DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

News Release

LINDA LINGLE

GOVERNOR

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LAURA H. THIELEN, CHAIRPERSON

Phone: (808) 587-0401

Fax: (808) 587-0390

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release: November 20, 2007

DLNR To Conduct Public Meetings
On Proposed Changes
To Rules For Bottomfish Management And
Licenses And Permits

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold public information meetings to discuss proposed changes to administrative rules on bottomfish management (chapter 13-94) and licenses and permits (chapter 13-74).

“These proposed changes are needed to address the current determination that overfishing is occurring for bottomfish species in the main Hawaiian Islands,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson.

“Overfishing has been determined by NOAA Fisheries, and we have been working with them in order to more efficiently manage those fisheries and to facilitate enforcement of federal and state regulations,” Thielen said.

Following is the schedule of public meetings:

O‘ahu:	Tues. Nov. 27	Kapolei Middle School cafeteria, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
O‘ahu:	Thurs. Nov. 29	Windward Community College, Hale ‘Akoakoa, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Hawai‘i:	Mon. Dec. 3	Waiakea High School cafeteria, Hilo, 6-9 p.m.
Hawai‘i:	Tues. Dec. 4	Kealakehe High School cafeteria, Kona, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Lana‘i:	Tues. Dec. 4	Lana‘i High School cafeteria, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Maui:	Wed. Dec. 5	Lihikai School cafeteria, Kahului, 6-9 p.m.
Moloka‘i:	Thurs. Dec. 6	Mitchell Pau‘ole Center conference room, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
O‘ahu:	Thurs. Dec. 6	Washington Intermediate School cafeteria, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Kaua‘i:	Thurs. Dec. 13	Wilcox Elementary School cafeteria, 6-9 p.m.

DLNR proposes to amend Hawai‘i Administrative Rule (HAR) Chapter 13-74, License and Permit Provisions and Fees for Fishing, Fish and Fish Products, to require:
- fishing reports by trip,
- non-commercial bottomfish registration, reporting and compliance; and
- commercial bottomfish licensees to report by trip.

DLNR also proposes to amend HAR chapter 13-94 to:

- authorize fishing season closures for bottomfish;
- require non-commercial bottomfish registration, reporting and compliance;
- exempt the possession and sale of bottomfish during closed season for fish from federal waters of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, or from waters under federal jurisdiction, or for bottomfish that are imported into the State;
- amend the bag limit for non-commercial take of bottomfish;
- add definitions;
- allow the possession of Kona crab nets on bottomfishing vessels; and
- repeal a requirement for restricted fishing area evaluation.

For additional information on the proposed rule changes, updates to meeting dates/times/locations, and a rule summary, go to the Division of Aquatic Resources’ website at www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar or call any Division of Aquatic Resources office.

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For more information, media may contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320