In June and July 2021, protection afforded to marine wildlife by the Hawaii Supreme Court was allowed to lapse after a tied vote.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources at that point changed the requirement for aquarium collection, removing the need for a permit, so the collectors could continue with only a commercial fishing license. Hawaii reefs are being stripped bare once again by aquarium trade collectors decimating species, the reef and ocean.
 
Aquarium poachers have always been out there and we are seeing them in Kona now. The catch in Hawaii goes to 5-7 million critters annually, or down to a few thousand, depending on enforcement and consumer demand.

Education of aquarium enthusiasts on the mainland must continue and boycotts of large wild fish distributors like Petco must continue.

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