State officials issued a reminder this week that coastal fishing will be prohibited in the Waikiki-Diamond Head Shoreline Fisheries Management Area in 2015.

The prohibited area is from the high-water mark seaward for 500 yards and between the north section of the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial and the Diamond Head Lighthouse.

State Land Board Chairman William Aila said the closure helps to replenish the fish population.

Anglers say the closure, which occurs after a year of fishing, does make a difference.

"It improves it slightly," said Ken Ogawa, a salesman with Charley’s Fishing Supply Inc. in Kakaako.

Anglers said shoreline fishing in the Waikiki-Diamond Head area has been good this year, particularly for papio, uhu and moi. Divers also regularly spear octopus.

But observers said most people went fishing in the early morning hours when there were no visitors on the Waikiki-Diamond Head beaches, and that restricted parking limited fishing at night.

Fishing is also not allowed at any time in the adjoining Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District between the north edge of the natatorium and the north edge of the Kapahulu groin or sea wall.

State officials said violators may be guilty of a petty misdemeanor and subject to an administrative fine.

Copies of fishing rules are available at the Division of Aquatic Resources, 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 330; or for review at the DLNR website: dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar.