Giant trevally
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Conservation
Scuba diver interacting with a giant trevally at Guam’s Gab Gab II reef

A decline in giant trevally numbers around inhabited regions has been well documented in Hawaii, with both catch data as presented above and ecological studies showing this decrease in numbers. A biomass study in the Hawaiian Islands indicates that the main Hawaiian Islands are heavily depleted in the species, which in untouched ecosystems comprises 71% of the apex predator biomass. In contrast, it comprises less than 0.03% of the apex biomass in exploited habitats, with only a single fish observed during the course of this research study. Prior to this, a 1993 report suggested the population around the main Hawaiian islands were not stressed, even though several biological indicators suggested to the contrary. This was due to the highly size-selective nature of the fishery, which theoretically should prevent a decrease in numbers. Despite this, populations have decreased, and in light of their continued falling abundance in Hawaii, several recommendations including banning the commercial take of the species, increasing minimum lengths and decreasing bag limits for anglers, as well as reassessment of protected areas for the species have been proposed by officials. The species (nor any other carangid) has not been assessed by the IUCN.

Some recreational fishing groups are also promoting a catch and release practise for the giant trevally, with this becoming an increasingly popular option for charter boat operators, who have also begun to tag giant trevally for scientific purposes. At large sizes, the species is more likely to be ciguatoxic, and therefore if the fish is kept it must be disposed of or sent to a taxidermist if it is a trophy fish. A catch and release approach has also been adopted by operators outside of Hawaii, with Australian operators who target the species by popping and jigging rarely keeping any fish.[8] Careful fish handling techniques have also been implemented by anglers so as not to damage the fish; such techniques include supporting the fish’s weight, using barbless single rather than treble hooks and restricting the time the fish spends out the water to a minimum.
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seafood, sustainable seafood, Types of Seafood