Understanding Hawaiʻi’s Aquarium Pet Industry Discussions

As someone who lives and works here on Hawaiʻi Island, I’m always interested in how local policies and environmental topics shape life in our communities. Recently, the Hawaiʻi Board of Land and Natural Resources voted to advance a proposal that could reopen certain state waters to the aquarium pet industry, which has been closed since 2017.

If approved, the new regulations would allow limited collection of native reef fish, such as the yellow tang, under tighter controls and smaller catch limits. The plan currently proposes a maximum of 100,000 yellow tangs per year, reduced from earlier numbers.

Before any final decisions are made, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold two public hearings between January and March 2026, including one in West Hawaiʻi and one virtual statewide session. These hearings are designed to gather community input and ensure local voices are part of the process.

This ongoing discussion highlights something we often see in island life,  the need to find balance. On one hand, there’s the importance of protecting our reefs and marine ecosystems; on the other, the need to support local livelihoods and industries tied to Hawaiʻi’s economy.

It will be interesting to see how this proposal evolves as public feedback comes in. Whatever the outcome, it’s another reminder of how connected we all are to the ʻāina and the ocean that surrounds us, both of which play a major role in shaping life, work, and community here in Hawaiʻi.

Source: https://bigislandnow.com/2025/10/27/state-land-board-advances-plan-to-re-open-hawai%ca%bbi-waters-to-aquarium-pet-industry/