STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1571

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1017

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 1017, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CRUSTACEANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to repeal section 188-58.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which prohibits the taking or killing of female spiny lobsters, Kona crabs, and Samoan crabs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Cates International, Inc.; Everything Fish, Inc.; and seven individuals.

Your Committee finds that existing state law prohibiting the taking or killing of female spiny lobsters, Kona crabs, and Samoan crabs was enacted in 2006 based on the best scientific information available at that time. Since then, information concerning Kona crabs has grown to the point where management measures for this species should be updated, as recent benchmark assessments have concluded that Kona crab populations are very healthy. Other studies have also suggested that the prohibition on the taking or killing of female spiny lobsters could potentially create a sex ratio and size imbalance that may inhibit successful reproduction. Your Committee further finds that the Department of Land and Natural Resources can accomplish species management measures through the administrative rule-making process, which provides ample opportunity for public input and collection of scientific information. Accordingly, this measure repeals these unnecessary prohibitions and supports the Department of Land and Natural Resources' ability to adopt more appropriate administrative rules as information becomes available concerning these species.

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 H.B. No. 1017, H.D. 1, 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