Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

NEIL ABERCROMBIE GOVERNOR

WILLIAM J. AILA JR, CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release September 24, 2014

BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONSIDER
ADOPTING NEW RULES FOR MAUI FISHING BAG AND SIZE LIMITS.

HONOLULU —   The Board of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) on Friday will consider approval of new fishing rules that would establish new bag and size limits for uhu (parrotfish) and goatfish on the island of Maui only. 

The changes will consist of bag and size limits for several popular nearshore fish including goatfish and parrotfish (uhu). The proposed rules will include a bag limit of no more than two uhu and prohibitions on the take of blue male uhu for the two large species. There will also be bag limits for these popular goatfish: kumu (no more than one), and moano kea and munu (no more than two).

“The Division of Aquatic Resources strongly supports this rule package. It is based on more than five years’ research on the biology and ecology of these fishes, and population data that indicate management is required now,” said Frazer McGilvray, Division of Aquatic Resources Administrator.

Public hearings on the draft rules were held on Maui and Lanai between November 19-21, 2013. 

Draft rules for jacks and other fishes, and proposed rule changes for Lanai were removed from these proposed amendments. The Division of Aquatic Resources will work with the Lanai community to develop rule changes in the near future.

The Division of Aquatic Resources presented a summary of the proposed rules as a non-decision making item at the Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting on September 12, 2014. The board will now decide whether to adopt the proposed rules at its meeting on Friday, September 26, 2014.

The draft rule may be reviewed online at

Home

Anyone wishing to provide comments/testimony on these proposed rules may do so by following these instructions:

Written testimony may be submitted in one of the following ways:
                  Fax: (808) 587-0390  Attn: Board Members
                  Email: [email protected]

Written testimony must be received prior to the Sept. 26, 2014 board meeting for board members’ consideration prior to decision-making.  

Oral testimony may be presented on the day of the Land Board meeting.  If possible, please provide a written summary of your testimony to the board when approaching the board to present oral testimony.

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Media Contact:

Dan Dennison
DLNR Senior Communications Manager
(808) 587-407 

Russell Sparks
Maui Aquatic Biologist
(808) 243-5294