OATA has joined with fellow pet industry organisations across the globe to add its support to the Hawaii marine fish industry which continues to face legislative challenges to its ability to collect wild fish.
Four organisations – OATA, Ornamental Fish Internation, the European Pet Organization and the US’s Pet Advocacy Network – have signed a joint statement calling on Hawaii’s Legislature to reject further attempts to restrict trade.
The statement adds: “The Hawaiian fishery has been recognised as sustainable by independent scientific experts, such as those representing the IUCN, as well as in discussions at the CITES technical workshop on marine ornamental fishes. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) governing collection in West Hawaii was accepted by the Hawaii Supreme Court in a 4-1 ruling in August 2024, following years of revision, public consultation, and legal scrutiny. A permanent legislative ban that bypasses this lawful process would not be evidence-based or conservation driven; rather, it would be entirely ideological.”
Read the joint statement in full and add your support to the campaign below.
Joint Industry Statement on the Re-opening of the Hawaii Marine Ornamental Fishery
March 2026
We, the organisations signed to this position, represent the full breadth of the marine ornamental fish supply chain—ranging from fishers to wholesalers, importers, exporters, and retailers—as well as millions of fish keepers worldwide. Collectively, we actively support conservation and sustainability by supporting research, developing certification and industry standards, advancing captive breeding techniques, and engaging proactively with policymaking to drive the long-term sustainability of the marine aquarium trade.
We have long recognised the value of wild collection alongside aquaculture as a means of sourcing fish for the aquatic Pet trade. It is well-established that both methods can coexist sustainably, providing livestock for the aquarium trade while also supporting the livelihoods of some of the most vulnerable communities around the world, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Hawaii fishery has undergone significant scientific scrutiny, including robust environmental impact assessments, and represents a strong example of sustainable management of marine resources. By utilising a wide range of management tools and conservative quotas, it demonstrates how a well-regulated fishery can operate sustainably. This approach has the potential to provide sustainable livelihoods for local Hawaiian communities while also promoting healthy reefs through the use of low-impact capture techniques and disincentivizing activities that may be more environmentally damaging.
The Hawaiian fishery has been recognised as sustainable by independent scientific experts, such as those representing the IUCN, as well as in discussions at the CITES technical workshop on marine ornamental fishes. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) governing collection in West Hawaii was accepted by the Hawaii Supreme Court in a 4-1 ruling in August 2024, following years of revision, public consultation, and legal scrutiny. A permanent legislative ban that bypasses this lawful process would not be evidence-based or conservation driven; rather, it would be entirely ideological.
We do not believe that aquaculture and wild collection need to be mutually exclusive for the sustainable utilisation of coral reefs. Both practices, when properly managed, can deliver for both people and wildlife. Calls to reject either sourcing method in favour of the other risk undermining future conservation efforts and the development of sustainable ornamental fisheries.
We call on Hawaii’s Legislature to reject HB 2101 and to allow the regulatory process already underway – the BLNR public rulemaking initiated in October 2025 – to proceed. This process provides the appropriate framework for issuing permitted, regulated, and scientifically monitored collection under conditions that protect both the reef ecosystems and the livelihoods that depend on them.
Finally, we call for Hawaii to uphold the principle that responsible, science-based, community-supported fisheries deserve to be recognised as sustainable and allowed to continue.
We would also urge businesses and fishkeepers across the globe to add their voice at http://supporthawaiifishers.com/
European Pet Organization
Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (UK)
Ornamental Fish International
Pet Advocacy Network (USA)
Show your support to the Hawaii marine ornamental industry
We would urge all businesses and fishkeepers across the globe to show their support to the campaign.
