Rick Gaffney
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
Gaffney holding a giant trevally at Palmyra Atoll. Fish was caught, photographed, and then released alive. Photo: Jason Schratwieser/IGFA
My favorite thing about fishing in a national marine sanctuary is realizing that the waters I am fishing in are contributing to the conservation of our ocean environment.
How many years have you been fishing?
I started fishing in Hawaii before I was 10 years old, so it means I have been fishing here for over 60 years!
How do you like to fish?
I enjoy being on, in or around the ocean, so fishing is a natural hobby. I also enjoy the planning, the search, the initial tug on the line, the battle and the outcome, whether it be releasing the fish, or taking it to family and friends for consumption.
What kind of things do you do to encourage sustainable and responsible fishing?
I participate in local, state, federal and international advisory bodies, such as Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s advisory council. I also participate in the legislativein process to ensure our fisheries are preserved and protected.
What changes, if any, have you noticed in your fishery?
The quality of our pelagic fishery has changed little in my lifetime, however, the quality of our nearshore fishery has definitely declined as over-fishing, climate change, and coastal impacts from development, run-off, and inadequately treated sewage wreak havoc with those ecosystems.