pacific Island communities that have successful marine managed areas, as well as many scientific experts who have studied the issues, agree that effective marine protection and restoration strategies such as MLCDs – if effectively enforced by the community in partnership with the government – can successfully replenish and sustain fish stocks in and out of the MLCDs. More, bigger, and healthier fish benefit everyone and result in better catches outside of the MLCD. The entire ecosystem also benefits from a “rest” from human overuse.
The knowledge and support of North Shore fishers, recreational users, commercial users, and residents are vital to helping improve this precious resource so that there is more fish now and for the future.
This special area will continue to provide sustenance and benefits for present and future generations with the involvement of the entire community that uses and enjoys this beautiful area.
Why is the Pūpūkea MLCD Biologically Special?
The Pūpūkea MLCD is one of the very few places in Hawaii where an unchannelized stream flows into a MLCD and where both marine and terrestrial resources are actively managed. Although far from the ancient Hawaiian ahupua‘a management system, it is a step in that direction.
The entire Pūpūkea MLCD receives high wave activity in the winter months, mobilizing underwater boulders even at depths of 40 feet. Therefore it is educationally valuable as a study of high-wave impact zones because the wave activity has a profound affect on the ecology of the MLCD. Coral cover is relatively low, for example, and those that do live in the area are species that can withstand pounding waves.
Submarine caves are scattered around the MLCD and general area, including around the northeast point of the Pūpūkea cove.
Pūpūkea (Sharks Cove) is one of the most popular shore-entry destinations for snorkelers and SCUBA divers on Oahu, second only to Hanauma Bay. Pūpūkea has a depth of about 20 feet at the mouth of the cove. Diving is considered to be better outside the cove, where depths slope to about 45 feet. Waters just around the “tables” at Kalua-Māua are about 15 feet deep, and diving is considered to be better farther out at 30 to 45 feet.
Corals
The coral reef communities of the Pūpūkea MLCD have to contend with large swells every winter. So the coral cover is relatively low (10%) and includes mainly wave-resistant species. Encrusting coral dominate. According to a University of Hawaii CRAMP study [link to http://cramp.wcc.hawaii.edu/LT_Montoring_files/lt_study_sites_Oahu_Pupukea.htm], the most common corals in the MLCD are pōhaku puna (lobe coral) and cauliflower coral. Also present are crust coral, corrugated coral, and blue rice coral. CRAMP also reported finding the rare coral Montipora studeri in the area.
Fish
A recent statewide study of the 11 MLCDs titled “Marine Protected Areas in Hawai‘i” was conducted by Friedlander, Brown, Monaco, and Clark. The final report was dated March 9, 2005. [Link to http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/library/index.htm] Results showed that in the Pūpūkea MLCD, overall fish weight was four times higher in the MLCD compared to the outside areas open to fishing. Of the eleven MLCDs tested, Pūpūkea fell somewhere around the middle in relation to fish weight and reef life. Fish weight outside the MLCD was considered low (likely due to overfishing).
Major fish found in the MLCD were māikoiko (whitebar surgeon), mai‘i‘i (brown surgeon), na‘ena‘e (orange band surgeon), and umaumalei (orange spine unicornfish). No major apex fish such as ulua, or ‘omilu were found outside the MLCD. Hinalea (saddle wrasse) lau wiliwili (milletseed butterfly fish) and mai‘i‘i (brown surgeon) were common.
The University of Hawaii CRAMP study found that the most abundant fishes were the hinalea (saddle wrasse), while the mai‘i‘i (brown surgeon) had the highest biomass.
MLCD Regulations in Brief
Pūpūkea (Sharks Cove) and Kalua-Māua (Three Tables)
CAN
- take and possess up to two pounds (combined total, squeezed dry) of limu kohu and limu lipe‘epe‘e by hand harvest only, provided the limu’s holdfast is left in place.
- possess a knife for personal safety only.
NO CAN
- fish for, take, injure, kill, possess any marine life (including eggs), or possess in the water any device that may be used for taking marine life, except a knife for personal safety only.
- take or alter any sand, coral, or other geological feature or specimen, or possess in the water any device that may be used for taking or altering a geological feature or specimen.
Waimea Bay
CAN
- take and possess up to two pounds (combined total, squeezed dry) of limu kohu and limu lipe‘epe‘e by hand harvest only, provided the limu’s holdfast is left in place.
- possess a knife for personal safety only.
- take and possess any finfish with hook-and-line from the shoreline, with not more than two poles per person with one line per pole, with no more than two hooks per line.
- take and possess ‘opelu with legal nets during August and September, and akule during November and December.
NO CAN
- snag any akule while fishing from the shoreline of Waimea Bay.
- fish for, take, injure, kill, possess any marine life (including eggs), or possess in the water any device that may be used for taking marine life, except a knife for personal safety only.
- take or alter any sand, coral, or other geological feature or specimen, or possess in the water any device that may be used for taking or altering a geological feature or specimen.
Pono Practices
While these are not law, we ask that everyone follow these practices that help ensure the health of the reef ecosystem.
- Step in sandy areas, not on the living coral.
- Pick up trash from the water and the beach.
- Don’t feed the fish.
- Keep a safe distance from all marine life.
- Take only pictures—leave all shells and coral.
- Use waterproof sunscreen.
- Use the public restrooms.
- Help to keep Hawai‘i beautiful by sharing this information with your friends.
Boundaries
Waimea Bay, Kalua-Māua (Three Tables), Pūpūkea (Sharks Cove): From Kulalua Point to the Wananapaoa Islets, including waters and submerged lands to 100 yards offshore.
Current Regulations
DLNR Administrative Rules
(101KB PDF document)
DOBR Rules
(3.17MB PDF document)
Pūpūkea Task Force Meetings
Review the Task Force meeting notes