Hawaii ban is official.

[Zionas]

Despite everything being in the works, never thought this day would come. Until we get enough Captive Bred specimens, goodbye Yellow Tangs, Kole Tangs, Convict Tangs, Lavender Tangs, Achilles, and many others.

I wonder what would be the future of Tangs for Zebrasoma and other fish.

What would be good alternatives for most people in the now indefinite absence of the Yellow Tang?

 

[Greg Hiller]

Sailfin or purple tangs should work. There are many species of fish that eat algae. I actually don't find tangs that useful myself. Snails, urchins and hermits do most of my work.

 

[Zionas]

It’s down to Purple and Scopas for me. Black Tangs not worth the price. Gem Tangs would give me a heart attack for the price, and my tank will be too small for the Sailfins.

 

[ReeferWarrant]

I think captive breeding programs are the reason Hawaii is going that route. Yellow tangs are a possibility through Biota and other captive breeders. You can thank the people on the Hawaiian islands that actively break the laws and illegally fish for the current ban and views on the aquarium trade there.

Hawaii County man arrested for illegal catch of aquarium fish

Officers spotted a vessel in the West Hawaii Regional Fisheries Management Area off South point and discovered 333 Yellow Tang and three Pakuikui (Achilles tang).

www.hawaiinewsnow.com

Kona men cited for illegal aquarium fish, gear - Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Kona men cited for illegal aquarium fish, gear - Hawaii News | Hawaii Tribune-Herald

www.hawaiitribune-herald.com

 

[Zionas]

Yes I was very sad when I saw that news.

However it will take a while for Captive Bred specimens to enter the market in enough numbers and affordable.

I guess for now it’s adios.....

 

[ReeferWarrant]

Agreed, I guess if you want it enough youll pay the costs... I chose the wrong time to get into this hobby haha

 

[Zionas]

Yeah haha. But looks like I’ll be going for a Purple or Scopas, Purple was my first choice anyway ahaha.

 

[KrisReef]

“I honestly didn’t think I was fishing in the closed area.”

 

[Zionas]

It will probably take a couple years until CB Yellow Tangs start becoming common enough. For now, I’ll be going with another Zebrasoma.

 

[Zionas]

Yes that’s right, but I’m getting one for the looks haha.

 

[nereefpat]

That's a bummer.

Most fish, including yellow tangs, can be sourced elsewhere. I'm sure the price will go up though.

 

[Alchameth]

I think captive breeding programs are the reason Hawaii is going that route. Yellow tangs are a possibility through Biota and other captive breeders. You can thank the people on the Hawaiian islands that actively break the laws and illegally fish for the current ban and views on the aquarium trade there.

Please, the ban only hurts the people who were doing so legally. The poachers will only grow in numbers, more bold, be more reckless, and cause more damage...

I do however believe captive breeders will expand, and while they've been accelerating for years, more should have seen the writing on the wall back in 2017 when the original ban was implemented. If they'd spent the last 3 years gearing towards breeding or actually doing the environmental report that was needed the ban wouldn't have been extended. Also, the loophole that's been getting used for the past 3 years wouldn't have gotten slammed shut.

 

[Zionas]

Yeah I think I’m just going to go for a Purple or Scopas now.

 

[ReeferWarrant]

Please, the ban only hurts the people who were doing so legally. The poachers will only grow in numbers, more bold, be more reckless, and cause more damage...

I do however believe captive breeders will expand, and while they've been accelerating for years, more should have seen the writing on the wall back in 2017 when the original ban was implemented. If they'd spent the last 3 years gearing towards breeding or actually doing the environmental report that was needed the ban wouldn't have been extended. Also, the loophole that's been getting used for the past 3 years wouldn't have gotten slammed shut.

That was my point...

 

[Montiman]

Christmas Islands are still open and will offer many Hawaiian Fish. Truth be told Hawaii had one of the most well managed fisheries in the world. There was 0 reason to shut down collection other than crazy nuts. This is coming from someone who has an ecology degree.

While getting my degree professors presented me with Hawaii as an example of the most well managed and maintained fishery in the world.

The fundamental misunderstanding about coral reefs is that they are space limited. The greatest threats to reefs are ones that limit the amount of habitable space. In Hawaii this is primarily agricultural run off. Unfortunately the aquarium trade is a more appealing target than farmers.

Anyone who does not understand that limiting space is the greatest threat to reefs does not have a basic understanding of reef ecology. In a space limited ecosystem it is very easy to harvest animals because as soon as they are removed more space is available to the ecosystem and it gets filled quickly. Removing habitable space from a reef is like removing water from a desert.

 

[ReeferBean]

It will probably take a couple years until CB Yellow Tangs start becoming common enough. For now, I’ll be going with another Zebrasoma.

You can find captive bred yellow tangs from several sources. Yellow Tang, Captive-Bred, Biota: Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums (liveaquaria.com)

 

[ReeferWarrant]

Ultimately you have a bunch of people moving to the islands who are extreme in thought of preservation and animal rights.

Then you have a legitimate argument in the Native Hawaiians, who see it as stealing from the Aina. Who have literally just watched their land get taken decade after decade. I can understand their distaste in all of it.

 

[Zionas]

Yes indeed, but these nutcases don’t listen to scientific evidence.

 

[Zionas]

Unfortunately am not in the US, so they’re not an option for me.

 

[ReeferWarrant]

@Montiman Yes!!! Exactly that! Of course they dont want to go after the farmers, food is hard as it is to get on the island. You should see the protests for Monsanto and their means of growing produce.

Maybe I'll get into politics when I move back there..... haha