Kalekale Regulations in Hawaii (2026)

Where

Statewide

• Unlawful to take bottomfish with any trap, trawl, bottomfish longline or net. Unlawful to possess, while on board a vessel, both bottomfish and any trap, trawl, bottomfish longline, or net other than scoop net or Kona crab net.
• See additional bottomfishing information
• Unlawful to fish for, possess, or sell bottomfish species listed above during the announced closed season, except by permit. (source: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/fishing/bottom-fishing/)
• Commercial fishers must report all “Deep 7” bottomfish catches within five days after the end of a trip. (source: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/fishing/bottom-fishing/)
• Unlawful for any person to take or possess bottomfish while on a vessel without registering the vessel with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and obtaining a bottomfish fishing vessel identification number. (source: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/fishing/bottom-fishing/)
• HAR §13-94-11(c): While a bottomfish fishing season is closed, it is unlawful for any person to fish for, possess, or sell bottomfish, or for any dealer to sell bottomfish, except as provided in section 13-94-14. (source: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/files/2014/05/ch94.pdf)
• HAR §13-94-14(a): while a bottomfish closed fishing season is in effect, a person with a valid federal bottomfish fishing permit for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands federal waters, and a valid commercial marine license, may take and possess bottomfish from the above-described area. (source: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/files/2014/05/ch94.pdf)
• Non-commercial bag limit does not apply to commercial marine licensees: "Unlawful for any person without a current commercial marine license to take or possess more than a combined total of five “Deep 7” bottomfish per day." (source: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/fishing/bottom-fishing/)
• Non-commercial rule (not applicable to commercial take): Bag limit 5 (total all Deep 7 species, applies to non-commercial fishing only)
• Individuals or vessels engaged in taking, selling or offering for sale any marine life for commercial purposes (including charter fishing services) must obtain a Commercial Marine License. (source: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/fishing/commercial-fishing/)
• Every commercial marine licensee shall furnish to the Department of Land and Natural Resources a monthly report with respect to marine life taken and any bait used. The report shall be submitted no later than the tenth day of the month following the month in which the marine life was taken. (source: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/fishing/commercial-fishing/)

Official source

Where

Federal waters (EEZ) (ocean)

Bag limit

Fishery-wide ACL (Deep 7 combined): 2025-26 ACL: 493,000 lb; 2026-27 ACL: 493,000 lb

Season

Deep 7 bottomfish fishing year means the year beginning at 0001 local time on September 1 and ending at 2400 HST on August 31 of the next calendar year.

• Fishing for Hawaii bottomfish MUS or ECS, or seamount groundfish MUS with bottom trawls and bottom set gillnets is prohibited.
• MHI Deep 7 bottomfish annual catch limit (all Deep 7 species combined), 50 CFR 665.211: 2025-26 ACL: 493,000 lb; 2026-27 ACL: 493,000 lb.
• (b) When a bottomfish ACL or ACT is projected to be reached based on analyses of available information, the Regional Administrator shall publish a document to that effect in the Federal Register and shall use other means to notify permit holders. The document will include an advisement that the fishery will be closed beginning at a specified date, which is not earlier than seven days after the date of filing the closure notice for public inspection at the Office of the Federal Register, until the end of the fishing year in which the ACL or ACT is reached.
• (c) On and after the date specified in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may fish for or possess any bottomfish MUS from a closed fishery in the MHI management subarea, except as otherwise allowed in this section.
• (d) On and after the date specified in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may sell or offer for sale any bottomfish MUS from a closed fishery, except as otherwise authorized by law.
• (2) MHI non-commercial. The owner of a vessel that is used for and any person who participates in non-commercial, vessel-based fishing, landing, or transshipment of Hawaii bottomfish MUS or ECS in the MHI management subarea is required to obtain an MHI non-commercial bottomfish permit or a State of Hawaii Commercial Marine License.
• Non-commercial only (not applicable to commercial trips): No more than a total of five fish (all species combined) identified as Deep 7 bottomfish may be harvested, possessed, or landed by any individual participating in a non-commercial vessel-based fishing trip in the MHI management subarea.

Official source