HI SR157

Request that the Department of Land and Natural Resources adopt administrative rules prohibiting vessels from exceeding 15 knots when within 1,000 yards of a humpback whale, and 6 knots when within 400 yards of a humpback whale.

Require vessel operators to designate another person as a lookout to prevent collisions with humpback whales when within 1,000 yards, and to operate vessels in a reasonable and prudent manner to avoid collisions.

Apply speed restrictions and lookout requirements only to non-inter-island and non-intra-island vessels as defined in Hawaii Administrative Rules section 19-41-2.

Exclude barges from any adopted rules regulating vessel speed near humpback whales.

Base recommendations on 2022 voluntary guidelines released jointly by the Pacific Whale Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the State of Hawaii.