Public meetings scheduled on proposal to establish a Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area for the North Coast of Moloka‘i

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold public scoping meetings to discuss a proposal to establish a Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area (CBSFA) along the north coast of Moloka‘i. The proposed CBSFA extends from ‘Īlio Point in the west to Kaholaiki Bay in the east, from the shoreline out to one nautical mile. The proposal, which was submitted to DLNR by Hui Malama O Mo‘omomi, seeks to ensure the abundance and availability of marine resources to support traditional subsistence fishing practices. DLNR is seeking public comments on proposed regulations, which would establish new bag limits, size limits, gear restrictions, and seasonal protections for certain fish and invertebrate species, and prohibit the commercial take of marine resources within the CBSFA.

Three meetings will be held at the following times and locations:

Thursday, March 16, 2017
Kulana ‘Ōiwi Halau, 600 Mauna Loa Highway, Kaunakakai, Moloka‘i from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Mitchell Pau‘ole Center Conference Room, 90 Ainoa Street, Kaunakakai, Moloka‘i from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Kawananakoa Middle School Cafeteria, 49 Funchal Street, Honolulu, O‘ahu from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Maui Waena Intermediate School Cafeteria, 795 Onehe‘e Avenue, Kahului, Maui from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

All interested persons are urged to attend one of the public meetings to learn more about the proposal and provide input. Persons unable to attend or wishing to present additional comments, may mail written testimony by Wednesday, April 12, 2017 to the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 330, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Anyone with a hearing impairment who desires to attend the public meeting may request assistance of a sign language interpreter. The request may be made in writing (to the DAR address in the preceding paragraph), or by calling 587-0100 (voice or TDD) in Honolulu. The request will need to be received at least seven days before the hearing is scheduled to start.

The following pdf documents can be downloaded for review:

Summary table of Mo‘omomi CBSFA rules and maps (3 MB)
Mo‘omomi CBSFA full proposal (updated March 2017, as submitted to DAR, 16 MB)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)