HI SCR173

Urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to assess the environmental impact of jug line fishing in Hawaii and adopt administrative rules under Chapter 91, HRS, to address any concerns identified.

Jug line fishing involves deploying unattended floating devices with baited hooks that passively fish large areas, posing risks to non-target species including sharks, green sea turtles, Hawaiian monk seals, and hawksbill sea turtles.

Cites the September 2025 death of RS34 (Moana), a two-year-old female Hawaiian monk seal, caused by entanglement in jug line fishing gear as evidence of the practice's harm to protected wildlife.

Notes that lost or abandoned jug line gear becomes persistent marine debris that pollutes coastal areas, damages coral reefs, and continues to threaten marine life through entanglement for years.

Directs a certified copy of the resolution to be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.