Hawaii Fish Collection appears set to resume

[Reefing102]

For those following the Hawaiian Fish Ban, the collection of 8 fish species in October 2022, was approved by default after the Land Board failed to make a decision within the legally allowed 30-day period for the environmental impact study. Those species are:

• Yellow tangs
• Kole tangs
• Orangespine unicornfish
• Potters Angel
• Brown surgeonfish
• Thompson’s surgeonfish
• Black surgeonfish
• Bird wrasse

This approval was also pending the lifting of a court injunction on the collection.

Hawaii harvesting of tropical fish for aquariums approved | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

The saltwater aquarium industry has won a small victory in the battle to reopen Hawaiian fish exports. The Board of Land and Natural Resources – the agency that protects Hawaii’s natural resources…

reefbuilders.com

According to ReefBuilders, the injunction was also lifted in October 2022, however no fish permits have been issued and various groups have taken it back to court.

Hawaii aquarium fish update: renewed request for a ban | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

The Hawaiian ornamental fishery saga continues as we have just watched a State of Hawaii public hearing once again calling for a total ban on aquarium fish collection, just as we thought we might be…

reefbuilders.com

In early February, the two Hawaiian Legislature committees reviewed testimony regarding SB505 which would have been a law banning fishing for the aquarium trade. This measure was not adopted by the ommmitees and has failed.

Measure Status

www.capitol.hawaii.gov

Best I can tell (and ReefBuilders) based on everything I’ve read, it’s now up to DLNR to begin issuing permits provided no other court injunctions get implemented.

 

[Genetics]

It really depends up to the DLNR. They could hold off issuing permits for another season if they wanted to.

 

[Harpo]

There is a LOT of local opposition to resuming fish collection. I don't see the DLNR issuing permits.

 

[BrianD]

Nor do I.

 

[Reefing102]

I could see them being issued in very limited quantities or them dividing up the fishery even more so. But I can also see it being the same with none being issued

 

[BrianD]

They would have to overcome strong local sentiment against collecting Hawaiian reef fish and shipping them to the mainland.

 

[Reefing102]

I’m curious what the economic impact on this is as far as local fisherman and their livelihoods. Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand the Hawaiian peoples concerns and their culture so either way I’m good, yellow tangs are captive bred and I couldn’t afford a potters angel back when they were available (if I remember their price right) so theoretically, it’s not impacting me much at all

 

[BrianD]

You would find that if they are "local", the rules don't always apply.

 

[ayef12]

Where oh where are my yellow tangs? Still haven't seen them at any of my supplier's. Oh well, at least they are legal to catch if you want to kill them and eat them, in the crazy upside down world that we live in.
See attached article that I posted on our blog at:

https://aquacustomfishtanks.com/conserving-our-reefs-is-it-a-black-and-white-issue/

 

[Reefing102]

Yea, the issue from what I understand is the permits aren’t being issued currently.