STAND. COM. REP. NO.  435

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 998

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 998 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BOTTOMFISH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure that regulations on the fishing of bottomfish are supported by scientific evidence that establishes the environmental necessity of the rule.

The Hunting, Farming and Fishing Association, Hawaii Fishermen's Alliance for Conservation and Tradition, Inc., Hawaii Sportsmen's Alliance, Hawaii Goes Fishing, Fishing Tales with Mike Sakamoto, and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources and Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in opposition to this measure.

     Your Committee notes that the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, as well as several fishers who catch bottomfish, each testified at the Committee hearing that the current bottomfish catch is well below the allotted catch limit.  Accordingly, your Committee opened six of the twelve existing Bottomfish Restricted Fishing Areas for bottomfishing, to be determined where the restriction is not supported by scientific evidence of environmental necessity.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requiring the Department to allow bottomfish fishing in six of the existing Bottomfish Restricted Fishing Areas; and

     (2)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 998, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 998, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

KANIELA ING, Chair