HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1123
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO FISHING.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that requiring a standardized fishing stock assessment prior to the adoption of any new rules regulating fishing will decrease the adverse effects on the community to new regulations, minimize any detrimental impact to individuals who rely on these resources for survival, and allow for better management of the State's natural resources.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of land and natural resources to perform a standardized fishing stock assessment based on defined data metrics and accompanied by a peer review process prior to adopting any new rules that regulate fishing.

SECTION 2. Chapter 188, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§188-   Rule making; stock assessments. The department of land and natural resources shall perform a fishing stock assessment prior to the adoption of any new rule regulating fishing. The fishing stock assessment shall:

(1) Account for fish species in the affected area;

(2) Be proportionate in duration to the adult life cycle of each species to be assessed and shall include, at a minimum, the developmental period between birth and sexual maturity;

(3) Identify and assess species-specific habitats, including by measuring habitat-specific vital rates and species movement within and among habitats;

(4) Be subjected to a thorough peer review process prior to publication; and

(5) Require consultation with native Hawaiian traditional and cultural gatherers and practitioners prior to any rule adoption.

(b) The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to perform stock assessments according to this section."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Fishing; Stock Assessments; DLNR

Description:

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to perform a stock assessment on the fish species in the affected area prior to adopting any new rules to regulate fishing. (HB1123 HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.