HONOLULU -- State and federal fishing authorities have agreed to the most sweeping seasonal ban ever on bottom fishing in Hawaii to prevent overfishing.

Starting this year, commercial and recreational fishermen will be prohibited from catching bottom fish for five months from May 1 until Sept. 30.

The seasonal bottom fishing ban extends over all federal and state waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands. That includes all waters from shore to 200 miles at sea.

Bottom Fishing Rules

"There has never been any type of action of this magnitude," said Ed Ebisu of the Western Fishery Management. "There are probably 3,000 to 4,000 boats that fish bottomfish in the main Hawaiian Islands, and this action will directly impact them."

Bottom fish include onaga, ehu, gindai, opakapaka, kalekale, lehi and hapuupuu.

Onaga, ehu and opakapaka are some of Hawaii's most popular fish. They are the so-called signature fish served in many of the islands' finest restaurants.