HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii is considering regulations for harvesting sea cucumbers.
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii is considering regulations for harvesting sea cucumbers.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports (https://bit.ly/1ZOwyMb) a temporary emergency rule prohibiting sea cucumber harvesting was implemented over the summer after officials found thousands of the invertebrates were being taken daily.
Proposed rules would create a commercial aquarium harvest season limited to two species of sea cucumber on Oahu alone. Licensed aquarium collectors could harvest up to 20 each day of the season.
The season would be capped at a combined total harvest of 3,600 sea cucumbers.
People can comment on the proposed restrictions in writing or during a series of public hearings scheduled for November by Hawaii’s Division of Aquatic Resources.
Sea cucumbers are known to remove sediment and other material that can affect the overall health of Hawaii’s coral reefs.