The debate surrounding the reopening of fisheries for aquarium fish in West Hawaii is still gaining momentum as we approach the deadline for petitions and public comments, before The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DNLR) makes its final decision. The Hawaiian Supreme Court banned aquarium fisheries in 2017, and in the coming weeks, the DNLR and the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) will hold public hearings on
proposed rules regulating the aquarium fishery.
Interested persons are urged to participate in the public hearing to present relevant information and individual opinions for DLNR to consider.
USA Today has picked up the debate: https://news-usa.today/hawaii-aquarium-fishing-ban-vs-limited-resumption-debate/#google_vignette
DAR is especially interested in gathering testimony on any impacts these increased restrictions and requirements on the aquarium fishery may have on local, independent small businesses (less than 100 employees). DAR is seeking testimony identifying any native Hawaiian traditional and customary rights or practices affected by the proposal as well as suggestions on how to mitigate any negative impacts to those affected rights.
The online public hearing, which is accepting public testimony, will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 5:30-8:30PM (EST). If you wish to testify, you must register HERE
The deadline to submit written testimony is Sunday, April 12, 2026. Written testimony may be e-mailed to [email protected] or mailed to:
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Division of Aquatic Resources
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, 96813
To learn more, visit the DNLR website, or read more at:
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/F-2.pdf
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/F-2.pdf
What are your thoughts on the proposal?
The science says it’s sustainable and managed to the extreme. So we should ignore science? And let’s seperate out the animal rights issues as that’s an opinion and belief and you can have your beliefs but you don’t have the right to impose that on others. Cultural rights? Nothing in Hawaiian culture says no to collecting fish. Culture says protect the resource and a well managed fishery does exactly that.