STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1642

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.B. No. 378

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 378, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FISHING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to help ensure the appropriate regulation and management of certain fish populations by requiring the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to:

     (1)  Continue holding public informational meetings regarding the taking and protection of uhu, weke/moana kali, and ulua/papio;

     (2)  Gather and use all available data as support for any proposed rules based on public input and develop a monitoring and evaluation program to determine the effects of such rules; and

     (3)  Develop a monitoring and evaluation program examining various factors on the ecosystem that will affect the habitat and forage of uhu, weke/moana kali, and ulua/papio.

     The Hawaii Nearshore Fishermen and several concerned individuals supported this bill.  DLNR and the Nature Conservancy opposed this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 378, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair