Kaua‘i fishers are leading first Hawai‘i Invasive Species Roundup with prizes totaling $5,000

Kaua‘i is in the lead of the first Hawai‘i Invasive Species Roundup, a free statewide fishing challenge that is targeting roi, or peacock grouper; ta‘ape, or bluestripe snapper; to‘au, or blacktail snapper; and tilapia.

The challenge began July 31, and by Thursday 35 Garden Isle fishermen and women had earned a combined 2,472 points – or 261 catches. It ends Sept. 14.

Kaua‘i competitor Corey Medeiros now holds the lead for the longest tilapia, while another local, Taelee Kimura, is currently on track for the shortest, at less than 1-inch long. And Kaua‘i registrant Alexei Daunis currently has the third-longest roi.

“We are very pleased with the response so far, and folks seem to be having a great time with the competition,” said Sean Simmons, founder and president of MyCatch and Angler’s Atlas, the mobile phone app and website behind the contest.

The MyCatch app aims to improve fisheries research and management through data provided by fishermen throughout North America – and now Hawai‘i. Participating anglers need not worry: Their precious “secret spots” are kept confidential by MyCatch, which requires scientific researchers to adhere to a series of strict conditions.

Other Kaua‘i locals on or near the top of statewide leaderboards include Jacob Andres, Peter Same, Kimberlee Lindstedt, Desmond Souza, Billy Bernabe, Lanakila Texeira-Medeiros, Kyle Robinson, Kateo Lindstedt-Aipoalani and Kekila McCullen.

They are just a fraction of more than 100 individuals – divided into four regions including Kaua‘i, Big Island, O‘ahu and Molokaʻi, Maui and Lānaʻi – participating throughout the state.

“Folks are still joining the competition, and can continue throughout the event,” Simmons said.

Ta‘ape were by far the most-caught fish on Kaua‘i as of last week, followed by tilapia, to‘au and roi.

Invasive roi were introduced to Hawaiian waters in the 1950s with the intent to boost declining local fish stocks, according to the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee. The fish is now the most dominant inshore predator in the main Hawaiian Islands, raising concern it’s devouring native species – particularly ones prized by commercial and recreational fishermen.

Ta‘ape were also introduced to Hawai‘i to provide additional fishing opportunities and food sources. There is no predator that prefers taʻape, according to KISC, which states the best control available is fishing pressure – luckily, ta‘ape is reportedly delicious and can be prepared in a wide variety of ways.

Data collected throughout the Invasive Species Roundup will be presented in mid-September at the 154th annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society in Honolulu.

“A number of conference attendees are interested in fishing on the island, so maybe we can get some of them signed up for the event,” Simmons said. “Our plan is to present results at the conference on Tuesday, Sept. 17, so we can show the attendees how anglers and spearfishers are able to play a meaningful role in fisheries science, management and conservation.”

Invasive Species Roundup prizes totaling $5,000 are divided by species and include prizes for longest and shortest fish, as well as “hidden length” and keiki prizes.

For more information – including rules, instructions, prize categories and leaderboards with photos of catches – click here.