Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release August 14, 2015

NEW RULES FOR THE HA‘ENA COMMUNITY-BASED
SUBSISTENCE FISHING AREA TAKE EFFECT TODAY

HONOLULU —   New fishing rules for the first-ever Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area (CBSFA) in Ha‘ena, Kaua‘i, which Governor David Ige signed into law last week, take effect today.  The rules are aimed to preserve and protect fishing practices that are customarily and traditionally exercised for purposes of native Hawaiian subsistence, culture, and religion.

The rules prohibit the commercial take or sale of marine resources from within the boundaries of the Ha‘ena CBSFA, which encompass all marine waters of the Ha‘ena ahupua‘a from the shoreline out to one mile.  The rules also set new bag limits for species such as lobster, octopus, and urchins; prohibit the take of ‘opihi and other marine snails until December 1, 2017; and provide restrictions on the type of fishing gear and methods that may be used.  Allowed fishing methods include hand harvest, throw net, surround gill net, paipai net, scoop net, hook-and-line with up to two lines, and pole spear.  Lay gill nets and spear guns are prohibited.  

A public hearing on the draft rules was held on Kaua‘i on October 3, 2014, and the Board of Land and Natural Resources adopted the rules on October 24, 2014.  

The full details of the new rule, HAR 13-60.8, may be viewed online at: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/files/2015/08/ch60.8.pdf

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Media Contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public information specialist
Phone (808) 587-0320