HI HCR249

Request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to post public signs informing people that shark feeding is illegal and to amend administrative rules to enforce shark feeding laws.

Request commercial shark tour operators to immediately cease all shark feeding activities in violation of state and federal law.

Request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to monitor commercial shark tour operations to ensure compliance with state law.

Transmit copies of the resolution to the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau for distribution to registered agents of Hawaii Shark Encounters Inc., North Shore Shark Adventures Inc., Hawaii Shark Discovery LLC, and Pacific Paradise Divers Inc.

Express concerns that illegal shark feeding by tour operators has increased shark sightings and interactions near diving sites, displaced smaller sharks, and disrespects native Hawaiian cultural beliefs regarding sharks as protective ancestral spirits.