Pacific Islands Fisheries Group, a 501(c)3 non-profit Notable Projects

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Group or PIFG is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2005 to help organize and keep Pacific Island fishermen engaged and informed on the management and conservation of fishery resources in the Pacific.

All programs and projects aim to support PIFG’s mission and goals and are conducted to promote conservation and sustainable management of fishery resources for the benefit of and on behalf of Hawaii and other US Pacific Island communities.

Link to PIFG Info Sheet including all Projects

Fishery Research and Monitoring Projects

  • Advancing Bottomfish Assessment in the Pacific Islands Region – Main Hawaiian Islands Fishery Independent Bottomfish Survey (Contract 2009-2025)*

  • Tag-It, Pacific Island Regoin (PIFG Funded 2017 - Ongoing)*

  • Lokahi Fishing App Pilot Project, Hawaii (Contract 2023)*

  • Kumu Breeding Project with the Oceanic Institute, Hawaii (Contract 2022-2023)*

  • Striped Marlin DNA Tissue Collection, Pacific Island Region (PIFG Funded 2018-Ongoing)*

  • Large Bigeye and Yellowfin DNA Tissue Collection, Hawaii (PIFG Funded 2018-Ongoing)*

  • Largest and Smallest Bigeye and Yellowfin Tissue Collection by Vessel, Hawaii (PIFG Funded 2021-Ongoing)*

  • Supporting Community use of Electronic Reporting application to improve fishery data in the Pacific Island Territories of Guam, American Samoa and CNMI (Contract 2020-2021)

  • Identifying Stock Connectivity in Data Poor Regions of the North Pacific: Striped Marlin Cooperative PSAT and Conventional Tagging Program for Hawaii and Mariana Islands (Grant 2015-2019)

  • Mariana Islands Small Boat Economic Survey (Contract 2017)

  • Hawaii Charter Patrons Contact List and Noncommercial fishing Characterization (Contract 2016-2017)

  • Nearshore Reef Tagging Project, Hawaii (PIFG Funded 2016)

  • Tuna Tagging (yellowfin and bigeye) in the Main Hawaiian Islands (Satellite, Conventional Tagging and Smart Tag Development), (Grant 2015-2016)

  • Main Hawaiian Island Ahi Tagging Project (Contract 2015)

  • Advancing Coral Reef Fish Assessment in Guam (Contract 2015)

  • Biosampling of Hawaii Deep-7 Bottomfish from Maui (Contract 2015)

  • HMRFSS Pilot Shoreline Survey Project (DAR) (Contract 2014-2015)

  • Ulua and Papio Tagging Project, Hawaii (PIFG Funded 2013)

  • Guam Deep Bottomfish Tagging Project (Contract 2012-2013)

  • Guam Cooperative Bottomfish Research Project (Contract 2011, 2013 and 2015)

  • Marianas Small Boat Economic Survey (Contract 2011)

  • MHI Bottomfish Tagging (Contract 2010-2015)

  • Hawaii Oio Tagging Project (Grant 2010-2013)

  • Ulua/Papio Age Life History (Otolith and Gonads) Study, Hawaii (PIFG Funded 2009)

  • NWHI and MHI Bottomfish Tagging Project (Contract 2007-2009)

  • Drop Shot Production and Distribution Project, Hawaii (PIFG Funded 2007)

  • Hawaii Statewide Tagging Challenge (PIFG Funded 2006-Current)

  • Guam Volunteer Nearshore Tagging Project (PIFG Funded)

Fishery Development Projects

  • “How to videos” to Enhance Next-Generation Fishermen Engagement in Pacific Islands Small Boat Pelagic and Bottomfish Fisheries, Conservation and Management. (Grant 2021-2023)*

  • Development of Hawaii Squid Fishery and Marketable Products (Grant 2021-2023)*

  • Development, Promotion and Marketing of Locally Caught Alfonsin in Hawaii’s Seafood Market and Restaurants (Grant 2022-2024)*

  • Celebrating Hawaii’s Pelagic Trolling Lure Masters (PIFG Funded 2020-Ongoing)*

  • Development of Mariana Islands Squid (Ika) and Monchong Fishery through Domestic and Regional Marketing and Promotion (Grant 2022-2024)*

  • Identifying community ideas and prospects to diversify and promote fresh ahi, yellowfin tuna, landed by the Kaua`i small boat fishery (Grant 2020- 2022)

  • Tracing Tracks of Hawaii’s Early Fish Mongers (Grant 2018)

  • Hawaii Bottomfish Oral History Project (Contract 2016-2017 and Contract 2017-2018)

  • CNMI Exploratory Squid Fishery Development Project (Grant 2018-2021)

  • Marine Recreational Fishery Liaison in the Western Pacific Region (Contract 2009- 2010)

    Community Education and Seafood Development Projects

  • Fresh Local Fish for High School & College Culinary Program (Grant 2023-2025)*

  • Lawai’a Magazine (PIFG Funded, Subscriptions, Ads, Donatations 2011 – Ongoing)*

  • Lawaia Keiki Fishing Program, Hawaii (PIFG Funded 2005 – Ongoing)*

  • Documenting Maunalua Bay’s History, Hawaii (PIFG Funded 2022 – Ongoing)*

  • Feeding the Kupuna during COVID-19, Hawaii (PIFG Funded September 2020)

  • Secondary School Culinary Education on the use of local Sustainable Fish, Fisheries, Seafood Safety and Management, Hawaii (Grant 2015)

  • Culinary Kids Feed Culinary Events - Ahi Bowl, Hawaii (Grant 2015)

  • Culinary Internship Program, Hawaii, Alaska (Grant 2014-2016)

  • Kids Fishing Days to Facilitate Fishing, Water Safety, and Resource Conservation Education and Outreach to Hawaii’s Youth (PIFG Funded 2014)

  • Hawaii Seafood Village (March 8, 2014, Honolulu Ekiden Festival) (Grant 2014)

  • Hawaii Fishing and Seafood Festival (PIFG Funded, Grant, Contract 2007–2014)

  • Sea-To-Me Event to Facilitate Outreach and Education on Hawaii’s Fresh Fish Fisheries, Seafood Safety and Handling and Traditional Fisheries, Hawaii (PIFG Funded, Grant 2013)

  • Sustainable Fish in Hawaii High School Culinary Programs (Grant 2013)

  • Hawaii’s Fishing For the Hungry Tournament (PIFG Funded 2013, 2014, 2015) (Ongoing in partnership with Hawaii Fishermen for Conservation and Traditions)

  • Mike Sakamoto Memorial Scholarship Challenge, Hawaii (PIFG Funded 2009-2013)

  • Sea-To-Me Event to Facilitate Outreach and Education on Hawaii’s Fresh Fish Fisheries, Seafood Safety and Handling and Traditional Fisheries, Hawaii (PIFG Funded 2012)

  • Seafood Mystery and Misery, Hawaii (PIFG Funded 2009)

  • Keiki Taape Challenge, Hawaii (PIFG Funded 2008)