New rules for Hawaii’s biggest fishery area

[Coral Hind]

New law just passed, the following are the only marine fishes that may be legally collected with bag limits to be sold in the aquarium trade from the "Big Island". Species not on the "White List" may not be taken in the Kona area. Prices are about to go even higher for yellow tangs.

 

1. Yellow Tang, Zebrasoma flavescens

2. Chevron Tang, Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis

3. Goldring Surgeonfish, Ctenochaetus strigosus

4. Achilles Tang, Acanthurus achilles

5. Tinker’s Butterflyfish, Chaetodon tinkeri

6. Clown Tang, Naso lituratus

7. Forcepsfish, Forcipiger flavissimus

8. Goldrim Surgeonfish, Acanthurus nigricans

9. Potter’s Angelfish, Centropyge potteri

10. Fourspot Butterflyfish, Chaetodon quadrimaculatus

11. Yellowtail Coris, Coris gaimard

12. Ornate Wrasse, Halichoeres ornatissimus

13. Orangeband Surgeonfish, Acanthurus olivaceus

14. Bird Wrasse, Gomphosus varius

15. Eyestripe Surgeonfish, Acanthurus dussumieri

16. Multiband Butterflyfish, Chaetodon multicinctus

17. Saddle Wrasse, Thalassoma duperrey

18. Brown Surgeonfish, Acanthurus nigrofuscus

19. Flame Wrasse, Cirrhilabrus jordani

20. Thompson’s Surgeonfish, Acanthurus thompsoni

21. Peacock Grouper, Cephalopholis argus

22. Bluestripe Snapper, Lutjanus kasmira

23. Redbarred Hawkfish, Cirrhitops fasciatus

24. Psychedelic Wrasse, Anampses chrysocephalus

25. Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby, Canthigaster jactator

26. Fisher’s Angelfish, Centropyge fisheri

27. Hawaiian Dascyllus, Dascyllus albisella

28. Milletseed Butterflyfish, Chaetodon miliaris

29. Blacklip Butterflyfish, Chaetodon kleinii

30. Pyramid Butterflyfish, Hemitaurichthys polylepis

31. Shortnose Wrasse, Macropharyngodon geoffroyi

32. Black Durgon, Melichthys niger

33. Spotted Boxfish, Ostracion meleagris

34. Blackside Hawkfish, Paracirrhites forsteri

35. Hawaiian Longfin Anthias, Pseudanthias hawaiiensis

36. Eightstripe Wrasse, Pseudocheilinus octotaenia

37. Fourstripe Wrasse, Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia

38. Smalltail Wrasse, Pseudojuloides cerasinus

39. Lei Triggerfish, Sufflamen bursa

40. Gilded Triggerfish, Xanthichthys auromarginatus

 

 

Full article found here: http://www.reef2rainforest.com/2013/12/18/new-rules-for-hawaiis-biggest-aq-fishery/

 

The "White List" article found here: http://www.reef2rainforest.com/2013/12/16/west-hawaii-fisheries-white-list-of-legal-aquarium-fishes/

[paul b]

I am surprised Moorish Idols are not on the list.  I just dove in Hawaii and Moorish Idols are by far the commonest fish there

 

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Edited December 19, 2013 by paul b

[Coral Hind]

I agree, I was also surprised that the Convict Tang was not on the list since they too seem to pretty common.

[lutz123]

Since I'm not familiar with many species and where they are from, are there any notable types whose removal will no longer be allowed?

[paul b]

I am not sure but there is very little fish life of any type in Hawaii.  I was amazed after diving there recently compared to the first time I dove there in 1974

[sen5241b]

I wonder if this is an apportunity for breeders to make more money?

[Der ABT]

man there goes my flame wrasse trio wish list....

[zygote2k]

I can live without any fish from Hawaii. There are other yellow fish that are just as effective.

[AlanM]

I think Coral Hind's list are the ones that are allowed, not prohibited, right?

[Mattiejay6]

man there goes my flame wrasse trio wish list....

I have a trio in QT right now :-)

[lutz123]

I wonder if this is an apportunity for breeders to make more money?

Breeders rarely make money. It's more expensive than you would expect to raise fry.

[davelin315]

This covers only Kona's west coast, and not all of it. Interesting step, but could simply be that the fish you mention are collected elsewhere. Not sure that this will affect a lot or just mean that collection sites slide around.

[sparker]

Breeders rarely make money. It's more expensive than you would expect to raise fry.

Yeah but the more expensive collected fish get the more likely breeders will attempt it. Maybe one day fish will be like reptiles, where basically everything can be aquired cb.

[matt]

So I will assume this won't make ventralis anthias even more expensive??? I was hoping I might splurge one day when I had a proper temperature setup

[Coral Hind]

This covers only Kona's west coast, and not all of it. Interesting step, but could simply be that the fish you mention are collected elsewhere. Not sure that this will affect a lot or just mean that collection sites slide around.

That is correct, it is only at Kona, which is a large collection area, but I am certain the rules will spread to other parts of the state in time. Any limit in one area just shifts the collection pressure to another area which will eventually need to be regulated. There are already public hearings to adopt the ban on other islands.

 

I think Coral Hind's list are the ones that are allowed, not prohibited, right?

Yes, those are the only ones in this protected area allowed to be taken for the aquarium trade right now.

 

The DLNR's report can be found here: http://state.hi.us/dlnr/dar/pdf/WHI_Aquarium_Background.pdf

[sen5241b]

Breeders rarely make money. It's more expensive than you would expect to raise fry.

 

 

There was an article in ORA magazine about ORA's facility. They pump water from a salt water well (and it needs filtration). They are located in warm Florida which must save a lot on heating costs. Their quarantine systems is in a completely separate building then their production system. Steinhart Aquarium 212K gallon reef system in San Francisco, pumps water from the ocean and filters it Energy, to run lights and heat, water purification and salt mixes can add up a lot. I wouldn't even try to get into that business unless I can somehow use cheap salt water and cheap energy.

 

Even so I think some breeders will make money off this.

Edited December 20, 2013 by sen5241b