Hawaii Fish Ban Update

[Macropharyngodon]

Yeah. They are small and sort of deep dwellers (relatively). It's kind of a lot of hoops to jump through but it's worth it I think.

They are also a bit delicate shippers which is unfortunate.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Update: just spoke with person in Hawaii who is fully involved with the program and he states:
They haven’t issued any permits yet. Theyre in the rulemaking process now to establish rules to regulate aquarium collection.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

My mistake “arriving this week” not today specifically (if the FB screenshot is not allowed, please remove)

There are two other avenues for “legal” yellow tangs; a few come out of Japan. Then, the personal collection allowance is being used as a loophole where people collect for personal use, carry them back to the continent and resell them.

 

[Jasonak]

They are also a bit delicate shippers which is unfortunate.

If it were me I would just bring him back on the plane with me in your carry on. You will probably get some confusion from TSA but shouldn't be a problem in the end.

 

[Macropharyngodon]

If it were me I would just bring him back on the plane with me in your carry on. You will probably get some confusion from TSA but shouldn't be a problem in the end.

Yeah, I think that's the best.

 

[areefer01]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO cant BUY the fish but you can go collect yourself. I believe the species restriction's are just for commercial guys. You would have to reach out to DLNR and make sure you could grab a potters. I know that the west side of the big island is closed to everyone.

It is a bit more complicated than that. Anyone attempting to do this or thinking about it would be well advised to go through the proper channels and make sure I's are dotted and T's crossed. License, permits, whatever is required.

 

[Macropharyngodon]

It is a bit more complicated than that. Anyone attempting to do this or thinking about it would be well advised to go through the proper channels and make sure I's are dotted and T's crossed. License, permits, whatever is required.

What is required then?

 

[Macropharyngodon]

It is a bit more complicated than that. Anyone attempting to do this or thinking about it would be well advised to go through the proper channels and make sure I's are dotted and T's crossed. License, permits, whatever is required.

Pretty sure its just a fishing licence (20$) and good communication.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Be cautious. "You can beat the rap, but you can't beat the ride!"

 

[areefer01]

What is required then?

That is not my area of expertise which is why I said "more complicated" and advise one to go through the proper channels. You can reach out to the division of aquatic resources and look for fishing or collection for personal aquariums. Make sure to ask about local resident vs vacation and non. Not sure if they are the same.

The last time I checked they made it clear to check local policy as there are rules on how one can collect, what can be, etc.

 

[Macropharyngodon]

That is not my area of expertise which is why I said "more complicated" and advise one to go through the proper channels. You can reach out to the division of aquatic resources and look for fishing or collection for personal aquariums. Make sure to ask about local resident vs vacation and non. Not sure if they are the same.

The last time I checked they made it clear to check local policy as there are rules on how one can collect, what can be, etc.

Makes sense, thanks for your help.

 

[Macropharyngodon]

Okay. It seems like the process includes application for a Nonresident marine fishing licence. And it requires that legal gear is used, which excludes certain types of nets/tools.

Aquarium purposes​

Any person with facilities for keeping live fish in reasonably good health may apply for an Aquarium Fish Permit to legally use fine mesh traps or nets (other than thrownets) for taking certain aquatic life.
Note: Due to a series of Court rulings , opens in a new tab, DAR has ceased issuing any aquarium permits for the use of fine mesh nets and traps to take marine life for aquarium purposes.
Noncommercial aquarium fish collectors may collect marine life for personal aquarium use, provided legal gear is used. Legal gear includes fine mesh scoop nets or hand nets that do not exceed three feed in any dimension (including the handle).

 

[areefer01]

Makes sense, thanks for your help.

Np, I was not trying to be vague. I ran into a similar issue collecting natural sea water in California during our drought. I received a lot of different replies from the various agencies with few willing to help :(

 

[Jasonak]

It is a bit more complicated than that. Anyone attempting to do this or thinking about it would be well advised to go through the proper channels and make sure I's are dotted and T's crossed. License, permits, whatever is required.

That is not my area of expertise which is why I said "more complicated" and advise one to go through the proper channels. You can reach out to the division of aquatic resources and look for fishing or collection for personal aquariums. Make sure to ask about local resident vs vacation and non. Not sure if they are the same.

The last time I checked they made it clear to check local policy as there are rules on how one can collect, what can be, etc.

The post I made about the current laws was from DARs page.

 

[areefer01]

The post I made about the current laws was from DARs page.

You had a few different posts so may have missed it. I was merely pointing out that one can not simply hop on a plane in Utah to Hawaii, throw on a swimsuit, collect something, and bring it home. As you are aware there are laws and regulations on what is needed, by whom, to do this.

Also one has to consider the travel cost. Average round trip via a quick search is anywhere from 400 to 700 USD depending on the time of year. That Biota Yellow Tang is still cheaper...

 

[JumboShrimp]

(And without the sunburn.)

 

[areefer01]

There are two other avenues for “legal” yellow tangs; a few come out of Japan. Then, the personal collection allowance is being used as a loophole where people collect for personal use, carry them back to the continent and resell them.

With regards to the Japan Yellow Tang - some hobbyist are already complaining about the cost of Biota's Yellow Tangs they will poo a brick once they see the cost of the Japanese version ;)

 

[Biokabe]

You had a few different posts so may have missed it. I was merely pointing out that one can not simply hop on a plane in Utah to Hawaii, throw on a swimsuit, collect something, and bring it home. As you are aware there are laws and regulations on what is needed, by whom, to do this.

Also one has to consider the travel cost. Average round trip via a quick search is anywhere from 400 to 700 USD depending on the time of year. That Biota Yellow Tang is still cheaper...

True, assuming you are only hopping on a plane to grab a yellow tang.

And while I would never do this, I hear that most people go to Hawaii for reasons other than catching their own yellow tang...

 

[UncommonSense]

True, assuming you are only hopping on a plane to grab a yellow tang.

As someone who’s actually gone through the Hawaii recreational aquarium harvest permit process around a a decade ago, then collected and transported my catch home, I can confidently say that you’ll be very hard pressed to catch any tang using permitted methods!

— I did manage to catch a few dwarf puffers, and even a trigger while snorkeling with fins and a net… but pretty much anything faster than you can swim will give you a wide berth!

— best bet here was tide-pooling at night, following the tide tables to go out at all hours of night with a flashlight to collect… though I never saw any tangs besides convicts using the tide pooling method…

 

[Biokabe]

As someone who’s actually gone through the Hawaii recreational aquarium harvest permit process around a a decade ago, then collected and transported my catch home, I can confidently say that you’ll be very hard pressed to catch any tang using permitted methods!

Yeah, I don't imagine it's a terribly easy thing to do. I certainly wouldn't try for a yellow tang, not when it's relatively easy (just takes money) to get a yellow tang.

If I were to ever try something like that (and I wouldn't, because I know my own ineptitude better) it would have to be for something you can't just buy. Like a golden dwarf moray... or a Potter's angel.