relatively calnij is broken up into several large channels swept by 

 strong currents^ conseqaently it is not feasible to use the gill 

 net in this area. Drift net fxshing can usually be done with safety 

 to the gear in the calmer waters bordering Hawaii. Oahu, and Kauai 

 during the entire year and during the sunmer off the islands of Lanai 

 and Molokaio 



Along these leeward areas the wind shifts from NE to Sff at night 

 and back to HE as mornajig approaches,, Ihe general pattern at all the 

 islands is nearly identical^ but the ext-ent of this shift varies 

 greatly between islands depending on the size and formation of the 

 mo\mtainso Ihe velocity., too; often vanes from to 30 knots during 

 the night o Ihe wind by itself does not seriously hanger the opera- 

 tions j but when it occurs simultaneously with strong currents and 

 adverse sea conditions j fishing becomes very difficult. Ihe currents 

 themselves are also variable both with respect to time and intensity 

 at the various localities and even within the same locality: Of two 

 sets made on September 26 and 27 in approximately the same locality, 

 the first set drifted mor-e than 15 miles while the latter drifted 

 only about 7 miles and somewhat obliquely to the drift of the first 

 sets 



Consequently, the allowance for the drift, the prevailing leeward 

 wind velocity and direction; and the anticipated morning sea conditions 

 tend to circumscribe the area of operationo The numerous small craft 

 and barges plying between the island? and the activities of commercial 

 and sport fishing vessels at times make the operations hazardousc 

 Hovrevers this situation could be overcome by fishing the net deeper; 

 if the gill net should be used commercially. 



The fishing seasons, as determined from the skipjack landings by 

 the live bait fishery, show considerable changes during the year and 

 from season to season Cfi-go k) - ^le first sizable catches of skip= 

 jack by the commercial fishery are usually made in kay: After increas- 

 ing to a maximum m J'ane or July^ the catches drop off gradually until 

 October or November, small catches, however p are made in most years 

 throughout the yearc 



The John E, L^anning fished extensively off the leeward coast of 

 Oahu in the Tfaianae-Kaena Point area, the most productive skipjack 

 ground in the Hawaiian Islands, during a period when fish should have 

 been fairly abundant (tables 3 and 5)= The occurrence of skipjack 

 schools was recorded regularly on this cruise as follows = During a 

 period of 17 days with an average of 5 hours per day spent in scout= 

 ing for tuna, a total of 12 fish schools were sighted under bird 

 flocks and one school without any accompanying birds. Nine flocks 

 of birds were also sighted, and although no fish were seenc the types 

 and behavior of the birds indicated the presence of skipjacka Half 

 of the schools were sighted in open water where it was inipossible to 



15 



