STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2905

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 1947
                                        H.D. 2
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was
referred H.B. No. 1947, H.D. 2, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FISHERIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to limit the possession,
sale, or trade of shark fins unless the fins were taken from a
shark landed whole in the State.

     Testimony in favor of this measure was submitted by the
Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Office of Hawaiian
Affairs, Kaho`olawe Island Reserve Commission, National Audubon
Society, Sierra Club, Hawai`i Chapter, Hawaii Fisherman's
Foundation, and two individuals.  The Western Pacific Regional
Fishery Management Council, and Hawaii Boaters Political Action
Association testified in opposition.  The Environmental Center,
University of Hawai`i at Manoa presented comments.

     Your Committee has heard considerable testimony regarding
shark finning, and acknowledges the many and varied concerns
expressed.  Your Committee notes that a previous concern has been
addressed by exempting vessels that do not off load cargo in the
State or its territorial waters and finds that this measure would
address an issue of ongoing controversy in a balanced manner.

     Your Committee has amended this measure to make technical,
nonsubstantive amendments.

 
a                                                     HB1947 SD1
                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2905
                                   Page 2


     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this
report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose
of H.B. No. 1947, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that
it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as
H.B. No. 1947, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee
on Water, Land, and Hawaiian Affairs.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Economic
                                   Development,



                                   ______________________________
                                   LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

 
a                                                     HB1947 SD1