On January 12, 2021 Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Crabtree ruled that all commercial aquarium fishing is completely banned in the State of Hawaiʻi, unless and until the aquarium fishing industry has completed the Chapter 343 environmental review process. The ruling was made in response to a request by aquarium fishing opponents. Anyone who takes ...
Read More Commercial fishers notified that all aquarium collection is banned
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold a statewide online public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD), O‘ahu. The amendment modifies the existing Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) to reflect the accurate coordinates of DAR’s jurisdiction and boundary descriptions by including the Kapo‘o tidepool area; clarify ...
Read More Public hearing scheduled for January 19 on proposed rule changes to Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District, O‘ahu
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold a statewide online public hearing January 21, 2021 on the proposed amendment of Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) §13-74, License and Permit Provisions and Fees for Fishing, Fish, and Fish Products. The primary amendment would modify HAR §13-74-20 (Commercial marine license) to increase the Commercial Marine ...
Read More Public hearing scheduled for January 21 on proposal to increase non-resident Commercial Marine License fees
DLNR News Release, November 30, 2020 DLNR RESPONSE TO LATEST COURT RULING ON AQUARIUM FISHING IN HAWAI‘I (HONOLULU) –The Department of Land and Natural Resources is taking immediate steps to comply with a new order issued late Friday from the First Circuit Court, requiring Chapter 343 environmental review for issuance of new or renewed annual ...
Read More Update of court rulings regarding aquarium fishing: issuing and renewing commercial marine licenses temporarily suspended
O‘ahu commercial fishers (not longline fishers) can apply for the Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund for a new maximum of $5,000 of qualified expenses. This is a reimbursement grant; proof of purchase must be submitted with the application. Previously approved applicants can reapply for items not on their original application but total combined cannot ...
Read More Financial assistance program reopened for O‘ahu commercial fishers
The Division of Aquatic Resources will request approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources, at its November 13 meeting, to hold public hearings to amend HAR 13-74 to increase the commercial marine license (CML) fee for non-residents of Hawai‘i from its current $100 to $250 per year. The proposed amendments also make a ...
Read More Proposal to increase non-resident Commercial Marine License fees
CARES Act applications are now available through the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission website. Applications must be submitted to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission by Nov. 23, 2020. Interested applicants must review the Hawai‘i spend plan to determine their eligibility. At a minimum, applicants must be able to claim: Economic revenue losses greater than ...
Read More Update on CARES Act funding for Hawai‘i’s commercial fishing industry (updated Nov 5) – Applications now available
The Division of Aquatic Resources encourages interested people to sign up to participate in statewide herbivore management virtual scoping meetings. You can be part of the discussion to better protect our reefs by participating in these meetings for statewide herbivore management. Ten virtual scoping meetings will be held via Zoom® starting in November. There will be two ...
Read More Statewide scoping meetings for herbivore management
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the State of Hawaii have published an updated management plan for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The management plan guides the sanctuary to protect humpback whales and their marine habitat through conservation, research, education, and outreach. For more information, visit this NOAA site. You ...
Read More Whale sanctuary management plan available
O‘ahu commercial fishers may be eligible for financial assistance from the Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund through the City & County of Honolulu. See this flyer for details. For information about assistance with language interpretation or computer skills, click here.