CAN I COLLECT AQUATIC LIFE FOR MY PERSONAL HOME AQUARIUM?
Yes. You may recreationally collect aquatic life for your personal home aquarium. Please be sure to utilize legal gear and follow all other applicable regulations. Additionally, please be aware that any taking of aquarium fish or other aquatic life in the West Hawai‘i Regional Fishery Management Area is prohibited.
CAN I TRANSPORT THE AQUATIC LIFE I COLLECT FOR MY PERSONAL HOME AQUARIUM OUT OF STATE?
Yes, although you should check with the appropriate agency in your home state for any restrictions on the kinds of animals they will allow to be imported. Many states have alien species concerns, which may include microscopic organisms, pathogens, or parasites in the water or on the fish. You should also check with your airline to find out their requirements and recommendations for shipping live fish.
DO I NEED A LICENSE OR PERMIT TO COLLECT AQUATIC LIFE FOR MY PERSONAL HOME AQUARIUM?
No. You may collect aquatic life for your home aquarium without a license or permit, provided you use legal gear and methods. Small mesh throw nets are always prohibited. Regulations such as minimum size, season, bag limits, etc., still apply. Please be aware that any taking of aquarium fish or other aquatic life in the West Hawai‘i Regional Fishery Management Area is prohibited.
WHAT TYPE OF GEAR CAN I USE TO CATCH AQUARIUM FISH?
Nets – The most common gear to collect aquarium fish is a hand net or scoop net. Generally, the use of nets with a stretched mesh of less than 2 inches is prohibited. However, you are allowed to use a fine meshed “hand (scoop) net” to take aquatic life for non-commercial purposes, provided it does not exceed three feet in any dimension (including the handle).
Other gear – Other legal gear and methods include hand harvest, slurp gun, and hook-and-line. Please visit our gear restrictions page for more information.
CAN I COLLECT AQUATIC LIFE FOR AQUARIUMS TO SELL COMMERCIALLY?
No. Please bookmark the following link for news on the Supreme Court Ruling Regarding Commercial Fishing.