STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1286

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 366

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 366, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MANTA RAYS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish fines and penalties for knowingly killing or capturing manta rays within state waters.

     This measure also:

     (1)  Requires that special activity permits not be issued for any take that would exceed the potential biological removal level; and

     (2)  Defines "potential biological removal level".

     Your Committee finds that this measure will ensure the protection of Hawaii's manta ray populations.  Manta ray populations reproduce slowly, a female manta ray will take close to ten years before she has her first pup, and will contribute a single new pup only every two to three years.  Around the world manta ray populations have been decimated and manta rays are targeted for shark fin soup and controversial medicines.  Due to the slow reproduction process, any taking of manta rays can affect the population for many years.  Currently, there are no state laws or rules to protect Hawaii's manta ray population.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Land and Natural Resources to define a "take" in rules; and

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050 to continue the discussions on this matter.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 366, 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. 366, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair