State hearings set to address lay-net fishing

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold public hearings this week on proposed rule changes for the use of lay nets (also known as gill nets) for fishing.

The proposed rules would:

» Ban all lay-net use around Maui and parts of Oahu.
» Ban lay-net use at night.
» Require lay nets to be registered.
» Limit net size and meshing.
» Limit the length of time the nets can be in the water unattended.

The affected portion of Oahu would be between Portlock Point and the Pearl Harbor channel, from Mokapu Peninsula to Bellows Air Force Base, and in Kaneohe Bay between the ship channels.

A copy of the proposed rule amendments can be requested from any Division of Aquatic Resources office or seen at www. hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar.

All meetings will begin at 6 p.m. The schedule:

Tomorrow:

» Hilo High School Cafeteria, 556 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo
» Lihikai School Cafeteria, 335 S. Papa Ave., Kahului
» Benjamin Parker Elementary School Cafeteria, 45-259 Waikalua Road, Kaneohe
» Liholiho Elementary School Cafeteria, 3430 Maunaloa Ave., Honolulu
» Leihoku Elementary School Cafeteria, 86-285 Leihoku St., Waianae

Wednesday:

» Kulana 'Oiwi, Kaunakakai, Molokai

Thursday:

» Big Game Fishing Club, Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua-Kona
» Wilcox Elementary School Cafeteria, 4319 Hardy St., Lihue
» Lanai Public and School Library, Lanai City

Comments on the proposed rules can also be e-mailed to dlnr@hawaii.gov, faxed to 587-0115, or mailed to DLNR, Division of Aquatic Resources, 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 330, Honolulu, HI 96813.