S.B. 489 - Shark and Ray Protection

• Prohibits knowingly capturing, taking, possessing, abusing, entangling, or killing sharks in state marine waters with penalties of $500 for first offense, $2,000 for second offense, and $10,000 for third or subsequent offense.

• Expands existing manta ray protections to cover all ray species with identical penalty structure and adds provisions for taking, possessing, and abusing rays beyond capture and killing.

• Imposes additional administrative fines up to $10,000 per shark or ray violated, plus seizure and forfeiture of captured animals, commercial marine licenses, vessels, and fishing equipment.

• Exempts special activity permits, research permits not exceeding biological removal levels, DLNR actions for public safety, federally managed fisheries, and self-defense situations.

• Preserves traditional and customary Native Hawaiian rights under the Hawaii State Constitution and takes effect July 1, 2019.