Research & Projects

Kauai Sea Farm combines traditional Hawaiian fishpond practices, environmental restoration, and modern aquaculture to restore and sustainably operate the historic Nōmilu Fishpond.

Invasive Species Removal & Native Plant Restoration

The removal of mangrove and replanting of native species at Nōmilu Fishpond is underway with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Mangrove is a highly invasive alien species, and its overgrowth is a problem for many Hawaiian fishponds. It can decrease water quality by depositing large amounts of organic material into the pond, contributing to nutrient loading, anoxia, sedimentation, and hypersalinization.

A takeover by mangroves can also result in the loss of native species richness and diversity. Following mangrove removal, Kauai Sea Farm plans to replant a variety of native species, including marketable edible plants such as native ʻakulikuli.

Nōmilu Fishpond Restoration

The Nōmilu Fishpond's ocean-water sources — ʻauwai, or channels that connect the pond to the ocean — were cut off for approximately 25 years following hurricane damage to the coastline.

Removing accumulated sand and debris from the ʻauwai reestablished the pond's water-exchange system. The pond thrived again after only one year of the ʻauwai being reopened and is now healthy, rich with algae, and home to numerous shoreline fish species including mullet, barracuda, moi, ulua, papio, and tilapia.

Future restoration work includes reestablishing the traditional mākāhā gate system at the ʻauwai. At high tide, mature fish in the pond respond to incoming seawater and move into the channels. Gates can then be used to retain and efficiently harvest fish from the channel.

Clam Hatchery & Nursery

Importing seed clams into Hawaii is not permitted. Operating an on-site hatchery and nursery provides Kauai Sea Farm with an ongoing and regular supply of clams for grow-out in Nōmilu Fishpond.

Kauai Sea Farm produces the hard-shell clam Mercenaria mercenaria. Nōmilu Fishpond was the first certified shellfish grower in the State of Hawaii. Mercenaria mercenaria were introduced into Nōmilu Fishpond in the early 1960s as part of a project conducted by Anuenue Fisheries, and the species thrived in the pond.

Kauai Sea Farm also works with Global Algae, a Kauai company, to grow algae cultures used in the nursery and hatchery.