STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3269

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2717

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2717, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SHARK PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish an offense for a person knowingly capturing, possessing, abusing, or entangling any shark, whether alive or dead, or killing any shark, within state marine waters, subject to penalties and fines, with certain exceptions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, The Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International, Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Climate Protectors Coalition, Moana Ohana, For the Fishes Pono Advocacy, Animal Rights Hawai‘i, and thirteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from five individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from One Ocean Conservation, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that sharks are extremely important to ocean ecosystems because they bring balance, regulate populations of other marine life, and ensure healthy fish stock and reefs. Your Committee further finds that sharks play a vital historical and cultural role in Hawaii, including native Hawaiian customary and traditional rights protected by the Hawaii State Constitution. In 2010, Hawaii became the first state in the nation to enact a prohibition on the sale of shark fins and fin products; however, the law does not prohibit the killing of whole live sharks in state waters. Your Committee finds that the State should better protect Hawaii's valuable sharks. This measure makes it unlawful for a person to knowingly capture, possess, abuse, or entangle any shark, whether alive or dead, or kill any shark, within state marine waters, unless exempted.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2717, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair