Public hearings scheduled on proposed rule to regulate sea cucumber harvest
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold public hearings on the proposed adoption of a new chapter under the Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) relating to the harvest of sea cucumbers from state waters. The proposed new rules would prohibit the harvest of sea cucumbers for commercial consumption purposes, but allow limited take for personal non-commercial use. The proposed rules also establish an annual season for the commercial aquarium harvest of two species of sea cucumbers on Oahu only. While the season is open, licensed aquarium collectors may harvest up to twenty sea cucumbers per person per day. The aquarium season will close when the total annual aquarium catch limit of 3,600 sea cucumbers is reached.
The hearings will be held at the following times and locations:
Monday, November 9, 2015
MAUI – Lihikai School, Kahului, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
MOLOKAI – Mitchel Pauole Center Conference Room, Kaunakakai, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
OAHU – Stevenson Middle School Cafeteria, Honolulu, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
HILO – Hawaii County Aupuni Center Conference Room, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
KONA – Kealakehe High School Cafeteria, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
LANAI – Lanai Public Library, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
KAUAI – Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Cafeteria, Lihue, 5:30-8:30 p.m
All interested persons are urged to attend a public hearing to present relevant information and individual opinion for the DLNR to consider. Persons unable to attend or wishing to present additional comments, may mail written testimony by Friday, November 20, 2015 to the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330, Honolulu, HI 96813.
Anyone with a hearing impairment who desires to attend the public hearing may request assistance of a sign language interpreter. The request may be made in writing (to the DAR address in the preceding paragraph), or by calling 587-0100 (voice or TDD) in Honolulu. The request will need to be received at least seven days before the hearing is scheduled to start. Additional information or a copy of the proposed rules will be mailed at no charge upon receipt of verbal or written request to the DAR address.