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Lau'ipala (yellow tang fish) swim in a coral reef off the island of Lānaʻi, Hawaii. Reefs are essential to biodiversity, with 25% of all marine species found in, on, or near them. Healthy reefs also facilitate subsistence and commercial fishing, and they protect people from storm surges and floods, absorbing up to 97% of a shorebound wave’s energy. Around a billion people benefit from reefs. (M Swiet Productions / Getty Images)
Press Release: Victory August 28, 2026

Hawai‘i Land Board Rejects Move To Reopen Commercial Aquarium Fish Collection

Decision marks a turning point in the long-running effort to protect Hawai‘i’s native reef fish from commercial capture and sale
In the News: KHON August 28, 2026

Land Board considers new rules for Aquarium fish collection

Mahesh Cleveland, Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office “About half of them die within the first year of captivity, and in the wild they can live up to 40 years. So it’s really about keeping Hawaii’s fish on Hawaii’s reef for Hawaii’s people.”
In the News: KITV August 28, 2026

BLNR rejects proposal to resume commercial aquarium fish collection in West Hawaii

Mahesh Cleveland, Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “This decision recognizes the will of Hawaiʻi’s people. Again and again, communities have turned out at public meetings to oppose this trade.”
document April 6, 2026

First Circuit: Hawaii Aquarium Collection Ban Authority

The Court reverse the Order Denying Petition for Declaratory Ruling, stating Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources has authority to ban commercial aquarium collection statewide.
Press Release October 27, 2025

Land Board Advances Plan to Re-Open Hawaiʻi Waters to Aquarium Pet Industry

Rulemaking decision follows the agency’s prior vote to ban reef fish collection and intense public opposition to the capture and sale of native reef wildlife
document October 16, 2025

Appeal Hawai‘i Board of Land and Natural Resources Aquarium Collection

Appeal of September 26, 2025 State of Hawai‘i Board of Land and Natural Resources’ Order Denying Petition For Declaratory Ruling. Appellants take issue with and specifically appeal the Board’s conclusions…
document October 10, 2024

Aquarium Fish Trade Petition: Hawaii Dept. of Land and Nat. Resources

Petition challenging the Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources for a declaratory ruling, in connection with its approval of a petition for rulemaking to prohibit commercial aquarium collection in…
An aquarium collector takes fish from a reef in Hawai`i. (Brooke Everett)
From the Experts October 10, 2024

The Latest on Commercial Aquarium Collection in Hawai‘i

We’ve been working with reef advocates and Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners for 13 years to challenge commercial aquarium collection in court and before the state. We’ll keep at it until…
document September 3, 2024

Aquarium Fish Trade Challenge: Petition for a contested case hearing

Petition for a contested case hearing - State Board of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources; aquarium pet trade challenge.
An aquarium collector takes fish from a reef in Hawai`i. (Brooke Everett)
Press Release August 28, 2024

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Fails to Protect Coastal Reef Fish

Court opens door to fish collection permits for West Hawai‘i, subject to Land Board approval
How Earthjustice stopped Hawai‘i’s deadly aquarium pet trade. (Ceylan Sahin Eker for Earthjustice)
feature April 20, 2022

Hawai‘i’s Aquarium Pet Trade Was a Deadly Business.

How Earthjustice stopped Hawai‘i’s deadly aquarium pet trade.
Yellow tangs, called Lau’ipala by Native Hawaiians, are the most exploited Hawaiian aquarium fish. The industry has historically extracted approximately 300,000 individuals from local reefs per year and exported them. (Kaikea Nakachi)
Press Release October 9, 2021

Hawai‘i Land Board Rejects Aquarium Pet Trade Yet Again

Impact statement for O‘ahu falls short of state law requirements, Board says
document July 13, 2021

Coalition Sues Hawai‘i Land Board to Halt Reopening of Aquarium Pet Trade

Coalition Sues Hawai‘i Land Board to Halt Reopening of Aquarium Pet Trade
Yellow tangs, called Lau’ipala by Native Hawaiians, are the most exploited Hawaiian aquarium fish. The industry has historically extracted approximately 300,000 individuals from local reefs per year and exported them. (Kaikea Nakachi)
Press Release July 13, 2021

Coalition Sues Hawai‘i Land Board to Halt Reopening of Aquarium Pet Trade

The Hawai‘i Land Board's failure to reject impact statement violated state law
Yellow tangs, called Lau’ipala in Hawaiian, are the most exploited Hawaiian aquarium fish. The industry historically extracts and exports around 300,000 individuals per year. (Kaikea Nakachi)
Press Release June 25, 2021

Hawai‘i Land Board Deadlocked on Aquarium Pet Trade

New impact statement to be accepted on legal technicality
An aquarium collector takes fish from a reef in Hawai`i. (Brooke Everett)
case January 12, 2021

Protecting Hawai’i’s Reef from the Aquarium Trade

Press Release: Victory January 12, 2021

Hawai‘i Court Confirms Illegal Aquarium Collection Must Stop

Latest attempt by state to sidestep the court and allow continued collection shut down
An aquarium collector takes fish from a reef in Hawai`i. (Photo courtesy of Brooke Landt)
Article: Victory December 22, 2020

Hawaiʻi Scores Another Big Win in Stopping Harmful Aquarium Fishing, Protecting Reefs and Native Hawaiians

Court closes loophole that allowed industry to illegally extract over half a million marine animals from Hawai‘i reefs in the last two years.