A bill to ban the sale of 'opihi has passed first reading in the Legislature and is drawing mixed reviews, even from people who feel it is needed.

"It's good and it's bad," said William Alana, of Da Pokeman Fish Market in Wahiawa. "It's good that they're doing it, because it will help the ocean a lot. But it's a product that everybody wants. They want it for their parties and stuff."

Sen. Clayton Hee, D-23rd (Kahuku to Kane'ohe), introduced the bill, SB2006, and said he understands both sides of the issue but felt that for the protection of the three edible Hawaiian limpets, the commercial ban was needed.

"The ones that get in the crossfire, unfortunately, are the mom-and-pop fish vendors. And for the people who cannot get it themselves, who's going to get it for them?" Hee said. "But 'opihi is next in line for the endangered species list. If you want it for your table, that's different. But if you want it to sell — the 'opihi needs to rest."

State fishing regulations permit the collecting of limpets, provided that their shell diameter is at least 1.25 inches or that the diameter of the shellfish's foot is a half-inch.

'Opihi already are difficult to find at legal size anywhere on O'ahu and on the most accessible spots on the Neighbor Islands. Alana said that when he has been able to get any, it has come from the Big Island — and even those pickers are reporting they are scarce.

Francis Oishi, manager for the state's recreational fishing program in the Division of Aquatic Resources, said his agency has taken no position on Hee's measure, but that a ban on commercial sale is among the options the division has considered in dealing with the severe shortage of 'opihi.

"On O'ahu, it's a rare sight except in areas closed to the public (for fishing), like Hanauma Bay and military bases. In the last couple of years, the harvest level has been real low. There's been discussions of prohibiting sale, of setting closed seasons, changing the size limits and establishing closed areas," Oishi said.

Hee said he doesn't believe a change in size limits would be particularly effective. That's not because commercial 'opihi gatherers would consciously violate the law, but because of the dangerous realities of the business. "If you're getting knocked around by the waves, are you going to stop and check if it's an inch and a quarter?" he said.

He hopes that with the economic incentive removed, residents picking 'opihi will go easier on the resource, leaving smaller animals to grow and reproduce.

"If you pick for the table, you might be more selective, because, 'That's my refrigerator,' " Hee said.

Alana also feels a ban could help the folks seeking 'opihi for dinner. "As long as people don't sell it, maybe there will be more to pick (for home consumption)," Alana said.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.