Hawaii passes aquarium fish collection limits

[Timfish]

So how many commonly collected fish are endemic to hawaii? I don't mind this as long as we don't lose the ability to get any commonly kept fish.

If my math is correct appendix A of Hawai'i Department of Land an Ntural resources, Division of Aquatic Resources report, http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/pubs/ar_hrs188F5v2.pdf lists 104 species collected in 2009. 45 species had less than 100 specimens collected and another 54 species had less than 1000 collected (including 480 Flame Angels). By comparison Yellow Tangs were more than 1.6 million collected. The reference Billsreef posted, http://files.hawaii.gov/dlnr/meeting/submittals/130628/F-DAR-Submittals-F2.pdf lists the 40 species on the new permitted "white list", pg 29, chapter 13-60.4-7 (b). As I read these regulations there are no limits on yellow tangs between 2" and 4.5" TL and daily limits to no more than 5 specimens less than 2" TL and no more than 5 specimens longer than 4.5" TL. Also notable is no more than 10 Achilles Tangs per day and Flame Angels are no longer allowed to be collected.

 

[wii64brawl]

So as many 2"-4.5" yellow tangs can be collected? But none or above or below those sizes?

 

[Bratyboy2]

Guess we will be seeing more flame angels from Marshall islands then...forgot they were from Hawaii...better get one while ya can...jeez

 

[albano]

Guess we will be seeing more flame angels from Marshall islands then...forgot they were from Hawaii...better get one while ya can...jeez

Most people/LFSs have never seen a Hawaiian flame angel... They are rarely available

 

[Bratyboy2]

Really? I honestly thought that was the main place of collection... guess I learned something new!

Anyone know what's going on with potters angelfish?

 

[billsreef]

They are actually fairly widespread.

http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountryList.php?ID=7814&GenusName=Centropyge&SpeciesName=loriculus

A lot of what gets sold as Hawaiian Flame Angels never saw more of Hawaii than a brief layover for the the plane to refuel, if that.

 

[Timfish]

So as many 2"-4.5" yellow tangs can be collected? But none or above or below those sizes?

I would suggest downloading the PDFs the links go to. Some of it is pretty interesting, some is pretty thick. No more than 5 per day under 2" or over 4.5". While I did not see any specific limits on the number of tangs that could be collected between 2" and 4.5" there are restrictions on nets and there is the practical restriction of the amount of time a diver can remain under water.

 

[ninja66999]

wow, cnvos on here seem to turn bad quick lol

 

[Gill_bucket]

Just curious but how would one gain that experience without actually keeping fish and inverts? By that logic you would have to have the experience before keeping those animals.

Also it must be nice to have immortal fish because every fish I have ever bought will die at some point. Sure it may take 10 years, but if it is a wild specimen the moment it is removed from the reef it is pretty much dead for that system.

One way to learn is to read. I'm not saying YOU don't read, I'm just pointing out that many people just go buy a fish with no clue about its specific requirements. Another way to learn is start with freshwater or at a minimum start with more hardy fish. I see so many people buy a Yellow Tang as their first fish. Once again I'm not saying you did this, I'm just pointing out what I think the poster your responding to was getting at. Keeping fish is a privilege, not a right. The collection of marine organisms should be regulated. The price of fish will go up but perhapse that would lead to less thoughtless disregard for their well being.

 

[Gill_bucket]

That's not an ecological factor, it's an emotional factor. As far as the ocean concerned, any fish taken out of the ocean is as good as dead...even the one that lives in a well kept fish tank for 20 years.

Ya, but if every hobbyist had to replace their fish on an annual basis (due to improper husbandry) wouldn't that mean more fish are being taken?

 

[albano]

Ya, but if every hobbyist had to replace their fish on an annual basis (due to improper husbandry) wouldn't that mean more fish are being taken?

??????

 

[billsreef]

Ya, but if every hobbyist had to replace their fish on an annual basis (due to improper husbandry) wouldn't that mean more fish are being taken?

From a strictly fisheries biology standpoint, that is irrelevant so long as the catch is based on sustainable yields. Simply doesn't matter to nature if the fish we take live in an aquarium or die. Mind you, that is not saying we shouldn't do the best to keep our aquarium fish alive.

 

[ca1ore]

so long as the catch is based on sustainable yields.u

That is exactly the point! Doesn't matter why fish are removed from the ocean - whether for the table or the tank - as long as the catch is sustainable. The reality is that every fish that is caught for the hobby is a dead fish, just a matter of how long. Some will survive longer in our tanks than it would have in the ocean, some less.

 

[oldsaint]

The reality is that every fish that is caught for the hobby is a dead fish, just a matter of how long.

As opposed to living forever in the ocean?

 

[albano]

The reality is that every fish that is caught for the hobby is a dead fish, just a matter of how long.

For ANY reason!
Do 'food' fish have a happy life after they're caught?

 

[HumbleFish]

Just food for thought.....

 

[agruetz]

From a strictly fisheries biology standpoint, that is irrelevant so long as the catch is based on sustainable yields. Simply doesn't matter to nature if the fish we take live in an aquarium or die. Mind you, that is not saying we shouldn't do the best to keep our aquarium fish alive.

+ 1 total agreement sustainable practices are the best no so much which can and cannot be caught.

 

[Maivortex]

After being a resident in many islands of Hawaii I dont think any laws are going to change what is taken from the ocean. There is too much natural resource and very little enforcement. The people making the laws are uninformed, have lived there for a few years, think dolphins are cute fish, and could not tell a freshwater fish from a saltwater fish. I have volunteered in various reef societies on the islands and it is composed of reef amateurs that hate aquariums, mean while they are stepping on the reef with an inept ability to snorkel.
On the other side there are those that have lived on the islands their whole life and feel entitled to everything in the ocean. I would frequently camp on the beach overnight. During this time I have seen gill nets with illegal size mesh set on the beach over night , unattended with by-catch such as baby sharks, turtles, rays tangled in the nets and left to die. I have seen tiger sharks caught and stabbed to death on the beach and thrown back in "cause their bad". If these violators get a talking to from law enforcement it is rare let a lone any punishment. The islands are in need of education about the natural resources starting at the elementary school level. On paper it looks great, but No regulations are going to make change in reality.

 

[Timfish]

Miavortex, it is sad to hear about a shark being brutally and senslessly killed as they are so important to the health of Hawi'is reefs. I have to disagree with your generalizations however. Reading through the links posted on this thread it is clear the laws have increased the tang populations on the west coast of Hawai'i. If you know of conflicting research I am eager to read it.

 

[yagesz]

Humble fish that is the saddest thing I have seen posted. I really want an Achilles for my new tank and this saddened me.

On the main topic though I hope Hawaii successfully implements this plan. I hate reading about dying reefs and how they have shrunk and shrunk. I would like to see them better protected. And As the list shows the captive breeds thats fairly impressive. Have the fish i want are on that list and I will be buying as many as i can that are captive bred. Anyways. Just my thoughts