HI HCR131

Urges the President of the United States to deny any request to expand the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument beyond its current boundaries.

Opposes expansion of the monument from fifty miles offshore to two hundred miles offshore, citing potential annual losses of $10,000,000 in ex-vessel value for Hawaii's long-line fishery and $30,000,000 loss to retail seafood markets.

Argues that existing protections already cover twenty-three percent of waters surrounding Hawaiian Islands, exceeding the twenty percent global marine protected area standard, and expansion would increase no-take areas to sixty-seven percent of the exclusive economic zone.

Contends that expansion would harm Hawaii's fishing industry, including seventeen bottomfish permits, indigenous native Hawaiian fishing communities, wholesalers, retailers, and related service providers.

States that existing county, state, and federal management regimes provide comprehensive protection for marine ecosystems and that large open ocean protected areas do not buffer against climate change effects.