Report Title:

Uhu; Goatfish; Bag Limit

 

Description:

Establishes a fishing bag limit for uhu and goatfish to no more than two kumu, two moano ukali, two munu and two uhu per person, per day, for recreational, subsistence, or commercial purposes.


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

3260

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO FISHing.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  In recent years, the number of uhu and goatfish found on reefs surrounding the island of Maui has declined.  The popularity of uhu and goatfish as food fish has led to over-harvesting on the island of Maui and has made harvesting these fish for food difficult.

     There are eight species of uhu (family Scaridae) in Hawaii.  Also known as parrotfish, once commonly found on reefs surrounding Maui, uhu is the most prolific contributor of sand production of all Hawaiian reef fishes.

     The redlip uhu (Scarus rubroviolaceus), also known as "uhu palukaluka", the stareye uhu (Calotomus carolinus), also known as "ponuhunuhu", the spectacled uhu (Chlorurus perspicillatus), also known as "uhu uliuli" (male) and uhu'ahu'ula (female) are the preferred species for eating.

     There are also five other types of uhu, the yellowbar uhu (Calotomus zonarchus), the bullethead uhu (Chlorurus sordidus), regal uhu (Scarus dubius), spinytooth uhu (Calotomus spinidens) and the palenose uhu (Scarus psittacus).  The spectacled, yellowbar, and regal uhus are endemic to Hawaii.

     There are several species of goatfish (family Mullidae) in Hawaii.  The three species most sought after as a food fish are the white saddle goatfish (Parupeneus porphyreus), also known as kumu, the blue goatfish (Parupeneus cyclostomus), also known as moano ukali and the double bar goatfish (Parupeneus bifasciatus) also known as munu, commonly found on reefs surrounding Maui.  This family of fish is highly prized as a food fish and cherished by many ethnic cultures.

     Although uhu can be harvested year-round, the regal uhu,  palenose uhu, redlip uhu, bullethead uhu and the spectacled uhu, require a minimum length of twelve inches by measure of fork length (the distance from the fish's mouth or snout to the fork of the tail) to be legally harvested in Hawaii.  Although kumu can be harvested year-round, the white saddle goatfish must have a minimum length of ten inches by measure of fork length to be legally harvested in Hawaii.  The moano ukali and munu are unregulated species and currently have no size restrictions.

     The purpose of this Act is to require a bag limit for uhu and goatfish to no more than two kumu, two moano ukali, two munu and two uhu per person, per day, for recreational, subsistence, or commercial purposes.  The legislature finds that the overharvesting of uhu and goatfish from the reefs surrounding the island of Maui is a matter of statewide concern.

     The Act also provides for exemptions and creates minimum size limits for all species of uhu, moano ukali, and munu.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 188, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§188-     Uhu; goatfish; bag limit.  (a)  As used in this section:

     "Goatfish" means the species of the family Mullidae that includes the kumu, munu, and moano ukali.

     "Kumu" means any fish known as Parupeneus porphyreus or any recognized synonym.

     "Length" means the straight line measurement from the tip of the snout to the middle of the trailing edge of the tail.

     "Maui" means the entire island of Maui including its state marine waters.

     "Moano ukali" means any fish known as Parupeneus cyclostomus or any recognized synonym.

     "Munu" means any fish known as Parupeneus bifasciatus or any recognized synonym.

     "Sell" means, with respect to uhu and goatfish, to:

     (1)  Solicit and receive an order for;

     (2)  Have, keep, offer, or expose for sale;

     (3)  Deliver for value or in any other way than purely gratuitously;

     (4)  Peddle;

     (5)  Keep with the intent to sell; or

     (6)  Traffic-in the sale of.

     "Take" means to fish for, catch, capture, confine, or harvest, or to attempt to fish for, catch, capture, confine, or harvest aquatic life.  The use of any gear, equipment, tool, or any means to fish for, catch, capture, confine, or harvest, aquatic life, by any person who is in the water, or in a vessel on the water, or on or about the shore where aquatic life can be fished for, caught, captured, confined, or harvested, shall be construed as taking.

     "Uhu" means any fish known as Scarus rubroviolaceus, Chlorurus sordidus, Chlorurus perspicillatus, Scarus dubius, Scarus psittacus, Calotomus spinidens, Calotomus zonarchus, or Calotomus carolinus, or any recognized synonym.

     (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to take, possess, or sell more than two of each of the following species of goatfish--kumu, moano ukali and munu per day on Maui; provided that a commercial marine dealer may possess and sell more than two kumu, two moano ukali, and two munu, with receipts issued for the purchase pursuant to section 189-11.

     (c)  It shall be unlawful for any person to take, possess, or sell any kumu, moano ukali, or munu less than ten inches in length.

     (d)  It shall be unlawful for any person to take, possess, or sell more than two uhu per day on Maui; provided that a commercial marine dealer may possess and sell more than two uhu with receipts issued for the purchase pursuant to section 189‑11.

     (e)  It shall be unlawful for any person to take, possess, or sell any uhu less than twelve inches in length.

     (f)  The department may issue permits to engage in activities otherwise prohibited by law, in accordance with section 187A-6, or as may be otherwise authorized by law."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

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

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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