HI HCR8

Urges the Governor to issue a moratorium on the commercial take and sale of aquatic life for aquarium purposes from state waters.

Requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources adopt rules prohibiting commercial take and sale of aquatic life for aquarium purposes while allowing cultural, subsistence, and bona fide research or educational takes.

Urges the Hawaii State Legislature to enact a law prohibiting the taking of aquatic life for aquarium purposes without a permit, establish penalties for violations, and expand the West Hawaii Regional Fishery Management Area to include all West Hawaii coastal waters.

Cites Hawaii's $34 billion annual coral reef ecosystem value and the threat to endemic species and herbivorous fish essential for reef health from aquarium collection.

Emphasizes conflict between commercial aquarium collection and native Hawaiian cultural values, subsistence fishing rights, and the state constitutional duty to protect natural resources.