In an effort to facilitate compliance with the rules regulating the taking, possession and sale of Samoan crab, Kona crab, and lobsters in state waters, the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources has scheduled public hearings this month around the state, including one in Hilo and one in Kona.
Currently, these species are regulated under statutory provisions as well as multiple rule chapters. The proposed consolidation will place all regulations in one rule chapter.
The proposed actions will not result in any substantive changes to existing laws.
Hawaii Administrative Rules, chapters 13-84, relating to Samoan crab, and 13-89, relating to spiny lobster or ula and slipper lobster or ula papapa, would be repealed and their substantive provisions would be incorporated into chapter 13-95.
The Division of Aquatic Resources also proposes to incorporate into HAR chapter 13-95 the statutory provisions of Hawaii Revised Statutes (§188-58.5), which prohibit the taking or killing of female Samoan and Kona crabs and spiny lobsters.
Consolidating these rules into one rule chapter will facilitate compliance by making it easier to find all applicable regulations on these crustacean species, according to the DLNR. The take, possession, or sale of these resources will not be affected by these proposed administrative rule-making actions.
The two public hearings on the Big Island are:
• Kealakehe High School Cafeteria in Kailua-Kona, 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7
• Hilo State Building Conference Room, 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9.
People are encouraged to attend a public hearing to provide information and comment for the DLNR to consider.
Those unable to attend or who wish to provide additional
comments can submit written testimony via mail or e-mail by Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, to Division of Aquatic Resources, 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 330, Honolulu, HI 96813, or DLNR.aquatics@hawaii.gov.
Additional information or a copy of the proposed rules will be mailed at no charge upon receipt of verbal or written request to the DAR address or may be obtained from the DAR website at http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/DAR under the “Announcements” section.
