Overfishing has had documented effects on coral reef ecosystems, with effects including reduced species distribution, abundance, and size of individuals. Inappropriate fishing practices may also adversely impact habitat or protected species. Current fishing is relatively limited in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, given their remoteness. Fishing could pose threats in this area.

Coral reefs may also be damaged by anchors and fish traps. The level of this damage is currently unknown, given the remote nature of the islands and limited research, recreational, and commercial fishing activity there.

While well intentioned, the presence of tourists, educators, and scientists in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands could pose threats to the environment as well. Besides increased risk of introducing alien species, human presence can disrupt breeding behaviors of monk seals, seabirds, green sea turtles, and other species. Infrastructure to support humans on these small islands and atolls can lead to habitat loss, reef sedimentation, and contamination. Increased vessel and aircraft activity provides for the potential for shipwrecks and bird-strikes.

Diseases also are threatening some species in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, such as the green sea turtle. Although the number of green sea turtles appears to be growing, an increasing number exhibit signs of a tumor-causing virus that eventually can lead to the death of the animal.

Hawaiian monk seal populations are threatened by shark predation, limited prey, and the species' own mobbing behavior.

Existing Management Regimes

In 1909, President Theodore Roosevelt set aside most of the islands and reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for the protection of sea birds. Today, the Fish and Wildlife Service manages eight islands (not including Midway and Kure Atolls) as the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Under the law governing refuges, all uses within the Refuge are prohibited unless they are determined to be compatible with the purposes of the Refuge. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations prohibit all fishing within the Refuge.

Midway Atoll is an unincorporated U.S. possession and is not part of the State of Hawaii. Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1988 as an overlay Refuge on military land. In 1996, the military transferred jurisdiction and control for Midway Atoll and its Naval Defensive Seas to the Fish and Wildlife Service. The agency has a long-term contract with Midway Phoenix Corporation, which maintains the airfield and operates an ecotourism business on the atoll.

The National Marine Fisheries Service regulates fishing from the outer boundary of State waters out to 200 nautical miles from shore, based on fishery management plans recommended by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. Under National Marine Fisheries Service regulations, a Protected Species Zone to protect endangered Hawaiian monk seals extends for 50 nautical miles around each island and includes a 100 nautical mile-wide corridor connecting the islands.

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