Hawaii’s longline fishery is at risk. It’s time to take action

Aloha everyone,

I need to address something that's been quietly brewing here in on pier 38 and could have a massive impact on our local economy, culture, and most importantly, our food sources. Hawaii's longline fishery—one of the largest protein producers in the state—is at risk of collapse. This morning, the average price to wholesalers for ahi at the auction was just $1.81 per pound. Yes, you read that right—$1.81 per pound for some of the highest-quality fish in the world. This is a tipping point.

How can poke or sashimi cost so much at the grocery store or your favorite poke spot when the boats aren’t even making enough to stay afloat? We all love our fresh, locally caught seafood, but the reality is the longline fishery can't sustain itself if this continues. We’re at serious risk of losing one of our biggest local protein sources, and that would have devastating effects on our food security and economy.

So what can we do? It's time to take action.
Seek out and buy locally caught fish.
This might sound obvious, but we can’t underestimate the power of supporting local fishermen. When you buy locally caught fish, you’re helping keep the longline industry alive. Ask your retailers where their fish is sourced. Look for "Hawaiian" or "locally caught" labels. If it’s flown in from somewhere else, think twice.

Demand that retailers lower their prices.
Boats are now getting as little as $1.81 per pound, yet stores are charging 10, 15, or even 20 times that price? It’s outrageous, and we as consumers have the power to change it. Go to your local stores, ask them why they’re charging so much when the fishermen are barely making enough to survive. Check out the Hawaii Longline Association’s website (https://www.hawaiilongline.org/news-1) to see the actual prices these boats are getting, updated daily. Use that information when you talk to your retailers. They can do better, and we need to push them.

Call on the auction to reopen to the public.
A few years ago, the fish auction closed its doors to the public, and since then, retail prices have skyrocketed while the auction prices for fishermen have stagnated or even dropped. Why? Because we don’t have direct access anymore. If the public could buy from the auction again, it would help lower prices and create fair competition. Let’s make our voices heard and request that they reconsider opening the auction to the public. With enough demand, we might be able to make it happen.

This isn’t just about ahi or poke—it’s about preserving an entire industry that feeds us, sustains our local economy, and supports thousands of families across the islands. If we don’t act now, we may soon lose access to one of the few remaining locally produced proteins in Hawaii.

Let’s keep our money here, support our local fishermen, and demand fairness in retail pricing. Together, we can make a difference.

Mahalo for listening and taking action!