Hawaii turtles rebound and Native Hawaiians seek harvest rights

Hawaii's green sea turtle populations have increased and are now common on many beaches, and some Native Hawaiians are calling for limited cultural harvest rights while federal protections under the Endangered Species Act remain in place.

Hawaii's green sea turtle population has grown in recent decades and the animals are now a familiar presence on many beaches. That rebound has increased tourism and renewed debate about whether Native Hawaiians should be allowed to resume traditional harvesting for food. Some residents, especially on islands such as Molokai, say they rely on subsistence fishing and want limited cultural access to turtles. Federal protections under the Endangered Species Act continue to apply to Hawaii's green sea turtles. Key points: - Green sea turtles were placed on the U.S. endangered species list in 1978 after population declines linked to commercial fishing. - The IUCN recently changed its global status for green sea turtles to "least concern" and reported population increases since the 1970s, while Hawaii's population has rebounded in recent decades. - Hawaii's green sea turtles remain listed as "threatened" under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and NOAA Fisheries says there are currently no federal authorizations that allow taking sea turtles for food. - Some Native Hawaiian residents and leaders say turtles were a traditional food source and seek limited cultural harvest rights; the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council has advocated for cultural use while opposing commercial take. - A 2012 petition to delist Hawaii's turtles was denied and conservation groups opposed delisting; scientists and some council members say a future delisting could include state-managed limits and monitoring, while others urge continued protections. Summary: The population rebound has prompted renewed calls from some Native Hawaiians to allow limited cultural harvesting, while federal law still protects Hawaii's green sea turtles. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council has sought federal review on the matter and is awaiting a response; federal agencies currently report no authorizations for take for food. If the species were removed from the federal list, management would revert to the state and any plan would be subject to federal monitoring for a period of years. Undetermined at this time.