HONOLULU – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposes to change the scope of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by increasing its size, expanding from a sanctuary that manages only humpback whales to one that manages all natural and cultural resources within its boundaries, and changing its name. A news announcement was made yesterday.
Aquatic Resources
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCESNews Release DAVID Y. IGEGOVERNOR CARTY CHANGINTERIM CHAIRPERSON For Immediate News Release March 24, 2015 HUMPBACK WHALE CARCASS TOWED OUT TO SEA KAHULUI ...
Read More 03/24/15 – Humpback Whale Carcass Towed Out To Sea
HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources and county lifeguards closed Hapuna Beach State Park today following an incident just before noon, in which a 58 year old male visitor was bit by a shark while snorkeling in the ocean near the south point of the park. He was taken to a local hospital.
LIHU‘E – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) announces an open fishing season for rainbow trout in the Koke‘e Public Fishing Area (PFA) on Kaua‘i, beginning Saturday, June 20, 2015.
HISAW Kaneohe Bay Invasive Algae Control Project
HONOLULU – Two weeks after scientists announced that many coral colonies in Kaneohe Bay were showing signs of recovery from a fall 2014 bleaching event, reefs there are now facing a new threat. The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) and the US Geological Survey (USGS) are investigating the presence of a disease called Acute Montipora White Syndrome (aMWS). It was first detected on patch reefs in the bay within the past few weeks.
HONOLULU – In order to try and prevent potential resource damage and to ensure that any damage is repaired, the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) and Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) are closely monitoring the salvage operation of a Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) vessel that grounded in Lahaina Harbor on Monday.
HONOLULU – Many of the coral colonies around the Main Hawaiian Islands, impacted by a late 2014 bleaching event are showing signs of recovery. Bleaching is a stress response, which causes corals to lose algae and color from their tissue, making them appear snow white. The fall bleaching of corals in 2014; mostly in shallow waters off Oahu, Kauai, and Maui was caused when sea temperatures spiked at 86 degrees.
KANEOHE – A Kaneohe fisherman was found guilty of two lay net fishing violations on Jan. 8, 2015 at Kaneohe District Court and was sentenced to 7 days jail and the court ordered his nets seized.
HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) announces the closing of the Waikiki-Diamond Head Shoreline Fisheries Management Area, O‘ahu, to fishing for one year beginning Jan. 1, 2015, and ending Dec.31, 2015.