Barbless Circle Hook Project

Barbless Circle Hook Project A project to increase the awareness and use of barbless circle hooks to mitigate post hooking injuries.

In 2004, several scientists at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) began a project to increase the awareness and use of barbless circle hooks by Hawaii's shoreline fishermen. The program has been a big success due to the enthusiastic support and active participation of the fishing community. The Goals of the Barbless Circle Hook Project are to:
-promote fishermen awareness of the

protected species conservation issue and provide practical ways to mitigate post hooking injuries of these animals;
-inform fishermen about the effectiveness of the barbless circle hooks;
-get fishermen to try using barbless circle hooks;
- promote responsible fishing practices such as the proactive use of barbless circle hooks; and
-educate the public about how local fishing and protected species can coexist.

Stop the scraps and help reduce shark depredation! 🦈 🎣 Please clean and dispose of your catch at sea or double bag your ...
05/29/2026

Stop the scraps and help reduce shark depredation! 🦈 🎣

Please clean and dispose of your catch at sea or double bag your scraps and throw in the dumpster at any harbor.

Recent research shows that shark depredation is a major concern in Hawai‘i, with at least 25% of fishing trips experiencing lost catch to sharks. One of the biggest drivers of this behavior is habituation—sharks learning to associate boats and harbors with an easy meal.

Dumping fish scraps in the harbor doesn’t just attract sharks to where people swim and boat; it trains them to follow us.

To protect your future catch and keep our harbors safe for protected species like turtles and seals, please dispose of all scraps in dumpsters or at sea. Remember, dumping of scraps in Hawai‘i state harbors is against the law.

a fun one the other weekend at Manini and Me, organized by .poe.lawaia !! A great chance for these keiki hammaz to test ...
05/28/2026

a fun one the other weekend at Manini and Me, organized by .poe.lawaia !! A great chance for these keiki hammaz to test da waters with fishing, and learning about barbless hooks and fishing reg sizes 🤙

more days like this soon! 🙏

Your kōkua is needed! Report any coral reef threats! responsible for managing Hawaiian coral reefs and responding to th...
05/06/2026

Your kōkua is needed! Report any coral reef threats!

responsible for managing Hawaiian coral reefs and responding to threats such as coral disease, coral bleaching, aquatic invasive species, coral predator outbreaks, and reef damage. Although DAR monitors coral reefs throughout the state, DAR heavily relies on community reporting to rapidly identify threats to coral reefs.

Eyes of the Reef (EOR) Hawai’i is a community-based organization dedicated to training community members on identifying, documenting, and reporting coral reef threats in Hawai’i.

EOR serves as a vital part of the rapid response process for DAR by providing the information needed for timely decision making on whether intervention is needed to address threats to Hawaiian coral reefs.

Reporting form: https://eorhawaii.org/make-a-report/ and linked in our bio!

Next newsletter coming soon, and you’re not going to want to miss this one! Some highlights: the catch of the quarter th...
04/02/2026

Next newsletter coming soon, and you’re not going to want to miss this one!

Some highlights: the catch of the quarter that went viral, Nabeta as the species spotlight, and some important updates on how to continue to fish pono.

Scan the QR code or click the link in our bio to sign up!

🤙🏽🎣

Check out these hammas from Mililani High School, learning about some pono fishing practices and fishing barbless!
03/18/2026

Check out these hammas from Mililani High School, learning about some pono fishing practices and fishing barbless!

This past weekend at Kaakako Kasting Clubs tournament was mayjah!There were 27 adult and 21 keiki barbless participants!...
03/13/2026

This past weekend at Kaakako Kasting Clubs tournament was mayjah!

There were 27 adult and 21 keiki barbless participants!

took 🥇 with a 12.26 lbs O'io caught fishing barbless!

The B*H crew has been busy! We were able to table at the Whale Tales event on Maui two weekends ago and chat with lots o...
03/06/2026

The B*H crew has been busy!

We were able to table at the Whale Tales event on Maui two weekends ago and chat with lots of fishers about the B*H project!

Last weekend was a busy one on O'ahu, with the North Shore Sporting Goods tournament and the Eat The Invaders tournament hosted by Mālama Maunalua. Total invasive species removed from this event were Taʻape (2,609 fish, 987.93 pounds) Toʻau (244 fish, 155.07 pounds) Roi (63 fish, 113.55 pounds).

Lots of fun was had a both events, and lots of barbless hooks were given out! 🤙🏼🎣

02/20/2026

Upcoming events for February and March are here! Come by and get some free hooks! 🤙🏼🎣

Mahalo for another amazing year of the barbless circle hook project! Mele Kalikimaka e Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou!
12/19/2025

Mahalo for another amazing year of the barbless circle hook project!

Mele Kalikimaka e Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou!

On Nov 30th, DAR staff Sierra Ondo from Maui and Tyler Kueffner from O'ahu posted up at the GT mafia catch and release t...
12/08/2025

On Nov 30th, DAR staff Sierra Ondo from Maui and Tyler Kueffner from O'ahu posted up at the GT mafia catch and release tournament weigh ins at Koki Beach.

Both staff were able to give away barbless circle hooks, a bunch of outreach and educational materials related to fishing and ocean stewardship.

Thanks to the GT mafia team for the invite and for an awesome tournament! 🤙🏼

Address

Haneoo Rd
Hana, HI
96713

Telephone

808 725-5326

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