Hawaii Lawmakers Advance Bills to Protect Reef Fish from Poaching

Proposed legislation would ban aquarium fishing and increase penalties for illegal poaching of native species.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Hawaii lawmakers have advanced two bills, House Bill 2101 and Senate Bill 2078, that aim to protect the state's reef fish populations. The proposed legislation would ban the capture of fish in Hawaii waters for the commercial aquarium trade and increase fines for illegal poaching. The bills have received substantial support from environmental groups, cultural practitioners, and local government, while facing opposition from those involved in the aquarium fishing industry.

Why it matters

Hawaii's coral reefs and native fish species have faced threats from overfishing and poaching, particularly for the aquarium trade. These bills represent an effort by the state to better protect these important ecological resources, which are vital to the health of Hawaii's marine ecosystems and support local subsistence fishing practices.

The details

House Bill 2101 would ban the capture and sale of aquatic fish from Hawaii's native reefs for the commercial pet trade, while Senate Bill 2078 would make poaching for aquariums a criminal offense punishable by jail time and fines. The legislation comes after a ban on commercial aquarium fishing was implemented in West Hawaii in 2017 and statewide in 2021, following lawsuits between the state and environmental groups. The bills have received support from groups concerned about the impact of aquarium fishing on reef ecosystems, but face opposition from those in the aquarium trade industry who argue the practice can be sustainable.

  • House Bill 2101 and Senate Bill 2078 were advanced by Hawaii lawmakers in February 2026.
  • Commercial aquarium fishing has been banned in West Hawaii since 2017 and statewide since 2021.

The players

House Bill 2101

A proposed bill that would ban the capture and sale of aquatic fish from Hawaii's native reefs for the commercial pet trade.

Senate Bill 2078

A proposed bill that would make poaching for aquariums a criminal offense punishable by jail time and fines.

Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

The state agency that has tried various regulations to address sustainability concerns with aquarium fishing, but has acknowledged the lack of a clear population baseline for aquarium fish species.

Mike Nakachi

A Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner who argues that fishing for food is a way of life and that allowing aquarium fishing violates the responsible use of a public trust resource.

Charles Young

A subsistence fisherman who says allowing aquarium fishing is "contrary to the responsible use of a public trust resource" and that the oceans and their resources should be shared by all.

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What they’re saying

“It just totally violates all the things that we were brought up in, in terms of how to manage our resources.”

— Charles Young, Subsistence Fisherman (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

“The oceans belong and all the resources were meant for all of us to share. When we talk about sharing, it's not about sharing money. It's about sharing the resource.”

— Charles Young, Subsistence Fisherman (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

“The argument that this fishery is sustainable is an interpretation. I don't share it.”

— Chad Wiggins, Executive Director, Hui Aloha Kiholo (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

What’s next

The Hawaii Legislature will continue to consider House Bill 2101 and Senate Bill 2078, with potential amendments, before deciding whether to pass the legislation.

The takeaway

These proposed bills represent an important effort by Hawaii lawmakers to protect the state's valuable reef ecosystems and native fish populations from the threats of overfishing and poaching, particularly for the commercial aquarium trade. The debate highlights the ongoing tensions between environmental conservation and economic interests, as well as the need to balance the responsible use of public trust resources.