Allows fishers to drop unsalable parts of the shark into the ocean prior to landing.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that shark finning offends many native Hawaiians and other indigenous peoples of the Pacific. It is a wasteful and an inhumane practice, and the landing of unreported shark fins contributes little if anything to the economy of this State. The legislature codified these sentiments in section 188-40.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, prohibiting shark finning "unless the fins were taken from a shark landed whole in the State." However, the legislature further finds that landing sharks whole is not cost-efficient for the average shark fisher who is not in the illegal practice of "shark finning". Rather, for legitimate fishers, unsalable parts of the shark should be dropped into the ocean to be consumed by ocean animals for purposes of efficiency and environmental ecology.

The purpose of this Act is to allow unsalable shark parts to be dropped into the ocean prior to landing by redefining "whole".

SECTION 2. Section 188-40.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:

"(f) As used in this section:

"Land" or "landed" means when the shark or any part thereof is first brought to shore.

"Shark fin" means the raw or dried fin of a shark with the shark carcass removed.

"Whole" means the entire shark with its head and flesh intact, allowing for the removal of unsalable parts, including the blood, internal organs, and tail at sea."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

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