found some live rock, can i use it?

R

rjattack19

Guest
im currently in hawaii and while snorkeling i stumbled upon a beautiful piece of live rock that had broken off from its original source. my plan is to take it back and put it in my tank. what would be the appropriate process for doing so? also, what is the best way to transport an item such as said rock?
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
i'd leave it... you may have actually broken hawaii law:
Taking or damaging coral, live rocks and coral rubble
State law prohibits the breaking or damaging, with any implement, any stony coral from the waters of Hawaii, including any reef or mushroom coral. HAR 13-95-70
It is unlawful to take, break or damage, any implement, any rock or coral to which marine life of any type is visibly attached. HAR 13-95-71
The taking of sand, coral rubble or other marine deposits is permitted in certain circumstances. The material may not exceed one gallon per person per day, and may be taken only for personal, noncommercial purposes. HRS §171-58.5, §205A-44
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
if you were to take it home though, wrap it in newspaper, put in a plastic bag, and keep it wet. you'll most likely have to recure it when you get it home.
 
R

rjattack19

Guest
well its still in the ocean i put it in a "hidding spot" lol so i cant get a pic. but its about 40 pounds or so, covered with all types of growth, and has tons of cool little holes and caves in it.
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
seriously, leave it there. you're looking at a $1k fine and 30 days in jail. it's cheaper to buy LR at home.
 
ccampbell57

ccampbell57

Active Member
Also, be careful about Hawaiian folk lore. My family is from Oahu and there is a rule that you dont take Lava from the islands, if you do, you will have bad luck till it is returned. I have actually seen this happen. My friend went on his honeymoon there and took lava to put in his tank and give as gifts and less than a week later his tank got ick and all inhabitants died. He also broke his leg and his car was wrecked.
If I were you I would leave it in the special place for others to see.
 
stdreb27

stdreb27

Active Member
I personally wish, I could do that, but I think judging from the 2nd post. It sounds pretty illeagal
 
shrimpi

shrimpi

Active Member
you would have to fedex it home, I dont beleive an airliner will allow you to take living things on the plane without the proper permit. (especially if it was part of a living reef).
If it was baserock it would be different (my parents were in Hawaii a few months back and they fedexed me some dried coral skeletons they found- So Im very accustomed to this situation you are bringing up. They wanted to ship me live things but I declined.)
to be honest, I feel your pain. I know the rock is probably gorgeous and perfect.... but thats what makes the place it lives a gorgeous and perfect place. I wouldnt disrupt any part of the reef.
Remember, even observing something changes the environment and causes otherwise 'unnatural' behaviour by the one being watched.
.. and thats just spectating!
Its up to you ultimately. dont get caught and make sure you feel ok with it.
Happy Reefing.
Jessica/Shrimpi
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
that's why i posted the third law there. it says coral rubble is allowed as long as there's no life to it (inferring from law 2)
 
jmj6239

jmj6239

Member
I feel your pain, I married into a timeshare on Kaanapali Beach, with a beatiful reef! Rules to live by in my opinion, If it is in the water, be safe, Leave it there. But if it is washed up on shore it is fair game, make sure you cure it though. there is an aquarium permit you can obtain to take living creatures at no charge but I dont know the rules of it, YET!!! from what i have seen it pertains to fish and inverts. also Hawaii is one of just a couple states that does not require a fishing liscense for ocean fishing!
 
ice4ice

ice4ice

Active Member
The Hawaiian reefs are the most delicate reefs now. So if I were you and if you say it's beautiful down there, leave them alone !! Do not take anything out of Hawaiian waters. Let's preserve the delicate Hawaiian reefs and leave them alone for future generations to enjoy while scuba/snorkelling.
 
R

rjattack19

Guest
well i ended up leaving it there, but you guys need to relax with the reef thing, were do you think your rocks came from? just cuz you paid for them dosnt mean it didnt effect the reef. (very few rocks are actually aquacultured) and it did wash up it was sticking out of the water right on the shore, i did however return the rock deeper into the ocean
 
brandon7491

brandon7491

Member
awww man i would have taken that in a heart beat lol that must have been an awsome piece. btw dont let people influence your decisions. people on this site tend to go too far over little things such as a rock.
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member

Originally Posted by rjattack19
well i ended up leaving it there, but you guys need to relax with the reef thing, were do you think your rocks came from? just cuz you paid for them dosnt mean it didnt effect the reef. (very few rocks are actually aquacultured) and it did wash up it was sticking out of the water right on the shore, i did however return the rock deeper into the ocean
actually, my rock was aquacultured. it was placed out in the ocean years ago and is harvested.
im currently in hawaii and while snorkeling i stumbled upon a beautiful piece of live rock that had broken off from its original source.
this contradicts your latest statement...
 
maxalmon

maxalmon

Active Member
Originally Posted by rjattack19
well i ended up leaving it there, but you guys need to relax with the reef thing, it did wash up it was sticking out of the water right on the shore, i did however return the rock deeper into the ocean
A 40lb rock washed up on shore or did you find it while snorkling? It would be pretty hard to move a 40lb rock while under water or to move it to deeper waters.
.
Not trying to come down on you, but if everyone had such a nonchalant attitude over a period of time is why there are so many problems with worldwide reefs.
.
You have to actually care about something in order to make a difference.
.
Many years ago I was a volunteer at the Waikiki Aquarium and you can't even begin to understand how sensitive the water and reefs are. Some areas you are allowed to harvest ornamental fish on an "every other year basis" others are strict off limits. Try removing a rock from Hanama Bay and see how fast the rangers are on you.
.
Florida, where your from has some of the strictest aquaculture laws of any state. Most vendors are required to follow state rules and regulations and all aquaculturing is done in special areas and there is strict monitoring along with harvesting regualtions as well. I would say that a majority of LR is harvested in a respectfull manor and not just yanked out of the ocean
 
R

rjattack19

Guest
Originally Posted by maxalmon
A 40lb rock washed up on shore or did you find it while snorkling? It would be pretty hard to move a 40lb rock while under water or to move it to deeper waters.
.
Not trying to come down on you, but if everyone had such a nonchalant attitude over a period of time is why there are so many problems with worldwide reefs.
.
You have to actually care about something in order to make a difference.
.
Many years ago I was a volunteer at the Waikiki Aquarium and you can't even begin to understand how sensitive the water and reefs are. Some areas you are allowed to harvest ornamental fish on an "every other year basis" others are strict off limits. Try removing a rock from Hanama Bay and see how fast the rangers are on you.
.
Florida, where your from has some of the strictest aquaculture laws of any state. Most vendors are required to follow state rules and regulations and all aquaculturing is done in special areas and there is strict monitoring along with harvesting regualtions as well. I would say that a majority of LR is harvested in a respectfull manor and not just yanked out of the ocean

florida? im not from florida...were did you get that?... and under water everything is pretty much weightless, as soon as it comes out of the water it gets heavy. and it did break off from the reef and was washed up to shallower waters, so im not contradicting anything. dont under estimate the stength of the water to move things
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top