Sharks banned in Hawaii in 2022

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HONOLULU, Hawaii (KITV) – Shark fishing in Hawaii will be banned in Hawaii in 2022.

Law 51 (House Bill 533), passed during the last legislature, prohibits anyone from knowingly catching, entangling, or killing any species of shark in Hawaii’s waters.

“We recognize the importance of sharks in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. We also recognize their importance to the cultural practices and beliefs of Native Hawaiians, ”said Brian Neilson, Administrator, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

Offenders would be charged with a wrongdoing and could be fined $ 500 for a first offense and up to $ 10,000 for repeated offenses. This fine applies to every single shark caught or killed. Offenders could also have their commercial boat license, vessel and fishing gear confiscated and / or blocked.

If a shark is accidentally caught, fishermen should avoid taking it onto the ship whenever possible. To release it, cut the string as securely as possible near the shark’s mouth.

However, the new law does not apply in the following circumstances:

• People with special permits for activities issued by DLNR

• Shark for public safety purposes as approved or conducted by DLNR

• Sharks caught outside of state marine waters with required documentation

• Sharks that are caught, trapped or killed for self-defense or the defense of another

• Sharks caught or killed under a permit issued by DLNR

Neilson says that while the law is due to go into effect January 1, there is still a lot of work to be done before it is fully implemented. And the DLNR can issue administrative regulations to help with implementation.

Under Act 51, the terms and conditions for non-commercial permits to catch sharks must “include indigenous Hawaiian cultural protocols, size and species restrictions, and a ban on species identified as endangered or threatened.”

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