New rules for collecting aquarium fish collecting took effect this month for Oahu waters.

The rules include new limits on nets used to collect marine life, daily commercial bag limits, commercial size limits, and a prohibition on the taking of some fish species.  

Mesh net more than 30 feet long or six feet high, or joining two nets together for a combined length of more than 60 feet are banned.  The limits are intended to reduce the use of long nets that could increase injury to the fish collected. 

Taking or possession of ornate butterflyfish, oval butterflyfish, or reticulated butterflyfish is prohibited, because they feed strictly on coral and are difficult to maintain in captivity. 

New daily commercial bag and size limits apply to yellow tang, kole, naso tang, Achilles tang, Moorish idol, Potter’s angel, bandit (banded) angelfish, and cleaner wrasse.  

The new rules were requested by a group of commercial aquarium collectors from Oahu who saw the need for better management of the fishery, according to Division of Aquatic Resources Acting Administrator Alton Miyasaka.  

“The collectors were concerned about the potential for waste of limited resources when fish are taken and, due to rough handling or overcrowding, become injured prior to sale to dealers,” Miyasaka said.  “Their goal is to provide pristine fish to the world-wide market.” 

The law covers waters within 3.4 miles of the Oahu shoreline.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources approved the rules in October and they became effective April 2.