Division of Aquatic Resources

The Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) will be closing the 2024-2025 statewide commercial uhu (parrotfish) fishery one month early as reported commercial sales near the established annual limit of 30,000 lbs. Beginning on May 1, permitted commercial uhu fishers will no longer be able to catch or possess more than the statewide non-commercial bag limit of two uhu per day. Also beginning May 1, registered commercial uhu dealer may no longer buy uhu from commercial fishers. To prevent waste, registered commercial uhu dealers may continue to sell uhu legally bought during the open season if they remain in their inventory following closure. However, all registered commercial uhu dealers must report their inventory to DAR no later than May 1. The commercial uhu fishery will re-open to fishing on June 1.

The 30,000 pound annual limit on commercial uhu sales along with commercial permitting requirements, fees, and species restrictions are a part the statewide herbivore rule package passed in early 2024. These rules were intended to offer further protections to highly-targeted and ecologically valuable herbivorous fish species while also accommodating established fishing practices. The 30,000 pound annual limit, though seemingly high, represents a meaningful cap on a fishery which at its peak saw reported sales reach as high as a 85,000 pounds in a single year.