NOAA Fisheries and the State of Hawaii will be closing the waters of the Main Hawaiian Islands to fishing for seven snapper and grouper species (onaga, ehu, gindai, opakapaka, kalekale, lehi, and hapuupuu) as a result of overfishing of bottomfish in the Main Hawaiian Islands. This closure will be in effect from May 1 - September 30, 2007. Both commercial and non-commercial fishing for these species will be prohibited.
In addition, new regulations will be developed over the next year, including catch limits, seasonal closures, and new permitting and reporting requirements.
