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Lawmakers move to create Office of Marine Affairs; industry urges coordinated blue-economy strategy
Summary
SB2907 to establish an Office of Marine Affairs and a marine affairs task force drew broad industry and community support; DBEDT warned of capacity needs and recommended funding or alternatives; committee moved the bill forward with amendments including placement and coordinator pay provisions.
Senate Bill 2907, aimed at establishing an Office of Marine Affairs, a marine task force and a coordinated ocean-cluster approach for Hawaii’s blue economy, drew extensive testimony from industry, community groups and state agencies during a joint Senate committee hearing on Feb. 13.
Trung Lam of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation said Hawaii’s blue economy currently contributes about $10 billion to state GDP and supports roughly 97,000 jobs; he argued the bill would create a formal ocean cluster and a marine coordinator to align…
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