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 October 3, 2013

DLNR CONDUCTS PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS ON
PROPOSED MAUI AND LANAI FISHERIES RULE CHANGES

Changes to bag and size limits proposed

KAHULUI –The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) is holding several public information meetings in Maui County this month to discuss proposed rule changes for Maui and Lanai fisheries bag and size limits.

The changes will consist of bag and size limits for several popular nearshore fish including goatfish, parrotfish (uhu), and Jacks (ulua/papio). In addition to the various bag and size limits, the proposed rules will also include a bag limit of no more than two uhu and prohibitions on the take of blue male uhu for the two large species, and slot limits for ‘omilu. Draft rules are posted on the DAR website at https://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar under “What’s New.”

The DLNR is holding these meetings to explain what is being proposed, how these proposals were developed and what is the process moving forward. “Successful resource management requires participation from the public and we want them to know exactly what is being proposed and how they can get involved in the rule making process,” explained Frazer McGilvray, Administrator of the Division of Aquatic Resources.

The meetings are scheduled as follows:
Oct. 10, 2013, in Hana at Helene Hall from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Oct.15, 2013, in Lanai City at the Lanai Senior Center from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Oct. 16, 2013, in Kahului at Maui Waena School Cafe from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Russell Sparks, DAR Maui aquatic biologist, will explain the proposed rule changes. Public hearings will be announced at a later date.

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For more information, news media may contact:  

Deborah Ward, 
DLNR Public Information Specialist  
Phone: (808) 587-0320