STAND. COM. REP. NO.  637

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.C.R. No. 14

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 14 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES TO RECOGNIZE THE RECOVERY OF HAWAIIAN GREEN SEA TURTLES AND BEGIN ACTIVE MANAGEMENT OF THIS IMPORTANT SPECIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge:

     (1)  The United States to recognize the recovery of the Hawaiian green sea turtle and begin active management of this species; and

     (2)  The United States Fish and Wildlife Service to designate the Hawaiian green sea turtle as a distinct population segment and delist it from the threatened species list under the Endangered Species Act.

The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Maunalua Hawaiian Civic Club, Outrigger Enterprises Group, and several individuals provided testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Center for Biological Diversity, The Humane Society of the United States, Turtle Island Restoration Network, Animal Rights Hawaii, Conservation Council for Hawaii, For the Fishes, and numerous individuals provided testimony in opposition to this measure.  A few individuals provided comments on this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 14 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

FAYE P. HANOHANO, Chair