HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1751

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO AQUATIC RESOURCES.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that marine managed areas are effective tools for preserving Hawaii's nearshore resources.  The department of land and natural resources defines a marine managed area as any area of the marine environment established by law or regulation to protect or enhance part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein.  Studies of similar areas in Hawaii and worldwide have shown large increases in biomass, density, size, and diversity of marine organisms in the area. Marine managed areas promote healthy diverse ecosystems, which are more likely to survive disturbances caused by people, weather, or climate-related changes.  In a study of sixty fishing sites in the main Hawaiian islands, no-take areas had over twice the biomass, higher diversity, and larger fish than partially protected and open access sites.  Marine managed areas have also been shown to result in sustainable fisheries, to promote marine education and recreation, and to stimulate the economy through ecotourism and education.  Marine managed areas, particularly those that contain healthy coral ecosystems, can be critical in increasing protection against natural hazards by reducing wave energy and buffering shorelines against waves, storms, and floods, and helping to prevent loss of life, property damage, and erosion.  When reefs are damaged or destroyed, the loss of this natural barrier can significantly increase damage to coastal communities from wave action and violent storms.  Marine managed areas are an essential tool in the State's commitment to actively combat climate change and sea level rise, and to protect the State's economies and coastal communities.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of land and natural resources to establish a network of marine managed areas to protect Hawaii's marine resources and effectively manage thirty per cent of the State's nearshore resources by 2030.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 188, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§188-    Designation of marine managed areas.  (a)  The department of land and natural resources, through its division of aquatic resources, shall designate a network of marine managed areas and carry out marine management strategies for such areas for the purpose of preserving the State's nearshore marine resources.  The department shall adopt administrative rules pursuant to chapter 91 to designate and manage marine managed areas.

     (b)  The network of marine managed areas shall consider and may include, but not be limited to, no-take areas and herbivore replenishment areas or other marine management designations, in areas identified to provide the most benefit to the State's nearshore marine resources.  The location of the areas to be designated as marine managed areas shall be based on the most relevant statistical data and reports and stakeholder input.

     (c)  When designating a network of marine managed areas and carrying out marine management strategies for such areas, the department shall consider and provide for the preservation of traditional and customary native Hawaiian practices.

     (d)  The department of land and natural resources shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session in 2019, 2020, 2025, and 2030 on its progress towards the goal of effective management of thirty per cent of the State's nearshore resources by 2030 to help ensure the survival of Hawaii's nearshore ecosystems for future generations.

     (e)  For the purposes of this section:

     "No-take area" means an area that is closed to all taking of aquatic life.

     "Herbivore replenishment area" means an area that is closed to the taking of herbivorous fish."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on December 24, 2088.



 

Report Title:

Marine Managed Areas; Department of Land and Natural Resources

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources, through its Division of Aquatic Resources, to establish a network of marine managed areas in areas identified to provide the most benefit to the State's nearshore marine resources.  (HB1751 HD2)

 

 

 

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