HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1336
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to aquatic resources.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

SECTION 1.  In July 1998, the department of land and natural resources established bottomfish restricted fishing areas in response to a federal assessment that indicated that bottomfish stocks in Hawaii were approaching an over-fished condition.  In an effort to conserve the spawning populations of the seven fish species identified as bottomfish, the department prohibits any person from taking or possessing bottomfish within bottomfish restricted fishing areas designated throughout the Hawaiian islands.

However, recent stock assessments indicate that the restricted bottomfish are neither overfished nor subject to overfishing.  Moreover, there is no evidence to suggest that bottomfish restricted fishing areas are reducing the mortality rates of bottomfish.  Consequently, with no clear indication of a return on investment, bottomfish restricted fishing areas represent an unnecessary use of resources.

The purpose of this Act is to prohibit the department of land and natural resources from establishing restricted fishing areas within which the fishing or taking of bottomfish is prohibited.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 187A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§187A-     Bottomfish restricted fishing areas; prohibited.  (a)  The department shall not establish restricted fishing areas within which the fishing or taking of bottomfish is prohibited.

(b)  For the purposes of this section:

     "Bottomfish" includes the following fish species:

     (1)  ‘Ula‘ula koa‘e, ruby or longtail snapper, or onaga (Etelis coruscans);

     (2)  ‘Ula‘ula or ehu (Etelis carbunculus);

     (3)  Kalekale (Pristipomoides sieboldii);

     (4)  ‘Opakapaka (Pristipomoides filamentosus);

     (5)  ‘Ukikiki or gindai (Pristipomoides zonatus);

     (6)  Hapu‘u, hapu‘upu‘u, or Hawaiian grouper (Epinephelus quernus); and

     (7)  Lehi or rusty jobfish (Aphareus rutilans).

"Taking" means fishing for, catching, or harvesting, or attempting to fish for, catch, or harvest, aquatic life."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

DLNR; Bottomfish; Restricted Fishing Areas; Prohibited

 

Description:

Prohibits DLNR from establishing restricted fishing areas within which the fishing or taking of bottomfish is prohibited.

 

 

 

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