糖心视频

Indigenous aquaculture systems in Hawai驶i, known as loko i驶a or fish ponds, can increase the amount of fish and fisheries harvested both inside and outside of the pond. This is the focus of a study published by a team of researchers at the University of Hawai驶i at M膩noa Hawai驶i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB). Today, aquaculture supplies less than 1% of Hawai驶i's 70 million pounds of locally available seafood, but revitalization of loko i驶a has the potential to significantly increase locally available seafood.

The paper is in the journal Ecosphere.

According to historical accounts, loko i驶a can create surplus fish inside the pond, but their role as a nursery ground seeding surrounding fish populations has received less attention.

"We have demonstrated the ability of Indigenous aquaculture systems to produce a surplus of fish as well as supplement fisheries in the surrounding estuary," said lead author and marine biology Ph.D. candidate Anne Innes-Gold. "We have heard people voice the idea that historically, loko i驶a provided nursery grounds that may have supplemented fish populations in the estuary. Our study is the first that we are aware of to demonstrate this idea in academic literature."

Hawai驶i's unique aquaculture system

The Indigenous aquaculture systems found in Hawai驶i boast a design found nowhere else in the world, and are among the most productive and diverse of their kind. Loko i驶a historically yielded nearly 2 million pounds of fish annually, and hoa驶膩ina (land tenants) and kia驶i (caretakers) initially managed them with a "take what you need" mentality to ensure the resource persisted. Most loko i驶a were destroyed in the 20th century, and by 1994 only six of 500 historical loko i驶a were still operating.

"As aquaculture continues to provide a growing proportion of our seafood globally, revival of Indigenous aquaculture systems will be beneficial to sustainably maintain and increase our seafood supply," said Innes-Gold.

Restoration success story

One success story of loko i驶a restoration is the He驶eia Fishpond, located in Windward O驶ahu and stewarded by Native Hawaiian nonprofit, Paepae o He驶eia. Their mission is to link Indigenous knowledge with contemporary management to promote cultural sustainability and restore and maintain a loko i驶a for the local community. The benefits of restoring loko i驶a and related systems can help boost local food production, and provide community members with a space to nourish their bodies and minds, connect with 驶膩ina, practice reciprocity and promote cultural education.

With their foundational work complete, Innes-Gold and her team plan to simulate potential climate change impacts in a loko i驶a system.