True Lawaia

Bottomfish species covered by these rules include: ‘ula‘ula koa‘e or onaga (Etelis coruscans); ‘ula‘ula or ehu (Etelis carbunculus); kalekale (Pristipomoides sieboldii); ‘opakapaka (Pristipomoides filamentosus); ‘ukikiki or gindai (Pristipomoides zonatus); hapu‘u (Epinephelus quernus); and lehi (Aphareus rutilans)

Closed season
Unlawful to fish for or possess bottomfish during the period from May 1-Sep 30, 2007 and May 1-Aug 31, 2008. Closed seasons shall be modified in accordance and congruent with any announced federal closed season.

Gear restrictions
Unlawful to take bottomfish with any trap, trawl, bottomfish longline or net. Scoop nets may be used to bring on board a vessel any bottomfish that has already been caught. Unlawful to possess, while on board a vessel, both bottomfish and any trap, trawl, bottomfish longline, or net other than scoop net.

Non-commercial bag limits
Unlawful for any person without a current commercial marine license to take or possess more than a total of five onaga, ehu, or combination of both.

Bottomfish restricted fishing areas
Unlawful for any person to take or possess bottomfish while in a vessel that is drifting or anchored within any bottomfish restricted fishing area as indicated on this map, except in times of emergency.

Bottomfish fishing vessel identification number
Unlawful for any person to take or possess bottomfish while on a vessel without registering the vessel with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and obtaining a bottomfish fishing vessel identification number.

• If a vessel has an HA number or NMFS Federal fishing permit number that is current and properly displayed, the letters “BF” must be added about amidships, either on the sides of the hull or the superstructure. Letters must be no less than six inches high and three inches wide in black or a contrasting solid color to the background.

• If a vessel has a US Coast Guard documentation number but is not a Federal fishing permittee, the documentation number must displayed on the sides of the hull or superstructure, followed by the letters “BF.” Numbers and letters must be no less than six inches high and three inches wide in black or a contrasting solid color to the background.

• If a vessel has a federal fishing permit number already displayed, add the capital letters “BF” as a suffix. The “BF” letters must be no less than six inches high and three inches wide in black or a contrasting solid color to the background.

Coordinates of bottomfish restricted fishing areas (BRFAs)
The geographic boundaries of all BRFAs are defined by parallels of latitude (north and south boundaries) and meridians of longitude (west and east boundaries). The inshore boundary of all areas is given as a minimum distance from shore in nautical miles.

Geographic boundaries
(North, South, West, East sides; inshore boundary)
(Click on the links for pdf maps)

BRFA A: Ka‘ula Rock
North: 21°44’ N South: 21°41’ N
West: 160°39’ W East: 160°30’ W
Offshore distance: 1.25 nm

BRFA B: Ni‘ihau
North: 21°50’25” N South: 21°46’30” N
West: 160°07’30” W East: 160°04’30” W
Offshore distance: 2.0 nm

BRFA C: Kaua‘i
North: 21°52’30” N South: 21°50’30” N
West: 159°32’ W East: 159°23’ W
Offshore distance: 0.5 nm

BRFA D: O‘ahu
North: 21°39’ N South: 21°36’18” N
West: 158°17’10”’ W East: 158°15’ W
Offshore distance: 1.5 nm

BRFA E: O‘ahu
North: 21°25’ N South: 21°17’ N
West: 157°37’47”’ W East: 157°32’ W
Offshore distance: 1.5 nm

BRFA F: Penguin Bank
North: 21°02’ N South: 20°55’ N
West: 157°34’ W East: 157°22’ W
Offshore distance: 5.0 nm

BRFA G: Moloka‘i
North: 21°14’ N South: 21°10’ S
West: 156°58’ W East: 156°52’ W
Offshore distance: 0.25 nm

BRFA H: Moloka‘i-Maui
North: 21°07’ N South: 21°03’ N
West: 156°42’ W East: 156°38’ W
Offshore distance: 1.5 nm

BRFA J: Maui
North: 20°55’ N South: 20°47’ N
West: 156°08’ W East: 155°59’ W
Offshore distance: 0.5 nm

BRFA K: Hawai‘i
North: 20°21’ N South: 20°05’30” N
West: 155°53’ W East: 155°25’ W
Offshore distance: 0.5 nm

BRFA L: Hawai‘i
North: 19°44’ N South: 19°35’ N
West: 154°55’02” W East: 154°54’ W
Offshore distance: 0.15 nm

BRFA M: Hawai‘i
North: 18°54’13” N South: 18°51’ N
West: 155°41’ W East: 155°37’ W
Offshore distance: 0.5 nm

HAR 13-94

No need chase the rainbow we're already in it.

Search for and embrace the positive in the negatives, and life will be more bettah.

It's all attitude, P.A.A.

Positive Aggressive Attitude. uknodakine. TL

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) announced that Governor Linda Lingle has approved amendments to rules that regulate the use of lay gill nets and prohibit their use in certain state waters. The rule changes are now in effect.

Lay gill nets have shown to be indiscriminate and can catch nearly anything swimming by, including protected species such as Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles; are wasteful and violate the value of taking only what is needed; and can damage coral reefs and other fish habitat.

Hawai‘i Fishing News (a local fishing publication) queried its readership in 2004 on their attitude towards lay gill nets. Out of 848 respondents, 729 (86 percent) opposed the use of monofilament lay gillnets.

Nine final public hearings on the rule amendments were held statewide in July 2006. Of the total 1,239 oral and written testimonies received, 85.88 percent were in favor of the rule changes, 12.11 percent were opposed, and 2.02 percent had mixed opinions.

Similarly, the Fair Catch organization supported a statewide telephone survey in 2006. Of the 1,022 Hawai‘i residents queried, 76 percent supported the DLNR’s proposed rule change to further regulate the use of lay gill nets.

What the rules changes say
The amended rules require the registration and identification of all lay nets, limit their maximum dimensions, limit their fishing or soak times to not more than four hours in daylight hours only, and require attendance and inspection of nets when fished, limit use to one net per person per day, and prohibit their use in streams and stream mouths.

The rule amendments prohibit lay net use in state waters around the entire island of Maui. On O‘ahu, lay net use is prohibited between Portlock Point to Keahi Point (west of the Pearl Harbor channel), from Mokapu Peninsula to the northern boundary of Bellows Air Force Base, and in Kane‘ohe Bay seaward between the two ship channels, including Ahu O Laka.

The islands of Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau will not have banned areas for lay net use; however, the new rule addressing registration, size, usage and soak time will apply to these areas. Existing rules in West Hawai‘i will continue.

Penalties under law
Violations of lay net rule are subject to civil (fine of up to $1,000 for a first violation and graduated with subsequent) and or criminal penalties (a petty misdemeanor, subject to a fine of $250 for a first offense and graduated after that).

Rule amendments and maps are posted on the Division of Aquatic Resources website at http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/regs/ch75.pdf

Regulate to Perpetuate. It's a good thing, save some for the keiki. TL.

DLNR Reminds Fishers: New Law Prohibits Take Of Female
Spiny Lobsters, Kona Crabs and Samoan Crabs
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is reminding the public that taking or killing of female spiny lobsters, female Kona crabs and female Samoan crabs is prohibited by a new law.

The seasonal opening for male Kona crabs and spiny lobsters began September 1, but females are now off-limits, year-round. There is no closed season for Samoan crabs.

An amendment to Chapter 188, of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, adds a new section that states: “Unless otherwise exempted by law, it shall be unlawful for any person to take or kill any female ula (spiny lobster or Panulirus), female Kona crab (Ranina ranina), or female Samoan crab (Scylla serrata).”

“The new law, Act 77, was signed into effect by Governor Linda Lingle on May 4, 2006. It is included in the new DLNR Hawaii Fishing Regulations July 2006 edition, along with illustrations on how to tell male from female crabs and lobsters,” said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson. “We will be enforcing this new law,” Young said.

Female marine invertebrates raised in commercial aquaculture are not covered by this prohibition.

“The number of spiny lobster, Kona crabs, and Samoan crabs has declined over the years,” says Peter Young, DLNR chairperson.

“It appears that the over-harvesting of females has contributed to the decline. This measure prohibits any taking of female ula, Kona Crabs, and Samoan crabs, regardless of whether the taking was for commercial or recreational purposes.

A violation of this chapter is considered a petty misdemeanor and, in addition to any other criminal penalties, a violator shall be fined not less than: (1) $100 for a first offense; (2) $200 for a second offense; and (3) $500 for a third or subsequent offense, and be subject to up to 30 days in jail. The civil penalty fine is up to $1,000 per violation, plus up to $1,000 per specimen for a first offense (Section 187A-12.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes). In addition, violators could lose their gear, nets and boats to forfeiture.

For more information on our natural, cultural and historical resources, including, contact information, Administrative Rules, bag limits, opened and closed seasons, please access our DLNR web site at http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr.

There is good days and not so good days but they ALL are good days, if you walk with Akua. UKNODAKINE.

EAT FISH LIVE LONGER...........................................