Sharks Eating Fishermen's Catch in Hawaii

Shark depredation is on the rise, causing major losses for local small-boat fishers

Mar. 10, 2026 at 7:48pm

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Small-boat fishers in Hawaii are facing a growing problem with sharks stealing their catch, a phenomenon known as shark depredation. Reports indicate sharks now bite off catch in at least 1 of every 4 licensed fishing trips in Hawaiian waters, with the rates at their highest on record. Fishers are losing money as the damaged fish cannot be sold, and some are on the verge of giving up the trade. Researchers and fishers are testing various shark repellents, but results have been mixed so far.

Why it matters

The rise in shark depredation is a major concern for Hawaii's small-scale fishing industry, which relies on catching prized bottomfish like ehu, onaga, and red opakapaka. The loss of catch is threatening the livelihoods of many local fishers, and the issue has become one of the most pressing problems facing the industry in the region.

The details

Shark depredation, where sharks swoop in and tear the catch off fishers' hooks, has become increasingly common in Hawaii's coastal waters in recent years. Fishers report losing at least 25% of their catch to sharks on a typical fishing trip. Various shark repellent products are being tested, including those that use magnetic fields, electric charges, and chemical scents, but the results have been mixed so far in terms of effectiveness and practicality for local fishing gear.

  • Shark depredation has emerged as a serious concern for small-boat fishers in Hawaii over the past several years.
  • The state of Hawaii has been collecting data on shark depredation for around 20 years, and the current rates are the highest on record.

The players

Phil Fernandez

President of the advocacy group Hawaii Fishermen's Alliance for Conservation and Tradition.

Bryan Ishida

Aquatic biologist.

Eric Stroud

Managing partner with the research and development company SharkDefense, which makes chemical shark repellents.

Carl Meyer

Research professor at the University of Hawaii Manoa's Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.

Mark Fitchett

Pelagic fisheries scientist.

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What they’re saying

“They're basically losing money because they can't bring in the fish. The fish markets won't buy a fish that has a bite on it.”

— Phil Fernandez, President, Hawaii Fishermen's Alliance for Conservation and Tradition (Honolulu Civil Beat)

“Personally, I didn't really know anything about the Western Pacific, and so I would love to get out there and test.”

— Eric Stroud, Managing partner, SharkDefense (Honolulu Civil Beat)

“We are building the first truly comprehensive effort to understand and mitigate shark depredation in these fisheries.”

— Carl Meyer, Research professor, University of Hawaii Manoa's Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (Honolulu Civil Beat)

What’s next

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council plans to report on its findings from a recent workshop on addressing shark depredation at its next Scientific and Statistical Committee meeting on March 17.

The takeaway

The growing problem of shark depredation is threatening the livelihoods of Hawaii's small-scale fishers, who are testing various repellent technologies and working with researchers to better understand and mitigate the issue. This highlights the need to balance environmental protection with the needs of local fishing communities.