Poll shows two-thirds of Hawaiians oppose commercial reef harvests

We’ve seen the argument for banning the commercial collection of reef fish for the aquarium trade hit a stride in the last few years. While legislative recourse to ban collection has simmered down for the moment, many organizations are still…

MASNA Launches Hawaii Ban Fact Check

For all of you who wondered who was fighting for the “aquarist” in all the ongoing turmoil over the proposals to ban aquarium collection in Hawaii, the playing field just became a little more level.  MASNA (Marine Aquarium Societies of…

Experienced aquarists consider safeguarding broodstock of endemic Hawaiian fish

We’re pretty sure that the proponents of the Hawaiian-based anti-aquarium-trade movements will try to cherry pick an article like this for out-of-context statements that they can try to use to use against the aquarium industry. If you found your way…

Kauai is second island to pass resolution to ban aquarium collection in Hawaii

The battle to outright ban the collection of aquarium fish has rapidly been reaching a fever pitch, with almost daily revelations and news being added to the controversy. Ret Talbot recently spent time in Hawaii, writing for both CORAL Magazine…

Hawaiian Ornamental Fishing Ban Passed Hawaii County Council 6-2

“Fish-collecting ban reso passes council – Supporters drown out opponents in testimony” was the news out of West Hawaii Today last week.  If you thought the most recent proposal to ban marine aquarium fish collection in Hawaii was just going…

Hawaii gets another proposal to ban marine aquarium fish collection

Talk of banning the collection of marine aquarium livestock in Hawaii is back again just eight months since Hawaii’s House Bill 580 was reported here on Reef Builders and only six months since we reported on HB580’s failure. Yet it seems…

Hawaii HB580 aquarium ban is thrown out, adds marine conservatories instead

The Hawaii HB580 Legislation that we shared earlier this year has been amended. The original bill that was introduced in January 2011 was to prohibit the collecting and selling of aquatic life for aquariums in Hawaii. Thankfully, due to lack…

New bill threatens to ban commercial reef fish harvest in Hawaii – updated

On the heels of Ret Talbot’s January 2011 CORAL Magazine article on the Hawaiian Marine Aquarium Fish Trade comes a bill in the Hawaii State Legislature to amend Chapter 188 of the Hawaii State Statute.  Specifically, revisions to marine life…