Bill Text: HI SB2023 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Hawaiian Fishponds.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-02-22 - Re-Referred to WTL/AEN, WAM/JDC. [SB2023 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2022-SB2023-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2023 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HAWAIIAN FISHPONDS.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Loko ia (Hawaiian fishponds) are part of advanced food systems that optimize natural watersheds, nutrient cycles, and fish biology and represent one of the world's most significant and successful aquacultural achievements. Loko ia must be utilized to ensure the health and wellbeing of future generations in Hawaii. Writing about commercial fisheries in Hawaii in 1901, J.H. Cobb estimated that about three hundred fifty fishponds had been in operation in ancient Hawaii.
The dramatic decline in the number of loko ia and the average yield of those remaining are attributed to various factors including competition from cheaper imported products, money replacing barter as the standards of exchange, population movement from rural to urban areas, loss of traditional loko ia management skills, and the availability of alternative sources of employment. Additionally, forces of nature, such as lava flows, tsunami and sea storms, land erosion, vegetation encroachment, and eutrophication have contributed to the destruction of Hawaiian loko ia. The historic loss of loko ia played a tragic role in furthering food inequity in Hawaii and points to the need to reinvigorate efforts to get ponds in operation.
Currently,
loko ia practitioners conclude that current marine health is too degraded for natural
stocking. From 1903 to 1983, fishery stocks
of amaama (mullet) and awa (milkfish) declined by over ninety per cent, and these
depleted population and degraded nursery habitats rendered the natural recruitment
of pua (juvenile fish) impossible. The current
predicament necessitates use of fish hatcheries to uplift loko ia operations and
contributions to Hawaii's food
security. Presently hatchery production is
the best option to restore loko ia productivity and access to hatchery-raised pua
has been identified as a pivotal need.
State and federal funded research between the 1970s and 1980s examined hatchery production of amaama and demonstrated successful maturation, spawning, and rearing of amaama through larval stage. Similar success with awa showed the potential role hatchery-raised pua could have for restocking efforts. The 1993 "Report of the Governor's Task Force on Molokai Fishpond Restoration" provided recommendations for hatchery support based on cultural and historical knowledge and community input. Nearly thirty years later, none of the recommendations have been fully actualized, and yet, the decline in marine health and increased need for food security have dramatically increased to the detriments of the communities.
Prioritizing loko ia restoration and revitalization is an active step towards improving food systems and reducing hunger, and increasing responsible consumption and production patterns. Restoration addresses the food security challenges of being an isolated island community. Estimates show that loko ia once produced about four hundred to six hundred pounds of sustainable protein per acre, per year, leading to an annual yield of near two million pounds per year. According to the department of business, economic development, and tourism, the replacement of just ten per cent of current food imports locally would save over $300,000,000 annually.
Stock enhancement hatcheries and loko ia restoration can also create sustainable jobs in the environmental sustainability and food production sectors, which in turn, provide alternatives in economic development. Building more careers in the field of fishpond restoration provides a meaningful way to revitalize the State's economy.
Loko ia also aid in ocean conservation, climate resilience, reef protection, and enhancement. Restoration and revitalization of loko ia are a vital aspect of reaching the 30x30 and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which the legislature committed to in 2019.
Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to provide for the department of land and natural resources to utilize state-of-the art knowledge in marine finfish hatchery production to establish a functional system to provide pua ama and pua awa to stock loko ia.
SECTION 2. Chapter 183B, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§183B- Utilization of marine finfish hatchery
production technology. (a) The
department of land and natural resources shall utilize current state-of-the-art
knowledge in marine finfish hatchery production to establish a functional system
to provide pua ama and pua awa to stock loko ia.
(b) The department of land and natural resources may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 concerning the application and utilization of marine finfish hatchery production technology for the repair, strengthening, reinforcement, and maintenance of loko ia."
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the purpose of hiring staff or contractors with expertise in finfish hatchery production, purchasing of equipment and supplies, and training workshops.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Department of Land and Natural Resources; Fishponds; Marine Finfish Hatchery; Food Security; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to utilize the current state-of-the-art knowledge in marine finfish hatchery production to establish a functional system to provide pua ama and pua awa to stock loko ia. Appropriates funds. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
