Final hearings before the Honolulu City Council addressed whether native reef fish like yellow tang should remain in Hawaiian waters rather than be captured for collection or sale.
What's happening?
Two measures before the Honolulu City Council — Resolutions 26-159 and 26-160 — are set for final hearings on August 12 and would seek tighter protections against the commercial collection of native reef fish.
In a social media post, wildlife advocate Tyler Dos Santos-Tam urged people to weigh in before the hearing.
"Hawai'i's reef fish belong in our reefs, not commercially collected and sold around the world," wrote Dos Santos-Tam, who described yellow tang as a species that helps to manage algae on coral reefs.
Resolutions 26-159 and 26-160, if passed, would support tougher restrictions on taking reef fish for the aquarium trade.
Why does it matter?
Beyond being a familiar part of Hawai'i's marine life, reef fish also influence how reefs function. Species like yellow tang, for example, feed on algae and limit overgrowth, giving coral better conditions to survive and thrive.
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Healthier reefs can support biodiversity, fisheries, recreation, and coastal protections, with direct consequences for island communities.
Comments on the post showed disagreement over the issue.
One commenter said that "the biggest problem is that there isn't enough enforcement for the laws currently on the books."
Another commenter argued that stronger penalties are needed, writing, "YES! The current fine is less than what 'collectors' (thieves) will sell the fish for on [the] market!"
What can I do?
People can submit testimony for the August 12 hearing through the City Council's testimony portal, which Dos Santos-Tam linked in his post.
The measures call on both the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources and state lawmakers.
"Please help us get these measures across the finish line," Dos Santos-Tam wrote.
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