Guys this is what I heard...the bill did not pass.....DLNR (dept of Land and Natural Resources voted against it too)They are going to re-word the bill and re introduce it to the table for discussion. Hawaii already has the largest marine sanctuary in the world and many of the reef was damaged due to a hurricane years ago(the reef has never been the same since the hurricane) and it's not from overcollecting fish....this whole bill originated from a dive/tour company who did not like the fact that collection is being done in the same areas that the tours are being conducted....Thus a whole bunch of inaccurate numbers and facts came about...Experienced divers know what kind of fish to target and that the large breeders are left in the ocean to spawn...the reefs are not damaged while collecting fish either because fish are chased away from the reef into a fence net or scoop nets are used only.....(speaking from experience) This bill if passed when it is reintroduced will open the door for many inexperienced divers to collect fish and sell retail directly to the public rather than to a wholesaler or distributor. 20 fish is not enough to cover boat expenses,rent on a warehouse,shipping supplies etc for any wholesaler to stay in business and imported fish will be more heavily relied upon...so divers will all go independant and jack up their prices.....It will also open the door for more blackmarket activity....DLNR does not have the manpower to enforce this bill. anyways dont get me wrong I think size limits and catch limits should be in place but 20 fish per day(only 5 yellow tangs limit) is too harsh of a regulation for the aquarium trade market in Hawaii to sustain Perhaps a tax on importation or exportation of marine fish should be in in place to fund more aquacultured hatcheries in Hawaii. ....You know whats a funny thing...The seafood trade (longliners..etc..) is more of an impact on Hawaii's fishes than a diver/collector in the aquarium trade yet there is no and probably will never be a collection limit for fisherman just higher tuna fish prices...why? probably because the seafood industry produces billions of taxable dollars vs. the millions in the aquarium trade.....or because perhaps a reef fish looks prettier than a mahimahi or tuna fish.....hmmmmm just my opinion....aloha for a diver/collector on a little rock in the pacific ocean.....
