Collecting help?

Eienna · Aug 7, 2014

OK, so it looks like I MIGHT get a chance to go snorkeling in Hawai'i. Even better, I might have a chance to collect an animal or two for my aquarium. I need to know exactly what ALL the rules are for collecting (and, obviously, exporting) marine fish and inverts with an individual aquarium permit, but the DAR (offshoot of the DLNR) site is not very helpful in this regard. Does anyone here know where to get the information on closed areas, exact fish/inverts that may or may not be taken, and any other limitations? I do NOT want to end up on the wrong side of the law with this.

I would also appreciate any resources on how to acclimate an ocean specimen to aquarium life. I do know it's a long and involved process, and that it requires live food (and a ton of commitment!!) to accomplish. Just for anyone who was wondering, I probably would not be taking home any more than 3 individual fish (assuming I even managed to catch that many!) and would have appropriate food, medications. and lodging waiting for them before I ever set out. I would also be VERY selective in exactly what I caught to bring home. I don't take this lightly!! Every life is precious.

I wanted to learn before but figured it was a moot point because I'd never get to go. Well, Daddy surprised me with the possibility of a father-daughter trip with this in mind and so I may just manage it!! Very much looking forward to the possibility...so please, educate me on how to do it right!

I'm also not sure if Hawai'i is the best place to go for this. Given I don't do more than snorkel, would fiji or someplace similar be better?

Eienna · Aug 7, 2014

Seems I wasn't on the main DAR site. I found it now. I would still appreciate any info, though.

zach_discus · Aug 7, 2014

Send Todd (TJ's reef). He has done it several times and gave me some great info when we were looking at Hawaii for our honeymoon.

Eienna · Aug 7, 2014

OK, thanks!

tyler1503 · Aug 7, 2014

Eienna said:
I would also appreciate any resources on how to acclimate an ocean specimen to aquarium life. I do know it's a long and involved process, and that it requires live food (and a ton of commitment!!) to accomplish. Just for anyone who was wondering, I probably would not be taking home any more than 3 individual fish (assuming I even managed to catch that many!) and would have appropriate food, medications. and lodging waiting for them before I ever set out. I would also be VERY selective in exactly what I caught to bring home. I don't take this lightly!! Every life is precious.

The majority of fish I've owned over the years have been wild caught from the ocean. I do a 3 hour (give or take) drip acclimation, then a half hour temperature acclimation and feed mysis and my DIY food. From my experience they're far more likely to take prepared food than fish found in the LFS. I guess it's a stress thing, they go from the ocean to a bag to your tank and that's it. There's no collectors holding facility, wholesaler, retailer, and whoever else may come in contact with the fish to bother them along the way and they don't have to put up with being bagged up in a tiny puddle of water between each stage of the process. I found it much easier to get wild caught fish to feed and feel comfortable than those found in the hobby. Every wild caught fish I've had has started eating prepared foods within 3 hours of being in the tank, with only 2 exceptions.
I went snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef and if that's anything like Hawaii, you'll be able to catch plenty of fish to choose from without issues. I was standing on the submerged ledge you swim out from and had tangs and angels swimming between my legs. They would have been easy to catch! If possible, catch quite a few fish and decide afterwards what you want to keep and let the rest go. That way you actually have a selection to choose from and don't have to settle for 1 or 2 fish, plus if you pass on a good opportunity to catch one fish, you may never get that chance again.

Eienna · Aug 7, 2014

That's pretty cool!
And that's certainly encouraging news on the feeding end of things.

Is collection allowed at the GBR?

tyler1503 · Aug 7, 2014

Thats just my experience, but I've kept a decent range of the local fish and they've pretty much always been easy.
Nah only professional collectors can do anything like that unfortunately. Atleast out on the actual reef.
I have a feeling it may be legal to collect things like rock and stuff from tide pools, but definitely no livestock. There are plenty of tide pools and stuff that are walking distance from the road that look awesome to look through and collect stuff from. If I lived up that way all my fish would come from there

fishroomlady · Aug 7, 2014

My first snorkeling experience was in Hawaii and I have also snorkeled in the Caribbean. Hawaii hands down had an abundance of fish compared. You will be in awe of the experience Eienna! I'm so happy for you and a dad/daughter trip to beat. Life is good

Longnose Hawkfish · Aug 7, 2014

I emailed the Hawaiian fish and game about where fish could be caught but for some reason I can't find a picture of the restricted areas. But the restricted areas are usually state parks. I'm going to try and find a picture of the restricted areas.

This is a pretty good article on fish collecting. http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/collectingyourownfish/tp/collectingtropicalfish.htm

Longnose Hawkfish · Aug 7, 2014

http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/fishing/...ulated-areas/regulated-fishing-areas-on-oahu/

Eienna · Aug 7, 2014

Cool, thanks, guys!!
It is also a possibility that we will be going to MACNA next year instead, which would be an impressive treat as well!! Either one will have me VERY happy.