MMA Overview

Marine Management Areas Overview

Ecological stewardship is not a novel concept in the Hawaiian Islands. An intimate understanding of biological and ecological connectivity between marine habitats and people allowed Native Hawaiians to manage marine ecosystems for continued abundance of resources, ‘āina momona. This ensured that the resources could sustain the people of Hawai‘i for centuries. Many communities across the state still use fishing practices based on traditional knowledge passed down from generation to generation.

To help protect and restore our nearshore resources, the Holomua Marine Initiative is working with communities to build island-specific strategies that include effectively managing nearshore resources around each main Hawaiian island. Reaching this goal is critical to reversing declines as well as sustaining healthy reefs, livelihoods, and communities across our island state.

What is a marine management area?

A marine management area, or MMA, is a place in state marine waters that is designated by statute or administrative rule for the purpose of managing how people use the geographic area and the ecologically and culturally important marine resources within its boundaries. The resources may include any type of marine life (e.g. fishes, invertebrates, algae) and their habitats. The goal of an MMA may also include preservation of cultural or historical resources or serve to resolve user conflicts.

 

Click here to zoom in on the map above to view MMAs in Hawai‘i

Each MMA has its own set of legally designated marine resource regulations, which may include fishing regulations such as restrictions on gear type, size and catch limits, or take of particular species. Click below to learn more about a few of the MMAs we have in Hawai‘i.

What are the benefits of an MMA network?

A collection of individual managed areas that are ecologically connected into a network, such as through larval dispersal, provide benefits that are greater than can be achieved by single management areas.

MMA networks work by increasing biomass, species diversity, and fish abundance.

  • biomass — increased weight/size of fish in an area
  • species diversity — a larger variety of fish and coral in an area
  • fish abundance — more fish means better fishing and more fish replenishing the next generation of fish

To learn more about the benefits of MMAs and see real life success stories here in Hawai‘i, visit our Science Behind Holomua webpage.

A strategically planned network of MMAs also improve habitats by providing better living conditions for marine life in coral reefs and other nearshore habitats, which in turn provides more homes for more fish and other marine life. A strong MMA network that includes different habitat types can also protect important fish throughout stages of their life cycle so that they provide and replenish the next generation of fish. Click here to read more about the ecological design principles that act as guidelines for creating effective MMA networks.

 

Photo: John Burns/NOAA

What does this mean for communities?

  • Better fishing, diving, snorkeling
  • Better habitats for marine life
  • Preservation of our cultural heritage and customary subsistence fishing practices
  • More resources for our keiki in the future to learn traditional practices
  • Healthy habitats for marine life so that they are more resilient to change
  • Increased coastal and reef resilience to climate change and local stressors
  • Enhanced connection to place through culture, spirituality and well-being
  • Protection and restoration of our ocean’s unique natural diversity and resources