HI HB998

Federal government determined in late 1990s that certain bottomfish were being overfished around main Hawaiian islands, prompting the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt bottomfish restricted fishing areas and administrative rules.

Department reduced the number of bottomfish restricted fishing areas in 2007 but increased the total spatial area covered by these restrictions.

Bottomfish subject to Hawaii Administrative Rules are no longer being overfished and restrictions lack validated scientific basis for continuation.

Department of Natural Resources must allow bottomfish fishing in six of the existing bottomfish restricted fishing areas where restrictions are not supported by scientific evidence of environmental necessity.

Department must amend administrative rules on bottomfish management to require that any fishing area restrictions be based on scientific evidence of environmental necessity.