Authorities to close bottomfish season off Hawaii
The state will prohibit fishing for opakapaka, onaga and other bottomfish in state waters starting March 12 because the fishery is on course to soon catch the maximum amount allowable this season.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources said Thursday the closure would remain in effect through the end of August. The closure coincides with a federal bottomfishing ban in the main Hawaiian islands.
Federal regulators say no more than 254,050 pounds of seven bottomfish species may be caught in both federal and state waters off Hawaii this season.
Other protected bottomfish are ehu (red snapper), hapuupuu (sea bass), lehi (silver jaw jobfish), gindai (snapper) and kalekale (snapper).
Authorities limit the catch to prevent unsustainable fishing.
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