Bill Text: HI SB1199 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Molokai Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [SB1199 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2010-SB1199-Amended.html
Report Title:
Molokai Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area
Description:
Designates certain state waters surrounding the island of Molokai as the Molokai Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area. (SD1)
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1199 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO FISHING.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that in ancient times, the people of Molokai were known for their ability to produce abundant quantities of food, and the island of Molokai and its surrounding ocean was frequently referred to as "Aina Momona," meaning "abundant land." The people of Molokai maintained a sustainable and self-sufficient food supply for over a thousand years through careful stewardship. However, modernization and abandonment of traditional resource management have led to the severe decline of Molokai's fishery. Lack of meaningful stewardship threatens to cause irreparable harm to the cultural, social, and economic well-being of the island.
Today, subsistence remains an important component of the lives of the people of Molokai, as it supplements their traditionally low income. Subsistence, especially fishing, can constitute twenty-five per cent of the income of an average Molokai family. Thirty-five per cent of Molokai residents rely on some form of subsistence for their food supply.
The decrease in the abundance and diversity of the nearshore fishery on Molokai can be attributed to:
(1) Loss of traditional methods of fishery management which allow fisheries to replenish themselves;
(2) Increase in commercial fishing;
(3) Lack of enforcement of state regulations;
(4) Recreational pursuits such as canoe races, which attract hundreds of recreational fishing boats; and
(5) Poor management of agricultural practices, which have led to excessive amounts of sediment deposited on the south shore reefs of Molokai damaging the coral reef habitats.
The residents and community organizations of Molokai are eager to assist in developing a management plan that incorporates traditional knowledge, active monitoring, and enforcement activity for the management of the nearshore fishery on Molokai.
The purpose of this Act is to create and amend fishing provisions that affect the community on the island of Molokai. Specifically, this Act establishes a community-based subsistence fishing area around the island of Molokai to protect the fish stocks and coral reef habitats.
SECTION 2. Chapter 188, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§188‑ Molokai community-based subsistence fishing area; restrictions; regulations. (a) There is designated the Molokai community-based subsistence fishing area on the island of Molokai, which shall consist of all state waters and submerged lands within an irregular line one mile offshore that is parallel to the contours of the shoreline of the island of Molokai.
(b) In addition to the provisions of this chapter and the traditional management systems established by the ‘aha kiole advisory committee or the ‘aha moku council, the following uses or activities shall be regulated in the Molokai community-based subsistence fishing area:
(1) Any activities with a commercial purpose, as defined in section 187A-1;
(2) The issuance of any commercial marine license, as defined in section 187A-1;
(3) The issuance of any aquarium fish permits, as defined in section 188-31;
(4) Fishing with self-contained underwater breathing apparatus and spears; and
(5) Any other use or activity that the department of land and natural resources, in consultation with the inhabitants of the island of Molokai, the ‘aha kiole advisory committee or ‘aha moku council, and other interested parties, deems appropriate.
(c) The department of land and natural resources shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary for the purpose of this section."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
