Northwest Hawaiian Islands fishing ban

[Glen Miyashiro]

Gov. Lingle recently signed a new DLNR rule which bans fishing in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands up to 3 miles from shore, from Nihoa to Kure. Fishing further offshore is still allowed.

Here are the articles from the Star-Bulletin (http://starbulletin.com/2005/09/30/news/story07.html) and the Advertiser (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050930/NEWS14/509300365/1025/NEWS) on the signing.

The final rules aren't on the DLNR web site yet. Here's an announcement (http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/announce.htm#NWHI) from DLNR, at the end of which is a link to the PDF for the draft rules.

[Miulang]

After reading about the human effluent the crew of the Hokule'a and the other voyagers have found on their travels through the NWHI (the plastic, the nets, the alien plants, etc) recently, this is very good news. To preserve this place which was so special to the first voyagers who worshipped on those islands and that is home to many endangered species is a victory for anyone who wants to ensure that such pristine places continue to thrive somewhere in the world.

Miulang

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How does the DLNR intend to enforce the ban?

They don't even have the manpower to stop illegal fishing hunting on the main islands of Hawaii.