Shark Attacks on Hawaiʻi Fishermen Reveal Deeper Threats to Local Livelihoods and Sovereignty

In the azure waters off Hawaiʻi, a quiet crisis is gnawing away at the backbone of local fisheries—sharks are stealing a growing share of fishermen's hard-earned catch. For decades, bottomfish like ehu, onaga, and the prized red opakapaka have been staples sustaining both families and local markets, especially around celebratory times such as the New Year. Today, however, small-boat fishers face mounting losses as sharks increasingly intercept their haul before it reaches shore. "They’re basically losing money because they can’t bring in the fish," said Phil Fernandez, president of the Hawaiʻi Fishermen’s Alliance for Conservation and Tradition. When fish markets...