The state senator who proposed a ban on the commercial sale of 'opihi has also proposed prohibiting the commercial sale of wild-caught female spiny lobster, kona crab and Samoan crab.

"We have to wake up and understand that our ocean resources are finite and disappearing. Our ancestors had a kapu on certain fisheries for a reason," said Sen. Clayton Hee, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku). "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that places where our grandfathers went for crab and lobster no longer have crab and lobster."

Hee's proposal, Senate Bill 2737, would continue to allow their capture for home use and would allow the females to be sold if they are produced through commercial aquaculture operations.

Hawai'i fishery regulations on spiny lobsters, kona crab and Samoan crab already include a closed season May through August, and prohibit the taking of females with eggs for any purpose.

The protection of females is a legitimate management tool used in other areas, said Alton Miyasaka, acting commercial fisheries program manager in the state Division of Aquatic Resources. Maine lobster fisheries and Alaskan Dungeness crab fisheries prohibit the taking of females.

"I agree with it," said recreational fisherman Donn Carswell of Hanalei, Kaua'i. I think it's worth a try."

Hee said the concept is the same one Moloka'i deer hunters use — promoting the species' reproduction potential by protecting the female population.

Miyasaka said it is not difficult to tell crab and lobster males from females when the animals are adults. He said the division was not aware of the legislation and has not taken a position on it.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.