HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	98
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Urging the department of land and natural resources to work with stakeholders to develop guidelines for best practices for the operation of marine mammal tours.

     WHEREAS, marine mammal tours, such as dolphin and whale watching tours, are popular tourist attractions and function as an important part of Hawaii's tourism economy; and

     WHEREAS, there is a desire to offer an enjoyable, safe, and educational experience for visitors and residents alike; and

     WHEREAS, the number of marine mammal tours has grown in recent years leading to an increased need to ensure that human activities do not affect the health of, disrupt normal behaviors of, or otherwise cause stress to marine mammals; and

     WHEREAS, on August 24, 2016, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published proposed regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act that would afford greater protections for the Hawaiian spinner dolphins, but would also impact marine mammal tour operations; and

     WHEREAS, the proposed regulations were developed without consultation with local businesses engaging in these activities; and

     WHEREAS, per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's own findings, their preferred alternative regulations would negatively impact the local economy; and

     WHEREAS, those in the industry would prefer to collaborate with the scientific community to establish voluntary guidelines for best practices for the operation of marine mammal tours, rather than be subject to new federal regulations; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2017, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is urged to work with stakeholders to develop guidelines for best practices for the operation of marine mammal tours; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Marine Mammal Tours