ETHICAL FISHING GUIDELINES

• Keep native fish populations healthy by preventing the release of live bait and non-native fish into Hawaii’s waters.
  
  
• Take only what you need today. Leave tomorrow’s catch in the water. Limit your take; don't take the limit. A fish is too valuable a resource to be caught only once. Fish for the fun of it, and release fish whenever possible.
  
  
• To release a fish:
  
  
  – Don’t waste time. Set hook immediately to keep fish from swallowing bait. Land fish quickly and don’t play it to exhaustion.
  
  
  – Handle fish gently. Keep fish in water if possible. Don’t let it thrash on rocks or boat. Hold with wet glove or rag. Don’t handle by eyes or gills. Avoid removing mucus or scales.
  
  
  – Unhook carefully. Cut leader close to mouth if fish is deeply hooked. Use needle-nose pliers or hookout to back hook out the opposite way it went in. Don’t jerk a leader to break it. Use barbless hooks whenever possible (squeeze barb flat with pliers).
  
  
  – Let it go. Place fish in water gently, supporting its midsection and tail until it swims away. Revive an exhausted fish by moving it back and forth in the water to force water over its gills. Use a needle or hook point to puncture the expanded air bladder of a fish taken from deep water. Watch to make sure the fish swims away; if not, recover the fish and try again.
  
  
• Keep the water free from litter and pollution. Properly dispose of monofilament fishing line, styrofoam, plastic bags, six-pack holders, and hooks that can catch and/or kill fish and wildlife.
  
  
• Respect the rights of fishers and other resource users.
  
  
• Learn more about Hawai‘i fishing regulations by visiting http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/fish_regs/index.htm or pick up a copy of Hawaii Fishing Regulations at your local fishing supply store or Division of Aquatic Resources office.
  
  
• Improve your fishing and boating skills and pass on your knowledge to others.