Barbless Circle Hook Project

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Barbless Circle Hook Project A project to increase the awareness and use of barbless circle hooks to mitigate post hooking injuries.

In 2004, several scientists at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) began a project to increase the awareness and use of barbless circle hooks by Hawaii's shoreline fishermen. The program has been a big success due to the enthusiastic support and active participation of the fishing community. The Goals of the Barbless Circle Hook Project are to:
-promote fishermen awareness of the protected species conservation issue and provide practical ways to mitigate post hooking injuries of these animals;
-inform fishermen about the effectiveness of the barbless circle hooks;
-get fishermen to try using barbless circle hooks;
- promote responsible fishing practices such as the proactive use of barbless circle hooks; and
-educate the public about how local fishing and protected species can coexist.

10/23/2026

Upcoming events coming at ya!

Come get your hooks 🤙

Next newsletter coming soon!! 🎣 Make sure you sign up (link in bio) so you don’t miss it! Newsletter sneak peak: S. Toku...
10/07/2026

Next newsletter coming soon!! 🎣

Make sure you sign up (link in bio) so you don’t miss it!

Newsletter sneak peak: S. Tokunaga Store Ulua Tournament winner interview, the keiki strike again Hawaii's largest keiki fishing event returns July 18, 2027, species spotlight on the omilu, and updates on the B*H t-shirt design contest!

09/11/2026

Some upcoming events! Stop by and grab some free hooks 🪝 🤙

Aloha Barbless Circle Hook project fam! We need your help selecting the design for our next B*H T-shirt from our top thr...
08/04/2026

Aloha Barbless Circle Hook project fam!

We need your help selecting the design for our next B*H
T-shirt from our top three entries!

Vote below! 👇

Another incredible Kamali'i Challenge with 600 keiki hammaz registered and estimated 1000+ participants!! 🎣Oh yea, and d...
07/28/2026

Another incredible Kamali'i Challenge with 600 keiki hammaz registered and estimated 1000+ participants!! 🎣

Oh yea, and did we mention they were all fishing barbless!? Cheeeee!

07/14/2026

Upcoming events are here!!

Come check em out and get some barbless hooks 🤙🐟

Want a chance to have your artwork featured on our Barbless Circle Hook Project T-shirts? 🎣 👕 Submit your design today! ...
07/09/2026

Want a chance to have your artwork featured on our Barbless Circle Hook Project T-shirts? 🎣 👕

Submit your design today! Link in the bio!

These shirts will be distributed for free at B*H related events and fishing tournaments, and we want your design on there!

Deadline: July 31st, 2026

Rules:

🐟 Must be a Hawai’i resident to submit
🐟Applicants under 18 will need to get additional permission from a parent or guardian before filling out this form and provide us a contact number for the adult.
🐟Original artwork only (using AI or someone else’s artwork will automatically disqualify you and prohibit you from entering any future contests)
🐟Must prominently feature a barbless circle hook
🐟Maximum 3 colors
🐟Submit as PNG or PDF file
🐟Minimum resolution (e.g., 300 dpi)
🐟Design should work on a t-shirt
🐟The chosen design will have the B*H and Ke Kai Ola logos added on before printing

Winning Prize:

🐟Free Barbless Circle Hook t-shirt featuring your winning design
🐟Free Barbless Circle Hooks & Stickers
🐟Recognition on our website and social media
🐟DLNR-DAR Swag
🐟$100 gift card from your island fishing store sponsored by Ke Kai Ola-The Marine Mammal Center
🐟Additional Prizes may be included

The 2026 Tokunaga Ulua Challenge omilu winners that were fishing barbless!! 🔨🔨
06/16/2026

The 2026 Tokunaga Ulua Challenge omilu winners that were fishing barbless!! 🔨🔨

The 2026 ULUA Winner, fishing BARBLESS!!Mahalo for everyone’s continued support of the project and keep tagging us in yo...
06/16/2026

The 2026 ULUA Winner, fishing BARBLESS!!

Mahalo for everyone’s continued support of the project and keep tagging us in your catches!

Stop the scraps and help reduce shark depredation! 🦈 🎣 Please clean and dispose of your catch at sea or double bag your ...
05/29/2026

Stop the scraps and help reduce shark depredation! 🦈 🎣

Please clean and dispose of your catch at sea or double bag your scraps and throw in the dumpster at any harbor.

Recent research shows that shark depredation is a major concern in Hawai‘i, with at least 25% of fishing trips experiencing lost catch to sharks. One of the biggest drivers of this behavior is habituation—sharks learning to associate boats and harbors with an easy meal.

Dumping fish scraps in the harbor doesn’t just attract sharks to where people swim and boat; it trains them to follow us.

To protect your future catch and keep our harbors safe for protected species like turtles and seals, please dispose of all scraps in dumpsters or at sea. Remember, dumping of scraps in Hawai‘i state harbors is against the law.

Address

Haneoo Rd
Hana, HI
96713

Telephone

808 725-5326

Website

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