Click above to learn and see more about how fish are collected, how fisheries are promoting conservation, and what marine scientists have to say about fish collection.
Aquarium fish are global ambassadors of Hawai’i’s majestic character. They open a window into Hawai’i – a place most will never have the opportunity to visit. Whether they are in a major aquarium or a home tank, these tropical fish help grow an appreciation for marine life, their habitat, and for conservation efforts.
“A picture of a fish is worth 1,000 words, but in many ways a live fish in an aquarium is worth 1,000 pictures….It really does compel people to care not just about that fish in the aquarium but the habitat that it came from,”
says Randall Kosaki, Ph.D., a scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
If you’ve been mesmerized by tropical fish before, you may have wondered how those fish got to the tank and if that collection harmed the habitats in which the fish once lived.
Fish collection is sustainable and the government regulates collection. Populations of popular aquarium fish, such as the Yellow Tang, have increased steadily. Hawai'i regulations ensure that much of the inshore areas are protected habitats for fish.