HB 2958 Summary

• Prohibits the Board from issuing new permits or permits for expansion and transfer of open water commercial finfish mariculture facilities in state waters.

• Permits issued before the Act's effective date remain valid but are non-transferrable to other persons or entities.

• Applies to placement, installation, use, and operation of finfish mariculture facilities for commercial propagation and rearing of finfish species for profit in state waters.

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 190D to add definition of "open water commercial finfish mariculture facility" and exclude commercial finfish aquaculture from the definition of "mariculture."

• Cites environmental, cultural, and economic concerns with open water finfish operations and directs focus toward land-based, closed-loop recirculating aquaculture systems as safer alternatives.