Fishing for striped mullet will close Tuesday, Dec. 1 for four months to allow the fish to spawn.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources said Monday the fishing season for amaama, or striped mullet, will resume March 31.

“Amaama are about to enter their peak spawning season, which increases their vulnerability to fishing pressure,” said Bruce Anderson, DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources administrator. “The annual winter closure is designed to help the fish reproduce successfully and protect the species from overfishing.”

There are two kinds of penalties, criminal and civil, for seasonal violations. The criminal penalties are a petty misdemeanor punishable by fines of up to $500 per violation and/or 30 days in jail.

First-offense civil penalties are up to $1,000 per specimen and $1,000 per violation. Copies of statewide fishing regulations for amaama and all other marine species are available at the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources office, 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 330, and at all neighbor island division offices.

Fishing regulations can also be found on the division’s website at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar. To report violations of fish catch size or net use, call 643-3567.