collecting in hawaii
 

done anyone know where i can find laws about collecting coral or other inverts in hawaii. I am going in july and i would really like to be able to bring something back for my tank if its legal. also i would like to know about bringing back shells and rocks off the beach (not live rock but the stuff that washes up). any help would be greatly appreciated.

I know collecting fish for aquariums is illegal without a liscense $50), and I think taking the coral that washes up on the beach is as well, but I've never seen anyone from DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) around very much.;)

do you have any links to any offical sites that talk about that?

try this [url]http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/fish_regs/index.htm[/url]

it seems that sand and coral rubble is ok to take

The taking of sand, coral rubble or other marine deposits is permitted in certain circumstances. The material may not exceed one gallon per person per day, and may be taken only for personal, noncommercial purposes. HRS §171-58.5, §205A-44. Im still waitin on a responce form DLNR about whether or not soft corals can be harvested. Hard corals are out of the question, but what i read was very unclear about soft corals. Im hoping they respond quickly because im really anxious to know. Ill let everyone know what i find out. Thanks for the link. I really appreciate the help.

the beach is Ulua/Mokapu. Is anyone familar with the area?

I am being stationed to Hawaii in July, I also have e-mailed the DLNR, never received a response. I did however get a reply from Charles Delbeek from the Waikiki Aquarium. He did not go into specifics, but he indicated that all coral and "Live Rock"collection is prohibited.

Ed

still waiting on a responce. I might call tomorrow.

I've got a friend that volunteers at the waikiki aquarium. she doesn't know much about equipment, but says the water for the aquarium is pumped in from the ocean, filtered, pumped into aquariums, pumped out, filtered again, then returned to the ocean. the aquariums basically complete water changes every 45 minutes.

[QUOTE][i]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7244527#post7244527 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by piranhaking [/i]
[B]still waiting on a responce. I might call tomorrow. [/B][/QUOTE]

Please let us know what they say.

Ed

so far still no response

I am a wholesaler/collector in Hawaii and I have some bad news. taking any live rock (any rock with something alive on it, including seaweed) is illegal.

we don't have very nice coral here but that is illegal also.

You can't even have coral in a home aquarium. The only places that can have it is if you are a university, or if you are the Waikiki aquarium.

i got a reply finally, but no answer yet. There are some details we have to discuss first. Ill let you all know the final outcome.

where are you going to be in Hawaii?

[QUOTE][i]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7306601#post7306601 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pactrop [/i]
[B]where are you going to be in Hawaii? [/B][/QUOTE]

I am going to be on Oahu. I have hear so many conflicting stories. Some say you can collect as DLNR personnel are far and few between and you would never get caught. Others say "everyone does it". But in the end it is illegal and I am guessing the punishment sever if you do get caught collecting it or if you get ought with it in your home??

Ed

Yes, it is Illegal. and Yes people collect for their home. but not too many people have live coral. they just want rocks for their tank.

If you do get caught taking coral off the islands the penalty is extremely severe. I kinda remember a couple guys got caught a few years ago and the fine was in the six figures.

I'll be at ulua beach. Still no reply so far, i hope he gets back with me soon.

actually it isnt illegal to collect fish but you arent aloud to colect coral of live rock or anything but fish. your not even aloud to have the special equipment to have coral on the islands.

belive me i go there all the time and a friend of mine is a marine biologist there and told me all this.

[url]http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/licenses.htm[/url] #7

[QUOTE]actually it isnt illegal to collect fish but you arent aloud to colect coral of live rock or anything but fish. your not even aloud to have the special equipment to have coral on the islands.[/QUOTE]

actually you are somewhat right. you can collect fish.

by law you are allowed to collect five fish per day.

but the question is.
[QUOTE]anyone know where i can find laws about collecting coral or other inverts in hawaii.[/QUOTE]

In the Hawaii fishing regulations, which you can get a copy by writing to
Division of Aquatic Resources
Dept. of land and natural resources
Kalanimoku BLD
1151 Punchbowl ST. room 330
Honolulu HI 96813

page 9: Coral and LIVE ROCK

stony coral : Unlawful to take, break, or damage, with any implement, any stony coral from waters of the state, including any reef or mushroom coral. Unlawful to sell or offer for sale any stony coral.

LIVE ROCK: Unlawful to take, break, or damage, with any implement, any rock or coral to which marine life is visibly attached.

There are no rules about owning equipment.

Yamaha racer I looked at the link you provided and found this

[QUOTE]7) Aquarium Permit - required for any person to use fine mesh net for collecting aquatic life for an aquarium. Report required if commercial. No fee. HRS §188-31.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE][i]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7326299#post7326299 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pactrop [/i]
[B]
LIVE ROCK: Unlawful to take, break, or damage, with any implement, any rock or coral to which marine life is visibly attached. [/B][/QUOTE]

Any rules for placing lace rock in the water to "seed" it. Does it then become live rock and then become illegal to take back out? Seem like that "visibly attached" phrase could be a little loop hole if you just wanted decent live rock for a fish only tank.

Ed

Great question. It is illegal to do that also. Here comes the good part. There are special permits you can get but the MAC certified rock but it isnt cheap. I can have it shipped to you for about $6 per lb landed for a 45 lb box.
But that still leaves our friend piranhaking with no chance of going diving in Hawaii and seeing a nice rock and saying to himself. "I would love to have that in my aquarium" and then actually taking it. he will still have to buy it. that just isnt the same.

Regardless of Hawaii law, federal law makes it illegal to transport stoney corals harvested in US waters over state lines. They don't play around with this. If a federal agent catches you, you better open your check book.

So I assume you can't pick up the coral that washes up on the beach either?

pactrop do you have a store in HI?