Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Technology, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 182, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this proposed measure is to request the establishment of an experimental swordfish fishery to adopt alternative turtle mitigation measures and avoid adverse economic impact.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this proposed measure from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.

Your Committee finds that the longline fishery closures have created a hardship on the longline fishery and related businesses. This in turn has caused a negative impact on the State's economy. New turtle mitigation measures may enable the swordfish fishery to reopen.

Your Committee has amended this measure by requiring the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit a report to the National Marine Fisheries Service documenting Hawaii's direction in its efforts to adopt alternative turtle mitigation measures.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 182, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 182, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.