Hawaiis pelagic fishery, which includes bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna, and swordfish, is the largest of hawaiis commercial fisheries with an EX-vessel value of $80.2 million in 2022

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded Poseidon Fisheries Research LLC a cooperative agreement of $137,786 on January 1, 2027, under the Unallied Projects program (CFDA 11.454) to map spawning distributions of Hawaii's pelagic fisheries—bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna, and swordfish—through a collaboration with small-boat fishers.

The project trains local fishers to collect fish eggs and larvae during opportunistic spawning events using standardized sampling kits distributed to participating vessels across the main Hawaiian Islands. Collected samples undergo eDNA testing to identify which prized species are breeding in specific areas and at specific times. By systematizing real-time observations from the fishing fleet, the work will enable fisheries managers to map reproductive zones and forecast how changing ocean conditions may affect future fish populations. This fills a critical knowledge gap: Hawaii's pelagic fishery generated $80.2 million in ex-vessel value in 2022, yet the location and timing of early-life stages remain largely unknown and are essential for effective management.

Place of performance is Kapolei, Hawaii. The period of performance runs from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2028.

Despite the economic importance of these fisheries very little is known about where their life cycle begins (i.e., EGG and larvae distributions) which is critical for effective management. To address this critical knowledge GAP, the project involves a collaboration with local small boat fishers across the main hawaiian islands. Project leads will train small boat fishers how to use sampling kits to collect fish eggs and larvae whenever they spot unique spawning events at sea, and give each small boat fishers their own standardized sampling kits to use opportunistically in real time. These samples will undergo edna testing to accurately identify exactly which prized fish species are breeding in the area. By utilizing the everyday observations of fishermen, managers can map where and when these fish reproduce and predict how changing ocean conditions may affect future fish populations.