STAND. COM. REP. NO. 159-00

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 2000

                                 RE: H.B. No. 2826
                                     




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ocean Recreation and Marine Resources, to
which was referred H.B. No. 2826 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FISHERIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to appropriate funds for the
Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to work with the
Oceanic Institute to provide for the development of a fish
breeding program on the island of Molokai.

     Increased commercial and recreational fishing of nearshore
waters off of the island of Molokai has led to the depletion of
reef fish and other fish populations.  The establishment of a
fish breeding program will help reestablish fish populations in
this area.  Since Molokai has one of the highest unemployment
rates in the State, the development of a fish breeding program
will provide an environmentally-friendly, low-impact means to
boost employment and encourage greater self-sufficiency among
island residents. 

     The Oceanic Institute and Representative Sol Kaho'ohalahala
testified in support of this bill.  The DLNR testified in support
of the concept of this bill but could not fully support it since
it would adversely impact it's priorities in the Executive
Biennium Budget. 

     Your Committee finds this bill worthy of further
consideration to help to enhance fish stocks as well as the

 
 
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economy of Molokai, but it is not the intent of your Committee to
adversely impact DLNR's budget priorities.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Ocean Recreation and Marine Resources that is
attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the
intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2826 and recommends that it pass
Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Ocean Recreation
                                   and Marine Resources,



                                   ______________________________
                                   ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair