THE AMAZING HAWAIIAN MICRO-LOBSTERS!™

REGULATIONS & CHALLENGES!

(PORTAL PAGE)

              Making Micro-Lobster units is simple and profitable if you just treat them as a profit-making opportunity and willing to bend the law. But if you want visitors to Hawaii to have an ideal high-success souvenir or gift to remind them of a special Hawaiian vacation, it's necessary to go beyond the minimum and to address each and every possible issue! The once plentiful specie is rapidly disappearing due to the loss of habitat. This section discusses what we do, where we are going, and the challenges ahead as we develop a viable strategy to prevent any threat of extinction!

OPAE-ULA REGULATIONS

          Opae-ula are fully regulated in the same manner as ocean fish and licenses are required to collect and sell,  even if collected on ponds in private property. A Commercial Fishing License is required to sell opae-ula. An Aquaculture Facility License is required to put together innoculated bacterial habitats or to create "live sand or live rock."  A Marine Dealer License is required to sell opae-ula or opae-ula units. These fall under the Aquatic Division of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources. Fuku-Bonsai, it's associates, and its authorized retailers meet ALL state and federal regulations.

CORAL, SAND & "LIVE ROCK" REGULATIONS

          Collection of coral, sand, and "live rock" for sale is strictly prohibited. There are strict limits of what can be collected for personal use.  These fall under the Aquatic Division of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources.

EXPORT LAVA REGULATIONS

          A limited permit from the US Department of Agriculture Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) is required to ship lava or volcanic cinder to the continental US including inspection of the source and the signing of a compliance agreement. Fuku-Bonsai currently has the only such limited permit which also covers shipment of our nursery "non-soil" potting media.

EXPORT TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES

          To date,  Fuku-Bonsai Micro-Lobster units have been cleared to handcarry to Japan and Canada. It is likely that they can be cleared for other countries in the future. But to export to foreign countries it will be necessary to obtain a US Fish & Wildlife Import Export License. Besides the annual license fee, there is a $55 inspection fee per shipment whether the shipment is a single retail unit or a container load. This will make foreign export challenging but we will address the challenges if we find the right foreign partner-associates.

CAPTIVE BREEDING & MASS CULTURE SYSTEMS

          As more of the original anchialine ponds get filled in or converted to landscaped fish ponds,   there are diminishing number of natural habitats.  It's just a matter of time before collecting will be prohibited.  Captive breeding & mass culture systems will provide the only legal sources and prevent them from becoming an endangered specie.

TEACHING ECOLOGY & BREEDING

           Native Hawaians maintained strong sustainable aquacultural fishponds and their philosophy of "MALAMA AINA;"   (taking care of the land) is reflected throughout their culture.   Micro-Lobsters will be introduced into teaching and incorporate Hawaiian conservation principles.