What do they actually permit is the better question, and I glanced at the regulations and was surprised that they allow hand netting, slurp guns etc for aquarium collection. The fine print:
Look at the size limits, look at the net restrictions, look at where you will be on vacation and see if you will be going to a place where you can fish and you should be good once you have obtained the permits. I'm not sure where you have to go to purchase a permit or if that can be done online?
Then you have to catch the fish, with the right-sized gear, get it onto the shore, and keep it alive for the rest of the trip. You'll have to go through airport security and if you get the wrong screener you may have significant issues getting live stuff on the plane. (Ask me how I know).
Then, when you get home if your fish is still alive you will see the same fish at the LFS for $50.00 less than you paid for the permit.
No recovery of your vacation time.
Unless you are totally up for a collection vacation
as the focus of your travel then I would spend the money on postcards and let someone else hassle with collection and transport to your home town.
Otherwise, If you just collect live rock that is not going to die on the way home and I'd recommend that kind of souvenir. That said, I don't think you can collect live rocks legally, but maybe that law has changed also? The idea is that deadweight is a lot easier to carry than a live fish taken off a reef and placed into a tiny container. What's she going to think when the fish dies on the way home?
I'm not trying to discourage you as much as inform you. I fish a lot and catch little but I like to fish. I would not go fishing on a vacation to Hawaii when I could be snorkeling or diving over the same limited time. HTh!
Have FUN on vacation! Umbrella drinks, swim, lay around, check out the stars at night, relaxing is an art America is forgetting.
