It shall be unlawful for any person to use net (other than small hand nets) with a stretched mesh of less than one and one-half inches (12″”), provided, however, that:

(a) Persons catching live fish for aquarium purposes may obtain permits from the Director of Agriculture for the use of small mesh nets to capture aquarium type of fish only. For purposes of this regulation, the manahak (rabbitfish), ti’ao (juvenile goatfish), i’e’ (juvenile crangid) and aguas (juvenile mullet) are not considered aquarium type fishes. A small hand net is defined as a framed net, usually with a handle attached and the greatest frame opening not exceeding twelve inches.

(b) Persons engaging in tuna fishing may apply for permits from the Director of Agriculture to capture live bait fish such as minnow (spratelloides), ginyo (atherinidae), fadya (engraulidae) and other suitable bait fish, but will not include the aguas, ti’ao, i’e’ and manahak.

I That the above provisions stipulated in items (a) and (b) are not applicable in any areas designated as conservation areas where the taking of all seasonal fishes are prohibited.

This restriction shall not apply to traditional methods when used for the taking of such seasonal juveniles as rabbitfish (manahak), skipjack (i’e’), goatfish (ti’ao), herring (menis) and mullet (aguas).

SOURCE: GC § 12385 added by P.L. 12-186 (Nov. 20, 1974); repealed/
reenacted by P.L. 16-039:11 (Sept. 11, 1981).