STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1684

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  S.R. No. 73
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.R.
No. 73, S.D. 1, entitled:

     "SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TASK
     FORCE TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A COORDINATED PUBLIC AND
     PRIVATE SECTOR ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this Resolution is to request the Department
of Land and Natural Resources, with the assistance of the private
sector, military, and other concerned organizations, to form a
task force to facilitate and create artificial near-shore
habitats where appropriate and desired by the local community,
and to create an adopt-a-reef program.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii's nearshore fisheries are
in critical need of effective conservation, habitat enhancement,
and management measures, both to prevent failure of the fisheries
and to maintain the wise use of resources for future generations.
Scientific evidence based on commercial landings data from the
State, evaluated by federal agencies, have shown a decline in the
landings, catch rate, and revenues of some nearshore species.
The health of these populations are critical for sustenance and
recreational and commercial fishing as well as tourism.


 
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     Despite the State's responsibility for the protection,
restoration, and allocation of Hawaii's marine resources within
three miles of Hawaii's shoreline, however, your Committee finds
that the Department of Land and Natural Resources has been
reluctant and unable to take management action to prevent further
decline of these fisheries, citing the lack of adequate
scientific data to demonstrate a need for more funds and
management.  Your Committee therefore finds that there is a need
for a coordinated public and private sector effort to reverse
these declines and restore Hawaii's fish populations.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your
Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 73,
S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

                                 Respectfully submitted on behalf
                                 of the members of the Committee
                                 on Ways and Means,



                                 ________________________________
                                 CAROL FUKUNAGA, Co-Chair



                                 ________________________________
                                 ANDREW LEVIN, Co-Chair

 
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