Can someone explain the current state of the Hawaiian fish ban?

[Thalasstronaut]

As I understand it, the harvesting of aquarium fish in Hawaii was formally banned back in 2021.

But this ban was lifted, at least partially (for some species) last year, with limited permits and quotas.

But so far, permits have not been issued, meaning there is still a lack of availability even for the species that would be “unbanned” last year.

Do I have this all correct?

If so, what is the hold up with issuing permits? Is there an estimated timeline for when we might see the fish back in the trade? What are we waiting on, exactly?

If the affected fish are coming back, I’m assuming availability will be more limited than prior to the ban, is there any estimate on how this will affect prices?

And is there a source to keep tabs on for news with this? Is there a “fish news” publication or aggregate?

 

[tzabor10]

Thread 'Hawaii fish ban update'
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hawaii-fish-ban-update.965242/
It’s on at least 3 threads

 

[Thalasstronaut]

Thread 'Hawaii fish ban update'
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hawaii-fish-ban-update.965242/
It’s on at least 3 threads

I did see that thread, but it seems like it hasn’t been updated since last October. However in the “similar threads” link I was able to find one from this month, so thanks!

 

[Hawaii hobbyist]

First I want to clear up something that many people misunderstand. There isn’t a “ban” on a technical level. There’s a court order instructing state to do an environmental review(HEPA)before resuming issuance of permits. To ban you would have to go to legislature where fishery was statutorily created and that has never happened. The court order has been remedied but unfortunately, the administrative side of this process has been very slow moving and reluctant to go to permitting meeting because they fear litigation from environmental groups that cannot come to terms with the fact that EVERYTHING they alleged in court to get the HEPA requirement, was obliterated by the facts/science. After years of legal back and forths, finally, the state is doing the right thing and moving forward to permitting. The meeting is next Friday the 23rd

 

[Seansea]

I just got back from hawaii and snorkeled all over the place. Was in the water at least 50% of my trip. The common aquarium fish seemed to be very limited in presence. Yellow tangs , Achilles tangs naso tangs racoon butterflies all seemed to be in short supply. Thought the ban had been lifted. Wonder if pirates go out in the night and collect?

 

[Northern Flicker]

I just got back from hawaii and snorkeled all over the place. Was in the water at least 50% of my trip. The common aquarium fish seemed to be very limited in presence. Yellow tangs , Achilles tangs naso tangs racoon butterflies all seemed to be in short supply. Thought the ban had been lifted. Wonder if pirates go out in the night and collect?

Who cares as long as people on the mainland get cheap tangs, am I right?

 

[Hawaii hobbyist]

I just got back from hawaii and snorkeled all over the place. Was in the water at least 50% of my trip. The common aquarium fish seemed to be very limited in presence. Yellow tangs , Achilles tangs naso tangs racoon butterflies all seemed to be in short supply. Thought the ban had been lifted. Wonder if pirates go out in the night and collect

I live here and have spent tens of thousands of hours underwater and this is BS. Where did you snorkel? What island and where specifically

 

[Hawaii hobbyist]

Lol. Read the scientific findings. The numbers are at all time highs. Lol

Science denialism at its finest

 

[stewy14]

I live here and have spent tens of thousands of hours underwater and this is BS. Where did you snorkel? What island and where specifically

went a couple years back to Oahu and before that maui, both had life, but not much, those were on hotel beaches tho

 

[Hawaii hobbyist]

Oahus reefs are far offshore and not accessible by snorkeling. There’s some exceptions like Hanauma bay. Maui doesn’t have good snorkeling either especially in Lahaina or Kihei where the hotels are. It’s sandy inside and as such, the sand smothers the hard substrate and prevents coral growth. You really need to have a boat to access the good spots on those two islands.The big island has very little sand and reefs along the shoreline. The water is deep all around and that brings in clean water. The fish populations are immense right by shoreline

 

[Seansea]

I was on oahu for 14 days. Went out to kanohe Bay way out, electric beach, wamai beach, sharks cove, queens beach. Saw more turtles then yellow tangs which is sad. Tons of the non aquarium trade fish tho.

 

[stewy14]

Oahus reefs are far offshore and not accessible by snorkeling. There’s some exceptions like Hanauma bay. Maui doesn’t have good snorkeling either especially in Lahaina or Kihei where the hotels are. It’s sandy inside and as such, the sand smothers the hard substrate and prevents coral growth. You really need to have a boat to access the good spots on those two islands.The big island has very little sand and reefs along the shoreline. The water is deep all around and that brings in clean water. The fish populations are immense right by shoreline

there are some places in Oahu...
maui has pretty good snorkeling...

 

[stewy14]

I was on oahu for 14 days. Went out to kanohe Bay way out, electric beach, wamai beach, sharks cove, queens beach. Saw more turtles then yellow tangs which is sad. Tons of the non aquarium trade fish tho.

exactly the same

 

[Hawaii hobbyist]

I was on oahu for 14 days. Went out to kanohe Bay way out, electric beach, wamai beach, sharks cove, queens beach. Saw more turtles then yellow tangs which is sad. Tons of the non aquarium trade fish tho.

And you did scuba or snorkel?

 

[stewy14]

I live here and have spent tens of thousands of hours underwater and this is BS. Where did you snorkel? What island and where specifically

in Oahu, I went to so many beaches, couldn't swim cause of all the reef...
for example... that one beach where u could walk across to the island during low tide, the beach next to the nasa observatories where people spear fish(I forgot the names sorrrrrryyyy)
ulehawa beach park has some reefs...

 

[Hawaii hobbyist]

there are some places in Oahu...
maui has pretty good snorkeling...

It’s not really good. I’m from the Maui Nui

I know that place like the back of my hand. There’s a few spots like I stated but it isn’t great. Most of the good reefs are only accessible by boat and even then, has way less fish than Hawaii island. It’s not because of AQ fishing, it’s about productivity of region for a whole host of reasons

 

[stewy14]

It’s not really good. I’m from the Maui Nui

I know that place like the back of my hand. There’s a few spots like I stated but it isn’t great. Most of the good reefs are only accessible by boat and even then, has way less fish than Hawaii island. It’s not because of AQ fishing, it’s about productivity of region for a whole host of reasons

u right about the fish, but, what is your def of a good reef?
I do believe u tho, but, in my 10 year old mind back then, I thought they were cool!
its very cool u live in Hawaii what is it like?

 

[Hawaii hobbyist]

u right about the fish, but, what is your def of a good reef?

I’m trying to speak in layman terms. I define good reefs by a number of factors such as coral coverage, coral heath, biodiversity and productivity/biomass

 

[stewy14]

I’m trying to speak in layman terms. I define good reefs by a number of factors such as coral coverage, coral heath, biodiversity and productivity/biomass

Aaah ok! then I completely believe u then! the reefs there are sad, nearly dying, but, its still a cool sight to somebody who has never seen a reef before except on tv or something!

 

[Solo McReefer]

There are just as many Yellow Tangs swimming off Hawaii now

As there were in 2020

The ban-not-ban is in place because of jealousy, power, and ideology

Not any science

There is just a subset of people who are evil and like to boss people around.

Normally those people have to have some sort of merit, gatekeeping, or IQ requirements. Not true now