Shark Fishing in Hawaiian Waters is Now Banned
Hawaii has become the first U.S. state to make it illegal to capture, entangle, or kill any species of shark.
Hawaii has become the first U.S. state to pass a bill that bans shark fishing.
House Bill 553 was signed into law by Governor David Ige on World Oceans Day last year and went into effect on January 1, 2022. Under the new rules, it is now illegal to knowingly capture, entangle, or kill a shark in state marine waters.
This is not the first time Hawaii has led the way when it comes to protecting sharks. In another state first, Hawaii banned the sale, trade, distribution, and possession of shark fins in 2010.
With this new bill, offenders will be subject to hefty fines. $500 for a first offense, $2000 for a second offense, and $10,000 for a third and any subsequent offenses. Violators of the rule may also face the seizure of their commercial marine licenses, vessels, and fishing equipment, as well as additional administrative fines of up to $10,000 per shark.
“Our Department is well aware of how important sharks are to maintain healthy marine ecosystems. And we recognize their importance for native Hawaiian cultural practices and beliefs,” said Brian Neilson of Hawaii’s Division of Aquatic Resources. Nielsen also pointed out that although the new law is now in place the Department of Land and Resources (DLNR) “still has work to do before it’s fully implemented.”
As apex predators, sharks play a vital role in ocean ecosystems and function as indicators of ocean health, but due to the industrial fishing industry, many shark populations are in steep decline. The new law will help protect and conserve sharks in Hawaiian waters by banning the capturing or killing of sharks unless it’s for public safety purposes. Additional exemptions include those who act in self-defense and those with a DLNR special activity permit. According to Act 51, the conditions of the permit “shall include native Hawaiian cultural protocol, size and species restrictions, and a prohibition on species listed as endangered or threatened.”
The DLNR is also urging fishers to avoid areas that are known to be frequented by sharks, especially pupping areas, and might implement restrictions that will limit fishing gear, such as gill nets, in areas that have been identified as shark nursery habitats.
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