Bill > SB1262

This bill establishes new fishing restrictions for specific fish species around Oahu to protect and enhance coral reef resilience. The legislation limits recreational fishing of kala (bluespine unicornfish), nenue (chub fish), and uhu (parrotfish) in state waters around Oahu, with specific daily catch and possession limits: two kala, four nenue, and only one uhu of non-spectacled species per day, while completely prohibiting the taking of spectacled parrotfish. The bill requires the Division of Aquatic Resources to conduct population assessments of these fish species every two years and report findings to the Legislature, with the goal of supporting coral reef health. The findings section of the bill emphasize that these herbivorous fish are critical for maintaining coral reefs by cropping seaweeds that can smother coral, especially important given Oahu's highly degraded reef ecosystems and increasing threats from ocean warming, acidification, and pollution. The fishing restrictions and monitoring requirements will be in effect from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2035, providing a decade-long framework for marine resource management and coral reef protection.