Interesting developments on the aquarium fish trade.

Hawaii is a popular spot for collecting reef fish, in part because except for Maui, there aren’t any meaningful limits to how many fish can be collected. Now, it looks like DLNR is stepping in to propose rules for Oahu.

Our landblog reports:

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources is holding a public meeting on December 5 to take testimony on new rules that would restrict the collection of fish for the aquarium trade. The rules only apply to Oahu.

From DLNR:

These proposed new rules would establish 1) a net length limit, 2) commercial bag limits for six species, 3) size limits on four species, and 4) no take of three species.Download draft Oahu rule, pdf file.

The public hearing will be held at 6:00 pm Wed, Dec 5, 2012 in the Waimalu Elementary School cafeteria, 98-825 Moanalua Rd, Pearl City.

More information and a copy of the draft rules can be found here.

Read our related coverage: 

– Lawsuit: DLNR Must Study Effects of Aquarium Fish Trade on Hawaii Reefs

– Poll: Two-Thirds Support Ending Hawaii Reef Fish Collection

– Saving Nemo: Protections Sought for Clownfish, Hawaiian Damselfish

Puffer fish image from Wikimedia commons.