STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3474

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 17

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 17 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND ADOPT ADMINISTRATIVE RULES REGARDING THE CREATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF BAG LIMITS FOR ORNAMENTAL REEF FISH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Land and Natural Resources ("DLNR") to develop and adopt administrative rules regarding the creation and enforcement of bag limits for ornamental fish.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Kihei Community Association, Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, The Humane Society of the United States/Humane Society International, and fifty-two individuals.  Testimony in support of the intent of this measure was submitted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and one individual.  Testimony in support of this measure with amendments was submitted by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and two individuals.  Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the Hawaii Tropical Fish Association; Milly All Seas Fisheries; Greg Tides In, Inc.; and five individuals.

     Your Committee has amended this measure and its title as follows:

     (1)  Urging the DLNR to consult with the University of Hawaii School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, Department of Oceanography, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, and the Waikiki Aquarium, to develop and adopt administrative rules regarding the collection of ornamental reef fish;

     (2)  Urging the DLNR to establish fish replenishment areas for the waters surrounding Oahu and Maui, the purpose of which shall be limited to the replenishment of ornamental, non-consumptive fish.  The fish replenishment areas for Oahu and Maui are requested to be modeled after the program established by the West Hawaii Fisheries Council; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 17, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 17, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair