A new scientific assessment has found the supply of bottomfish in the main Hawaiian Islands may not be as depleted as was feared.

By adding new 2005-2007 data, re-analyzing data back to 1948, and conducting interviews with fishermen, scientists with the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center have determined that the so-called "deep seven" species are not overfished as indicated in a 2006 study, said Gerard DiNardo, a center fishery biologist.

DiNardo said there has been a decline in the quantity of fish caught in the main Hawaiian Islands, and by association the numbers that remain in the ocean, "but it's not as steep as it appeared."

That news will be presented today to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, which is considering raising the annual catch limit for ehu (squirrelfish snapper), gindai (snapper), hapu'upu'u (sea bass), kalekale (snapper), lehi (silver-jaw jobfish), onaga (longtail snapper) and opakapaka (pink snapper) to 254,050 pounds total, up from the 178,000 pounds total that has been in place for two years.

The new data supports a larger harvest without depleting the stocks, DiNardo said.

Details about the new stock assessment and possible management options will be presented at the council's "fisher's forum" from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Pagoda Hotel, 1525 Rycroft St.. The forum also accepts public comments.

The council is expected to make a decision tomorrow about the quantity of bottomfish that can be harvested when the fishery reopens Nov. 15. The fishery has been closed since April 16, when the former catch limit was reached.

The council sets policy for fishing in U.S. waters around Hawai'i and U.S. Pacific territories.