Opponents of shark feeding are cheering a bill passed by lawmakers that could force boat owners caught in the act to give up their vessels.

The bill does not create new laws against shark feeding, only additional penalties for current ones.

If Gov. Linda Lingle signs House Bill 2583 or allows it to become law without her signature, feeding sharks in state waters will be punishable by a fine of between $5,000 and $15,000 and include the possible forfeiture of the vessel.

Supporters of the bill believe the stiffer penalties will curb shark feeding by tour operators to attract the animals. They said feeding sharks trains them to approach boats and endangers the public.

Edwin Ebisui Jr., a Haleiwa resident and recreational fisherman, said sharks swim up to vessels off the North Shore regularly, having grown accustomed to tour companies feeding them.

He said sharks regularly swarm his vessel, eating his bait so he can no longer fish. “;Everybody's really frustrated,”; he said.

Two North Shore tour operators were unavailable for comment yesterday, but they have said they feed sharks in federal waters for shark research, which is legal.

Mahina Chillingsworth of the surfing group Hui o Hee Nalu said the bill will discourage the companies from operating in state waters.

Current state law makes feeding sharks a petty misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine.

“;This is a whole new ballgame,”; Chillingsworth said. “;They're going to have to watch their butt.”;

This legislative session, lawmakers looked at seven bills aimed at ending or restricting shark tours. Failed bills sought to ban tours that feed sharks, outlaw the use of cages for people to get closer to sharks and block the use of state harbors and parks for the tours.

State Sen. Clayton Hee, chairman of the Water, Land, Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs Committee, said lawmakers heard from both sides, with opponents accusing tour operators of feeding sharks and operators saying they do not attract them with food, but with electronic signals.

Rather than ban shark tours, lawmakers decided to discourage illegal feeding with hefty fines.

“;The tours have indicated that they don't chum, so the bill itself shouldn't be a concern to them,”; Hee said, referring to the practice of luring animals with fish parts.

He said one shark tour company is still being investigated for illegally feeding sharks.