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Hawaii Passes Laws Creating White List and Bag Limits for Aquarium Fish

by | Jul 24, 2013 | Conservation, Fish, Industry, Sustainability

At the end of June, the Hawaiian Board of Land and Natural Resources, with a 4-2 vote, passed new laws limiting collecting of fish for the aquarium trade to a 40 species “white list” for the Big Island. In addition to the creation of a white list, three of the species found on that list will also have specific bag limits, which are detailed below. Along with the white list, the vote also puts an outright ban on spear fishing with SCUBA gear for West Hawaiian waters. This list and its bag limits are a bit confusing and seem incomplete. Regardless, they may not even have an impact on the number of fish being imported into the hobby. This white list is for the Big Island of Hawaii only, including West Hawaii, but other areas won’t share the same legislation, at least for now. Other counties may adopt a similar set of rules and regulations, which could really handcuff the trade throughout the state.　 All that said, I do not see any big issues with a white list or bag limits, to be quite honest. The white list is what bothers me the most, as it prevents certain species that could be eventually aquacultured from ever reaching that status, and it excludes other fish that might be in an extreme abundance, but merely left out. Below are bag limits and the 40-species white list, both taken from Fish Channel. Bag Limits Yellow Tangs: no more than five larger than 4.5 inches or five smaller than 2 inches Gldring Surgeonfish (Kole Tang): no more than five per person per day larger than 4 inches Achilles Tang: limit of 10 per person per day The West Hawaii White List The following list represents the fish species that may still be taken for the aquarium trade in Hawaii. Fish not on the list are protected. Yellow tang Chevron tang Goldring surgeonfish Achilles tang Tinker’s butterflyfish Orangespine Unicornfish Forecepfish Goldrim surgeonfish Potter’s angelfish Fourspot butterflyfish Yellowtail Coris Ornate Wrasse Orangeband surgeonfish Bird wrasse Eyestripe Surgeonfish Multiband butterflyfish Saddle wrasse Brown surgeonfish Flame wrasse Thompson’s surgeonfish Peacock grouper Bluestripe snapper Redbarred hawkfish Psychedelic wrasse Hawaiian Whitespotted toby Fisher’s angelfish Hawaii Dascyllus Milletseed butterflyfish Blacklip butterflyfish Pyramid butterflyfish Shortnose wrasse Black durgon Spotted boxfish Blackside hawkfish Hawaii longfin anthias Eightline wrasse Fourline wrasse Smalltail wrasse Lei triggerfish Gilded triggerfish

BRS Fast Fit Frag Table is Ideal of Frag Swaps and Shows, Just Add the Lights

by | Jun 19, 2013 | Equipment, Events, Industry

At one point or another in virtually every reef keeper’s tenure in the hobby, the idea of a frag tank has come to mind. With local hobbyists buying up frags regularly, the idea of making a few dollars on your aquarium seems so promising, especially given how expensive everything tends to be. While frag systems are often too expensive for people to put together, the guys at Bulk Reef Supply have one fairly affordable and virtually plug and play setup that should make at home coral aquaculture far easier. Their Fast Fit Fragtable is a sump-less frag system that comes with just about everything you need to get started, sans the lights, pumps, and water of course. The Fast Fit Fragtable is a really handy system for hobbyists looking for something they can setup or take down quickly, as well as relocate for local events or just to remodel. The entire setup sits on caster wheels, obviously aiding in the system’s mobility, and an overhead bar is great for moutning the light fixture of your choice. Black eggcrate, which tends to be more resilient to algae growth than white eggcrate, keeps the frags up off the bottom of the frag tank. The retail pricre for the Fast Fit Fragtable is $499, and it apparently qualifies for free shipping, though we may be incorrect in that assumption. Kit details: 2 Ft. x 4 Ft. Inside Dimension White Botanicare Tray 2 Ft. x 4 Ft. Fast Fit White Tray Stand 4 Ft. Fast Fit White Uprights 4 Ft. Fast Fit White Light Hanging Bar 4 – Fast Fit Caster Wheels 2 – 2 Ft. x 2 Ft. Black Egg Crate

SCUBA Certification – More classwork, and finals

by | Nov 4, 2012 | Events

With a heavy schedule carrying multiple responsibilities, it has literally taken me years to get SCUBA certification, or should I say the necessary training to become qualified to dive. When I designed the logo for my company, a diver was included in the artwork as a constant reminder of what I wanted to do. It was a personal goal. No matter how I tried to map out my schedule, I never seemed to have the time to take my classes. About a year ago, due to a friend's reminder, I purchased a Groupon for classes, and even with the four month period before expiration, I couldn't mesh my schedule accordingly. Customer orders needed filling, traveling for speaking engagements or MACNA promotion, as well as club business / events, my reef tank's issues... my days were full. Allocating time for