Hawaii Aquarium Collecting Fishery - MMPA List of Fisheries

Current Classification on the List of Fisheries

^ Number of participants estimates are based on state and federal fisheries permit data. The estimated number of participants is expressed in terms of the number of active participants in the fishery, when possible. If this information is not available, the estimated number of vessels or persons licensed for a particular fishery is provided. If no recent information is available on the number of participants, then the number from the most recent LOF is used. NOAA Fisheries acknowledges that, in some cases, these estimations may be inflating actual effort.

*Observer coverage levels include the latest information reported in the most current final Stock Assessment Report (SAR).

¹ Indicates the stock or species is driving the classification of the fishery.

Basis for Current Classification

There are no known incidental mortalities or serious injuries of marine mammals in this fishery, and there is a remote likelihood of marine mammal interactions because the fishing method is highly selective (collection by hand or with small, attended nets).

Distribution

Primarily conducted in state waters.

Gear Description

Aquarium fish collection is generally carried out by divers equipped with some form of underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA, surface supplied air, rebreather equipment). Divers use hand collection methods, sometimes in combination with the placement of short, bottom-set barrier nets. Nets are usually less than 200 ft in length or 10 ft in height, operate in depths less than 100 ft, and are actively tended. The mesh is small, less than 1 inch, to prevent gilling the smaller aquarium fish.

Management

Managed by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources/Division of Aquatic Resources. An annual permit to collect reef fish is required. Regional bag, slot, and species-specific bans on live harvest may apply in certain designated areas.

Historical Information

Timeline of Changes