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Despite a court ruling that effectively put a freeze on the practice, reports indicate aquarium fish poaching in Hawaii’s waters has continued.
Now a handful of marine and animal protection groups have joined forces with the state to fight back. They’ve raised $6,000 to be used as reward money for anyone whose tips lead to the successful prosecution of those illegally collecting aquarium fish.
In addition, For the Fishes, Moana ‘Ohana, The Center for Biological Diversity and the West Hawai‘i Humane Society have established a hotline, 808-NO-POACH, where the public can submit calls, texts or videos of alleged illegal activity.
The state Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement also takes tips through its statewide telephone hotline — 643-3567 — or online app, DLNRTip, which is a free download for Android and Apple devices.
The state Supreme Court last year ruled that state-issued aquarium permits were subject to environmental review under state law.
In July all permits to take aquatic life for aquariums using fine-meshed nets were declared illegal and invalid by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources until an environmental impact statement is completed by any applicant wanting to use the nets for collecting.
The DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources has not received any applications or draft environmental documents, said AJ McWhorter, DLNR communications specialist.
Nevertheless, the department is aware illegal activity is still going on — even in West Hawaii waters, where a complete ban on aquarium fish collecting is in effect, he said.
DLNR Chairwoman Suzanne Case said in a press release, “We appreciate the efforts of these organizations that are working tirelessly to support our enforcement of aquarium collection laws, and to ensure only legal and pono fishing practices are used.”
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