Division of Aquatic Resources

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold one statewide public hearing August 24, 2022 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on proposed amendments to Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) chapter 13-75 relating to rules regulating the possession and use of certain fishing gear, and chapter 13-60.4 relating to rules for the West Hawai‘i Regional Fishery Management Area, Hawai‘i.

The proposed amendments to modify HAR chapter 13-75 include:

• adding new definitions for “freshwater stream”, “multi-panel lay net”, and “throw net”;
• prohibiting the take of sharks with firearms;
• clarifying that akule may be taken with legal throw nets;
• removing the existing lay net registration requirement;
• establishing a lay net permit requirement and fee for the use and possession of lay nets;
• requiring gill nets and lay nets to be attended at all times;
• amending special lay net rules that apply to Moloka‘i;
• clarifying the authorized penalties for violations of HAR chapter 13-75; and
• providing notice of the State’s authority to utilize civil asset forfeiture as an enforcement tool for violations of HAR chapter 13-75.

The proposed amendments to modify HAR chapter 13-60.4 include:

• adding a new definition for “multi-panel lay net”;
• amending special lay net rules that apply to West Hawai‘i;
• requiring lay nets to be attended at all times;
• clarifying the authorized penalties for violations of HAR chapter 13-60.4; and
• providing notice of the State’s authority to utilize civil asset forfeiture as an enforcement tool for violations of HAR chapter 13-60.4.

In addition, the proposed rules include non-substantive technical amendments for formatting and style.

Click to view a short informational presentation with a detailed overview of the proposed changes.

Interested persons are urged to participate in the public hearing on August 24, 2022 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. to present relevant information and individual opinion for DLNR to consider. There are three ways to participate: online via internet or telephone; in-person at one of our host locations; or by written testimony.

Online: Persons can present live video/oral testimony via internet or telephone at the online public hearing on August 24, 2022 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. To participate, you will need a computer with internet access, video camera, and microphone, or a telephone. If you wish to testify via Zoom, please sign up no later than 1 hour prior to the hearing using this link. Please note that all fields are required to register to testify. Once you submit the virtual registration form, a confirmation will be sent to you with instructions and the meeting link and call-in number. If you do not receive an email with a Zoom link, please email [email protected] for assistance. If you do not sign up to testify at least one hour before the hearing, you will not be allowed to testify via Zoom; However, you may still provide oral testimony at one of the in-person host sites or you may also submit written testimony. If you do not wish to testify but want to watch the public hearing online, you can view the online public hearing here.

In-person at host sites: DLNR will set up remote host sites throughout the state where persons can attend in person to present live video/oral testimony via computer at the following locations:
• Moloka‘i: Kūlana ‘Ōiwi, 600 Maunaloa Highway, Kaunakakai 96748
• O‘ahu: DLNR – Kalanimoku Building, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 132, Honolulu 96813
• Kaua‘i: State Office Building, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 3060 ‘Eiwa Street, Līhu‘e 96766
• Big Island – Hilo: Wailoa Fisheries Research Station, 1160 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo 96720
• Maui: DAR Office, 130 Mahalani Street, Wailuku 96793
• Big Island – Kailua-Kona: DAR Office, 74-380B Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua-Kona 96740
• Lāna‘i: Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation Office, Mānele Small Boat Harbor, 12 Mānele Harbor Road, Lāna‘i City 96763

Written testimony: Persons can mail or email written testimony by September 9, 2022 to the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330, Honolulu, HI 96813, [email protected].

Anyone with a hearing impairment who desires to testify, may request assistance of a sign language interpreter. The request will need to be received at least seven days before the hearing is scheduled to start. Additional information or a copy of the proposed rules will be mailed at no charge upon receipt of verbal or written request. The requests may be made in writing (to the DAR address in the preceding paragraph), or by calling 587-0100 (voice or TDD) in Honolulu.

Download the draft amendments to HAR 13-75
Download the draft amendments to HAR 13-60.4