On Friday, February 25, 2022 the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) approved the reopening of all bottomfish restricted fishing areas (BFRAs) which had been closed to fishing since 2007. Registered bottomfish vessels are now allowed to fish for deep-7 bottomfish in all previously closed BRFAs. In its presentation to the BLNR, the Division ...
Read More All bottomfish restricted fishing areas now open
The following bills are being tracked by DAR, and we are providing testimony on them. Click on the links provided to view the bill and its status. Interested parties are encouraged to provide their own testimony through the Hawaii State Legislature website. See the “Help and Information” links on the right side of the page, ...
Read More Aquatic Resource bills introduced in the 2022 State Legislature
The Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) will be hosting a virtual Holoholo fisher talk story session for interested fishers on Thursday, January 27 from 5:30-7:30 pm. Unlike past sessions for each island, this will be a statewide session to provide an update on proposed legislation for 2022 related to DAR and fishing. We will also ...
Read More Statewide fisher “talk story” session scheduled for Thursday, January 27 via Zoom
A bill passed by the 2021 State Legislature banning shark fishing will take effect January 1, 2022. Act 51 (House Bill 553) makes it illegal to knowingly capture, entangle, or kill a shark in state marine waters. The new law applies to all shark species found in Hawaiian waters. According to Brian Neilson, Division of ...
Read More Shark fishing ban goes into effect January 1
The Division of Aquatic Resources will be hosting a virtual public scoping meeting regarding the proposed management plan and rules for the Miloliʻi Community-based Subsistence Fishing Area (CBSFA) on December 16th 5:30-7:30p. Fishers and ocean users are encouraged to participate as there will be an overview presentation of the proposed area and regulations for the ...
Read More Scoping meeting scheduled for proposed Miloliʻi Community-based Subsistence Fishing Area
The Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) has scheduled a series of public scoping sessions for updates to the Statewide Herbivore Management Strategy. These updates include amendments to existing regulations and new proposed regulations. To ensure public health and safety during COVID-19 and increase opportunities for public participation, DAR is conducting three virtual public scoping sessions ...
Read More Public scoping meetings scheduled for herbivore management strategy
Rules pertaining to the Kahului Harbor Fisheries Management Area (FMA), Maui, and to the take and possession of ‘oama on Maui have been updated and take effect November 27, 2021. The new rule amendments for Kahului Harbor: Prohibit the use of all nets in the harbor with the exception of a “landing net” with a ...
Read More Changes to Maui fishing regulations for Kahului Harbor and ‘oama take effect Saturday, November 27
On October 1, 2021 the Department of Land and Natural Resources will implement a $250.00 fee for nonresident commercial marine licenses per Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) 13-74-20 which became effective August 27, 2021. The $100.00 fee for Hawaii residents remains the same. “HAR 13-74-1 (Definitions) defines a “resident” as “an individual that has established the ...
Read More Commercial Marine License fees for nonresidents will increase October 1
Rules for the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD) on O‘ahu’s North Shore are changing effective Friday, August 27. This follows Governor Ige’s approval of a measure that was passed by the Board of Land and Natural Resources June 10, 2021 following a lengthy public input process. The biggest rule change applies to the Kapoʻo ...
Read More New rules in effect Friday, August 27 for Pūpūkea ocean waters
E ala! E alu! E kuilima! Up! Together! Join hands! A call to come together to accomplish a given task. -Mary Kawena Pukui The Division of Aquatic Resources invites fishers to attend upcoming Holoholo Fisher Talk Story Sessions. Maui: August 24, 2021 @ 5:30-7:30p Moloka‘i: August 25, 20201 @ 5:30-7:30p Lāna‘i: August 26, 2021 @ ...
Read More Fishers invited to attend Holoholo Fisher Talk Story Sessions