DLNR Holds Molokai Meetings About Fishing Regulation Changes

DLNR Press Release 

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) invites Moloka‘i residents to participate in statewide public meetings to discuss possible regulations for certain marine fish species.

Meetings will focus on at least three main fish families that aquatic resources managers believe may be at risk of being over-harvested and in need of updated regulations. The species of concern are: Parrotfish (uhu), Goatfish (weke), and Jacks (ulua/papio).    

Discussion will also cover relevant species information, and various measures to regulate the harvesting of marine life that could improve the conditions of these fisheries.

DAR biologists would also like to discuss other methods to manage fisheries, including the use of daily bag limits.  No rule changes have yet been drafted.

Here is the meeting schedule:

Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mitchell Pau‘ole Center Conference Room,  Aiona Street and  Ala Malama Avenue,  Kaunakakai.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kilohana Community Center,  334-A1 Kamehameha V Highway, Kaunakakai.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kualapu‘u Community Center, at the end of Uwao St, behind the Kualapu‘u Store.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Maunaloa Community Center, 140 Maunaloa Road.

Public meetings have already been held in Hilo, Kona, Maui, Lana‘i, O‘ahu and Kaua‘i.

The Division has posted on its website several reports on the outcomes of the first round of public meetings (held in January through March this year), the results of mail surveys, and other pertinent information.  

Interested parties may find these useful for the upcoming meetings.  The website address:  http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/announcements.html#pubmeetings.
 
“Earlier this year we held a previous round of meetings to present information on these fishes, and we listened to the public’s concerns and suggestions regarding them,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR Chairperson.

“The comments we received, along with results from mail-in surveys, are assisting the Division of Aquatic Resources toward the eventual development of draft rules that would support the conservation of our marine fishery resources while balancing the needs of recreational, subsistence and commercial fishermen,” she said.

For more information contact DAR offices on: Maui (808) 243-5294; or Moloka‘i at (808) 567-6696 or (808) 553-3778.