Bill > SB2972

This bill temporarily prohibits the spearing of uhu (parrotfish) and kala (bluespine unicornfish) in state marine waters around Oahu during nighttime hours, specifically after sunset and before sunrise. This restriction is put in place because these herbivorous fish are crucial for maintaining healthy coral reefs by eating seaweed, and their populations are threatened, especially on Oahu due to its high human population density. The prohibition will remain in effect until the Division of Aquatic Resources' Holomua Marine Initiative, a process involving consultation with fishermen, cultural practitioners, and community representatives to address nearshore issues, adopts new regulations specifically for Oahu that will restore uhu and kala populations to levels sufficient to prevent seaweed from smothering coral reefs. Once these new regulations are officially adopted, this temporary spearing ban will be lifted.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2972&year=2026