Here’s one for all of you who think we should protect reef fish from aquarium collectors.

Weeks after Maui County passed a bill to protect aquarium fish, Hawaii County lawmakers asked the state to increase protections. In covering that story, I got to visit one of Hawaii’s largest fish exporters. The Big Island request is an incremental development, but I thought it was worth sharing.

The Big Island, particularly the Kona coast, is home to far more reef fish and aquarium collectors than Maui. And while the Big Island council’s resolution is non-binding, it does send a message to state regulators that citizens are serious about preserving natural resources despite potential economic losses.

Resolution 308-10, passed 8-1 by the Hawaii County Council on Sept. 9, urges the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources “to adopt rules for the sustainable management of the West Hawaii Aquarium Fishery including adaptive management of fish replenishment areas, maintenance of an aquarium species’ “white list,” and the establishment of a limited entry program.”

West Hawaii Today, the local newspaper for the Kona side, reported the day after the vote that fish collectors and environmentalists were “in the same boat” on the resolution. The measure encourages the implementation of bag limits on mature yellow tang and exploration of a moratorium on new commercial aquarium fish permits.

A state senator from the Big Island previously said he is planning to introduce next year a bill banning tropical fish collection statewide.