HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

73

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT STATEWIDE PUBLIC OUTREACH REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NONCOMMERCIAL MARINE FISHING REGISTRY, PERMIT, OR LICENSE SYSTEM IN HAWAII.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, the protection of the State's aquatic resources is important for cultural, economic, and environmental reasons; and

 

WHEREAS, the wise management of aquatic resources is necessary to ensure these resources are available for future generations; and

 

     WHEREAS, fishing registry, permitting, and licensing systems have proven to be an effective way to manage and protect aquatic resources in other states; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State currently requires all commercial fishers and recreational freshwater game fishers to obtain a license, and any vessel that is used to fish for certain deep bottomfish species must be registered; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State collects fisheries data through these license and registry systems to inform management in the Department of Land and Natural Resources (Department) of aquatic resources; and

 

     WHEREAS, there are no registry, permit, or license requirements for persons who engage in noncommercial marine fishing in the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, the implementation of a noncommercial marine fishing registry, permit, or license system would allow the Department to obtain data to more effectively manage these important fisheries; and

     WHEREAS, a noncommercial marine registry, permit, or license system would also improve the State's ability to conduct community outreach and education, and to enhance two-way dialogue with fishers; and

 

     WHEREAS, a noncommercial marine fishing registry, permit, or license system could provide an additional source of funding to support improved fisheries stock assessments, habitat restoration and enhancement, and marine resource enforcement; and

 

     WHEREAS, a noncommercial marine fishing registry, permit, or license system could improve marine resource enforcement by providing enforcement officers with the authority to conduct administrative inspections to monitor compliance with aquatic resource laws; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department recently received the final report of an independent study that analyzed the feasibility of establishing a noncommercial marine fishing registry, permit, or license system in Hawaii, and recommended outreach and discussion with affected stakeholders statewide; now therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2017, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is urged to conduct statewide public outreach to gather feedback on how a noncommercial marine fishing registry, permit, or license system would benefit or adversely impact the State of Hawaii and its people; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the outreach should seek specific feedback regarding:

 

(1)  The establishment of a noncommercial marine fishing registry, permit, or license system;

 

(2)  The terms and conditions for registration, permitting, or licensure;

 

(3)  The fees that should be imposed upon registrants, permittees, or licensees;

(4)  The protection and upholding of native Hawaiian traditional and customary gathering rights and practices;

 

(5)  Any differentiated fees for residents and nonresidents;

 

(6)  Any fee exemptions for certain classes of individuals;

 

(7)  The use of moneys collected under a noncommercial marine fishing registry, permit, or license system, including the amounts of moneys to be used for system administration, aquatic resources management, enforcement, and community outreach and education;

 

(8)  The collection, use, and sharing of data;

 

(9)  The impact of a noncommercial marine fishing registry, permit, or license on different segments of the fishing community, including charter fishing operations, and measures that can be taken to avoid or minimize adverse impacts;

 

(10) Privacy concerns arising from any additional administrative inspection authority conferred upon the Department through a registry, permit, or license system;

 

(11) Procedures and requirements for the Department's regular review of any noncommercial marine registry, permit, or license system that may be established; and

 

(12) Any other matters deemed necessary to examine the benefits and impacts of establishing a noncommercial marine fishing registry, permit, or license system; and

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

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Noncommercial marine fishing registry, permit or license system