THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

83

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE RESOLUTION

 

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR THE FACILITATION OF COMMUNITY-BASED, MARINE COMANAGEMENT EFFORTS.

 

 

WHEREAS, dramatic declines in the size, number, distribution, and quality of a wide variety of important and desirable native marine species and habitats have been observed by many members of Hawaii's fishing communities and other ocean users around the main Hawaiian Islands; and

WHEREAS, the replenishment and sustainable use of Hawaii's marine resources are of vital economic, environmental, cultural, and social importance to the people of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's marine waters and resources, from the lagoons and estuaries to the seaward limits of the State's jurisdiction, are part of the State's public trust resources and must be managed to restore abundance and to maintain long-term sustainability; and

WHEREAS, traditional Hawaiian stewardship practices carefully managed the nearshore resources of ahupua'a and sustained their abundance, imposing wise limitations on harvest, such as prohibiting fishing during spawning seasons or in species' nursery areas; and

WHEREAS, community-based, marine comanaged areas have benefited fishing communities through improved fish stocks and catch in the Philippines, Fiji, the Cook Islands, Palau, and Guam; and

WHEREAS, in Mo'omomi, Miloli'i, and West Hawaii, local communities are revitalizing and implementing traditional marine stewardship practices by using the knowledge of cultural

practitioners and experienced fishers to teach and engage other fishers in sustainable subsistence harvest of marine resources; and

WHEREAS, traditional fishing practices can maintain the same breeding stock as fully protected marine reserves when the harvest system in such communities is based on social and cultural controls that are strictly enforced; and

WHEREAS, community-based, marine comanagement is a useful and effective tool to replenish, restore, and conserve Hawaii's marine resources, enhance fishing, and reduce conflicts among user groups; and

WHEREAS, many communities have expressed interest in becoming stewards of their marine resources and assisting the State with management and monitoring; and

WHEREAS, it is in the State's interest to make use of volunteers whenever possible, and to take advantage of federal programs available to support community-based, marine comanagement initiatives; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, that this body supports the concept of community-based comanagement of marine resources in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is urged to encourage and assist the efforts of communities to act as stewards of their local marine resources to the extent that the law allows; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the DLNR is requested to develop a plan for the facilitation of community-based, marine comanagement efforts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the DLNR is requested to report on its progress, including necessary legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2005; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Community-Based Marine Co-Management, DLNR