STAND. COM. REP. NO.  267-16

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1734

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1734 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MARINE LIFE PROTECTION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to prohibit and provide penalties for the knowing capture, killing, or taking of all sharks and rays within state marine waters subject to exceptions for special activity permits, native Hawaiian gathering rights and traditional cultural practices, public safety, and personal safety.  This measure establishes a new prohibition on the knowing capture, killing, or taking of sharks and clarifies and expands the existing prohibition on the knowing capture or killing of manta rays.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Aha Moku Advisory Committee, Humane Society International, Wild Aid, The Manta Trust, Shark Stewards, the Center for Biological Diversity, The Humane Society of the United States, Defenders of Wildlife, West Hawaii Humane Society, Animal Rights Hawaii, Conservation Council for Hawaii, Babes Against Biotech, Hoomana Pono, LLC, and many individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Hawaii Goes Fishing, Hawaii Fishermen's Alliance for Conservation and Tradition, and several individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies, and two individuals.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Clarifying the definitions of "shark" and "ray";

 

     (2)  Adding a severability clause; and

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1734, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1734, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

KANIELA ING, Chair