SB 2642 Summary

• Prohibits any person from knowingly capturing, killing, or taking any shark within state marine waters, with misdemeanor penalties of $500 for first offense, $2,000 for second offense, and $10,000 for third or subsequent offense.

• Establishes administrative fines of up to $10,000 per shark violation and authorizes seizure and forfeiture of captured sharks, commercial marine licenses, vessels, and fishing equipment.

• Provides exemptions for special activity permits, research permits authorized by law, native Hawaiian gathering rights and traditional cultural practices, and department captures for public safety protection.

• Expands existing manta ray protection to cover all ray species within the subclass Elasmobranchii, with identical penalty structures as shark violations.

• Effective upon approval with no retroactive application to rights, penalties, or proceedings that occurred before the Act's effective date.