New Rules Take Effect for Maui Fishing Bag and Size Limits

Parrotfish and goatfish. Photos courtesy DLNR Powerpoint. Credit: Dr. John E. Randall.

By Wendy Osher

New fishing rules go into effect this weekend on Saturday, Nov. 1, that establish bag and size limits for uhu or parrotfish and kūmū or goatfish caught in Maui waters.

The rule includes a bag limit of no more than two large uhu (uhu ʻahuʻula and palukaluka), and prohibitions on the take of blue male uhu for the two large species–uhu ʻuliʻuli and uhu ʻeleʻele.

The size limit for uhu is a minimum of 14 inches for the large species and a minimum of 10 inches for the small species.

There are also bag limits for the popular goatfish or kūmū of no more than one; and moano kea and munu of no more than two.

The size limit for goatfish is a minimum of 12 inches for the large species ( kumu, moano kea, and weke nono) and a minimum of 8 inches for the small species, provided that the take of ʻoama (juvenile wekeʻa less than 5 inches in length) is allowed by hook-and-line only.

The rules are supported by the Division of Aquatic Resources and come after more than 5 years of research on the biology and ecology of the fish and population data that indicate management is required now.  

The rule changes were adopted by the Board of Land and Natural Resources on Sept. 26, and the measure was subsequently signed into law by Governor Neil Abercrombie.

Kūmū (top left), moano kea (top right), munu (bottom left), wekeʻa (bottom right). Photos courtesy DLNR Powerpoint. Credit: Dr. John E. Randall.

Prohibitions are proposed on the take of blue male uhu for the two large species–uhu ʻuliʻuli (top) and uhu ʻeleʻele (bottom). Photos courtesy DLNR Powerpoint. Credit: Dr. John E. Randall.