TO SIGN THE LETTER: https://supporthawaiifishers.com/#sign-the-letter
The Hawaii Fishery has one more obstacle to overcome before permits are issued. We are in the home stretch. Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources has proposed regulations that must be approved by Land Board and then permits to fish will be issued. We need as many people as possible sending in written testimony on behalf of the fishery. The fishers have created a website to make submitting testimony super easy, it takes less than 2 minutes to submit. USAQUA and Pet Action Network (PAN) are disseminating the alert on behalf of the fishers in Hawaii. Here’s the USAQUA alert:
After a long, drawn-out process, the fishers in West Hawaii have completed the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that was required by the Hawaii Supreme Court ruling. The EIS has been approved by the Land Board and the Courts. Now, the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) has proposed a rules package including quotas, size limits, and other regulations to manage the sustainable fishery for aquarium fish in West Hawaii. This is the final hurdle that must be overcome, and once passed, permits will be issued and fishing can resume. You can help to bring sustainably fished Yellow Tangs and Potters Angelfish back to the hobby by submitting your testimony to the Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR). It is super easy and takes less than 2 minutes to let your voice be heard! The deadline for testimony to be accepted is fast approaching, so please submit yours today.
To read through the Public Hearing Notice follow this link: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/announcements/public-hearing-notice-for-proposed-adoption-of-har-13-77-1-aquarium-fishery-management-and-other-amendments/
To watch the public hearing online, you can view a live stream here: https://www.youtube.com/@dlnr-dar
If you wish to provide testimony, there are three ways to participate: At the in-person public hearing, at the virtual online public hearing via internet video conference or telephone, or by submitting written testimony.
PUBLIC HEARING DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION(S)
Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Online via Zoom (register at: https://tinyurl.com/AQPublicHearing)
Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Kealakehe High School Cafeteria (IN PERSON ONLY)
74-5000 Puohulihuli Street
Kailua-Kona, Hawai?i 96740
The deadline to submit written testimony is Sunday, April 12, 2026. Written testimony may be e-mailed to [email protected] or mailed to the address:
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Division of Aquatic Resources
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330
Honolulu, Hawai?i, 96813
If you support the hard work that USAQUA is doing for our hobby & industry please consider becoming a member with one of the many tiers they offer. https://usaqua.org/become-a-member/
