STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3525
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: H.B. No. 2587
H.D. 2
S.D. 2
Honorable Robert Bunda
President of the Senate
Twenty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2006
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2587, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MARINE RESOURCES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to protect, conserve, and sustain Hawaii's marine resources for future generations and the future well-being of the State.
Specifically, this measure makes appropriations to allow the Department of Land and Natural Resources to:
(1) Undertake an assessment of various marine management measures to implement effective and appropriate measures and programs to sustain and conserve Hawaii's marine resources; and
(2) Provide additional positions to assist in the enforcement of the State's fishing laws.
Your Committee has received the concerns expressed by all segments of the population involved with the marine resources of this State, particularly fishers and those most directly impacted by existing fishing laws and proposals for new enforcement measures. Concerns expressed were generally opposed to the possible expansion of no-take marine managed areas.
While these areas focus on regulating consumptive users, the Department of Land and Natural Resources noted, in testimony presented in an informational briefing on the Supplemental Budget for fiscal year 2006-2007, that "the habitat is being degraded by many facets of development and heavy use by non-consumptive users, including commercial dive and snorkeling tours, and an increase of people recreating in the ocean." These nearshore activities directly impact the health of the reefs and the dependent marine resources. Your Committee finds that all consumptive and non-consumptive users should be considered and consulted with in management decisions to achieve the desired resource conservation goal with the least restrictive regime. Additional options raised included seasonal closures in lieu of expanding no-take areas.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Requesting that the Department of Land and Natural Resources consider, as a management tool, the use of seasonal closures rather than expanding the no-take areas;
(2) Clarifying that the appropriations being made are to sustain and conserve Hawaii's marine resources;
(3) Adding $1 amounts for the appropriations;
(4) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion; and
(5) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity and consistency.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2587, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2587, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,
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____________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair |
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