Ocean Watch
By Susan Scott
Monday, March 2, 1998
Susan Scott is on vacation
Fishermen urge
House to act on billThe Department of Land and
By Lori Tighe
Natural Resources would govern
fisheries under the bill
Star-BulletinHawaii can't take care of its fish without its fishermen.
So say the fishermen who voiced their concerns yesterday about political stalling on a bill that would give the Department of Land and Natural Resources the ability to govern the state's fisheries.
Hawaii remains the only state in the nation that still governs its fisheries through laws passed by the Legislature, said Michael Wilson, chairman of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The rest of the country governs its fisheries through administrative rules set by departments such as the DLNR, he said.
"If we don't do something now to protect our disappearing fisheries, Hawaii will suffer big-time consequences," said Bob Endreson, a commercial and recreational fisherman.
The bill, wavering in front of House Rep. Terrance Tom, would transfer rule-making authority of the fisheries from the Legislature to the DLNR.
To change, repeal or add rules managing the fisheries, DLNR must give fishermen 30 days' notice and a chance for public comment.
Tom hears discussion on the bill again tomorrow.
"The bottom line is that fishermen will be involved in the process," Endreson said.
"Now, if the Legislature passes a law, we have no recourse.
"Fishermen aren't opposed to regulation; we're opposed to bad regulation where we don't have input," he said. "Fishermen can help interaction with scientists and regulators."
Critical policy issues, such as civil and criminal penalties, would still rightfully remain in the hands of the Legislature, Wilson said. However, laws that could be affected under the bill include regulating the minimum catch size of some fish, said Aulani Wilhelm, spokeswoman for DLNR.
The reason fisheries management still belongs to the Legislature today has to do with the lack of DLNR's focus to work with fishermen, Wilson said.
"We've realized in this crisis we need each other," he said. "We can't do it without the fishermen."
Gilbert Silva, who represents Kaneohe Bay fishermen, nodded to Wilson, "And we can't do it without you."
Silva said Kaneohe Bay fishermen want more consistent regulation because of outsiders unfairly competing in their waters.
Other laws potentially affected under the bill include net size and seasons for fishing.
ipThis bill doesn't give DLNR a magic wand to change the rules," Endreson said, "but it does give fishermen a chance to make changes. The health of our fisheries impact the economy, tourism and Hawaii's future."
Marine science writer Susan Scott's Ocean Watch column
appears Mondays in the Star-Bulletin. Contact her at honu@aloha.net.
