HI SB1240

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit proposed legislation to the legislature by the 2019 regular session defining "sustainable," establishing a policy for sustainable collection practices of near shore aquatic life, and determining annual catch limits for the top forty species of near shore aquatic life.

Prohibits the Department of Land and Natural Resources from issuing any new aquarium fish permits to use fine meshed traps or fine meshed nets other than throw nets to take aquatic life.

Prohibits transfer of existing aquarium fish permits to other persons after July 1, 2022, and deems permits lapsed if not renewed for five or more consecutive years.

Allows current permit holders to continue renewing existing permits, but renewal is prohibited if the permit has not been renewed for five or more years immediately preceding the renewal application.

Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources to promote research and education on near shore aquatic life and work to increase aquatic life health and numbers to historical levels.