HONOLULU -- The new ban on bottom fishing in Hawaii started on Tuesday.

That means island fish favorites like onaga, opakapaka, ehu and a few others cannot be fished from now through Sept. 30.

The last pallet of ehu was brought into the United Fishing Agency before midnight and was auctioned off on Tuesday morning.

Local waters are being closed off to bottom fishing in an attempt to revitalize the fishery.

Bottom Fishing Rules

Half of the bottom fish consumed is from the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, but is not as fresh as locally caught bottom fish.

"For those people who are used to quality bottom fish, they will find they won't be having the good quality stuff for at least six months this year, and what happens next year is anyone's guess," said Brooks Takenaka of the United Fishing Agency.

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 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.