Nehu Regulations in Hawaii (2026)

Where

Statewide

• Nets over 50 feet for commercial use only;
• Bait license required for commercial use;
• Unlawful to sell or trade dried or cured nehu
• Bait License (Aku Boat) Applies to Commercial fishers Fees $100 Required for Any commercial marine licensee to use a small mesh net to take iao, Marquesan sardine, nehu, piha, tabai, and threadfin shad as live bait. Any licensee employed on a live-bait tuna boat as their principle means of livelihood to use small mesh net to take nehu as live bait. The baitfish is to be used in the commercial fishing operation and its sale is prohibited. Note: Fine mesh throw nets are illegal to use with a bait license. Required Commercial Marine License (source: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/licenses-and-permits/)
• Non-commercial rule (not applicable to commercial take): Bag limit one gallon (home consumption);
• 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