HI SB2848

Requires any department of land and natural resources rules regulating bottomfish fishing to be supported by peer-reviewed scientific evidence and current stock status data showing environmental necessity for the regulation.

Declares any bottomfish regulation that does not comply with scientific evidence requirements to be void and unenforceable.

Applies federal annual catch limits for bottomfish in the absence of state regulations, and requires any coordinated state-federal management system to comply with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976.

Defines "bottomfish" to include seven species: onaga, ehu, kalekale, ōpakapaka, ūkikiki/gindai, hāpuʻu/Hawaiian grouper, and lehi/rusty jobfish.

Takes effect March 15, 2099.