Bill Text: HI HB1751 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Aquatic Resources.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-03-06 - Referred to WTL, WAM. [HB1751 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-HB1751-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1751 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO AQUATIC RESOURCES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that marine protected areas are effective tools for preserving Hawaii's nearshore resources. The department of land and natural resources defines a marine protected area as any area of the marine environment established by law or regulation to protect or enhance part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein. Studies of marine protected areas in Hawaii and worldwide have shown large increases in biomass, density, size, and diversity of marine organisms in the area. Marine protected areas promote healthy diverse ecosystems, which are more likely to survive disturbances caused by people, weather, or climate-related changes. In a study of sixty fishing sites in the main Hawaiian islands, no-take marine protected areas had over twice the biomass, higher diversity, and larger fish than partially protected and open access sites. Marine protected areas have also been shown to result in sustainable fisheries, to promote marine education and recreation, and to stimulate the economy through ecotourism and education.
The purpose of this Act is to require the department of land and natural resources to establish a network of marine protected areas to protect Hawaii's marine resources and effectively manage thirty per cent of the State's nearshore resources by 2030.
SECTION 2. Chapter 188, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§188- Designation of marine protected areas. (a)
The department of land and natural resources, through its division of
aquatic resources, shall designate a network of marine protected areas and
carry out marine management strategies for such areas for the purpose of
preserving the State's nearshore marine resources. The department shall adopt administrative rules
pursuant to chapter 91 to designate and manage marine protected areas.
(b) The network of marine protected areas shall
include no-take areas and herbivore replenishment areas in coastal fishing
areas with the most critical depletion of fish stock. The location of the coastal fishing areas to
be designated as marine protected areas, including no-take areas and herbivore
replenishment areas, shall be based on the most relevant statistical data and
reports.
(c) When designating a network of marine protected
areas and carrying out marine management strategies for such areas, the
department shall consider and provide for the preservation of traditional and
customary native Hawaiian practices.
(d) The department of land and natural resources shall
submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of each regular session on its progress towards the goal of effective
management of thirty per cent of the State's nearshore resources by 2030.
(e) For the purposes of this section:
"No-take area" means an
area that is closed to all taking of aquatic life.
"Herbivore
replenishment area" means an area that is closed to the taking of
herbivorous fish."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Marine Protected Areas; Department of Land and Natural Resources
Description:
Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources, through its Division of Aquatic Resources, to establish a network of marine protected areas, which includes no-take areas and herbivore replenishment areas, in coastal fishing areas with the most critical fish depletion.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
