HI HR6

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

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

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

Cites concerns that collection for aquarium trade devastates indigenous and endemic species, threatens critical ecosystem services (herbivorous fish protecting corals), and undermines native Hawaiian cultural values and subsistence fishing practices.

Directs certified copies of the resolution to be transmitted to the Governor, Board of Land and Natural Resources, Senate President, House Speaker, House Finance Committee Chair, and all county mayors.