STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1512

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 1313

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 1313, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SPORT FISH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to:

(1) Establish, no later than January 1, 2022, a pilot project to restock northern largemouth bass, butterfly peacock bass, or both, in the Wahiawa public fishing area in central Oahu; and

(2) Apply to the Department of Agriculture for the permit to import the northern largemouth bass and work with another public entity or partner with a private entity to accomplish the pilot project.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from eleven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that the northern largemouth bass and butterfly peacock bass, also known as tucunare, are some of the most popular gamefish in the United States. However, your Committee notes that bass fishing in Hawaii is far less popular than in other states. One reason for the small number of anglers fishing for bass is the lack of a diverse population of these sport fish in Hawaii's artificial reservoirs. Your Committee further finds that restocking the Wahiawa public fishing area in central Oahu with new stocks of northern largemouth bass and butterfly peacock bass will refresh the genetic diversity of these fish populations, thereby enhancing and supporting the pre‑existing populations for continued recreational fishing in Hawaii.

Your Committee notes that the Department of Land and Natural Resources raised concerns in its testimony before your Committee about the feasibility of establishing the pilot restocking project by January 1, 2022. The Department notes that it needs to fill a vacant biologist position and petition the Department of Agriculture to place the northern largemouth bass on an import list. While your Committee is agreeable to delaying the deadline for establishing the pilot project, your Committee notes that this should not delay any effort on the part of the Department to establish the pilot project as soon as practicable.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the deadline for establishment of the pilot project from January 1, 2022, to January 1, 2023; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1313, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1313, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair