Gov. Ben Cayetano has signed into law a measure that bans shark feeding. Isle shark-feeding ban
signed into lawThe Legislature passes the proactive
bill with virtually no oppositionStar-Bulletin staff
The state Board of Land & Natural Resources told lawmakers that the legislation was unnecessary because the Department of Land & Natural Resources could take such action by passing rules.
But the Land Board did not oppose the premise of the bill.
William Devick, administrator of the Division of Aquatic Resources, said in a news release that there have been reports of people getting injured while feeding sharks in Hawaii, but none have been documented.
He said "attacks on people involved in feeding operations have been documented" on the mainland.
Devick said the new law takes a proactive approach "and prohibits such activities before they become established in Hawaii."
Act 127 bans feeding sharks in state waters while also prohibiting businesses from advertising or soliciting shark feeding. A violation is a petty misdemeanor. The law goes into effect July 1.
Exceptions to the act include shark feeding for "traditional Hawaiian cultural or religious practices" or accidental shark feeding.
The bill was passed by Legislature with virtually no opposition.
Florida passed a similar ban in November.
State of Hawaii
