🚨 ACTION ALERT: Tell BLNR to Ban Commercial Aquarium Collection Statewide
The BLNR is voting this Friday, August 28, on whether to move forward with rules allowing commercial aquarium collection in Hawaiʻi’s waters. We need to make our voices heard.
For more than a decade, communities across Hawaiʻi have called for an end to commercial aquarium collection. Now, the BLNR has the opportunity to uphold its unanimous December 2023 decision and move toward a statewide ban.
Please take a few moments to submit written testimony and/or sign up to testify on Zoom.
1. Submit Written Testimony
Before Thursday, 8/27 at 9 am
Tell the Board to:
REJECT DAR’s proposed rules allowing commercial aquarium collection.
Instruct DAR to amend the rules to prohibit commercial aquarium collection statewide.
Sample testimony:
I FIRMLY OPPOSE the Division of Aquatic Resources’ (DAR) proposed administrative rules. Please REJECT the proposed rules and direct DAR to AMEND them to prohibit commercial aquarium collection statewide, consistent with the Board’s unanimous December 2023 decision. Judge Kawamura has ruled that the BLNR and DAR have the legal authority to impose a statewide ban on commercial aquarium collection.
Commercial aquarium collection takes fish that provide a vital role in our reefs and marine ecosystem, which in turn feeds our families and sustains our cultural practices.
Email testimony to: blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov
2. Testify Live on Zoom: Friday 8/28 at 9am
Oral testimony is strongly encouraged. You will have 2 minutes to speak.
If you plan to testify, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov to request the Zoom testimony link and state that you want to testify on Agenda Item F.1.
Since the last time this issue came before the BLNR, all four county councils have taken action calling for a statewide ban, and in April 2026, Judge Kawamura ruled that BLNR and DAR have the legal authority to prohibit commercial aquarium collection statewide.
The message from communities across the pae ʻāina is clear: our reefs and marine life are not commodities for corporate profit.
For furthering reading, check out this Civil Beat piece authored by Council members Holland, Inaba and Kiaʻāina from across the pae ʻāina: Keep Hawaiʻis Reef Fish Where They Belong- On The Reef.
Mahalo for taking action!
