HB 553 Summary

• Prohibits intentionally or knowingly capturing, entangling, or killing sharks in state marine waters, effective January 1, 2022.

• Establishes misdemeanor penalties with fines of $500 for first offense, $2,000 for second offense, and $10,000 for third or subsequent offense.

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

• Exempts special activity permits, DLNR actions for public safety, federally managed fisheries, self-defense situations, and permitted non-commercial takes by Native Hawaiians.

• Authorizes DLNR to adopt rules preventing incidental capture violations, limiting gear like gill nets in shark nursery habitats, and issuing permits for non-commercial shark takes with cultural protocol and species restrictions.