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Scientists urge temporary night-spearfishing ban on Oahu to protect reef herbivores
Summary
Marine scientists and environmental groups testified for SB 2972, urging an urgent temporary ban on night spearfishing for key herbivores (Uhu and Kala) around Oahu, citing data that populations are severely depleted and immediate action is needed while DAR completes rulemaking.
Testimony on SB 2972 focused on a temporary ban on night spearfishing for certain herbivores around Oahu as an emergency measure until DLNR's Holomua Marine Initiative completes rulemaking.
Ted Bolin of Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and marine scientist Randy Kosaki said herbivore populations needed protection now. Kosaki said the herbivore levels are "down to 5% of their capacity" and warned that without action the reefs risk long-term collapse. Hannah Lisiak of the Ocean Legislative Task Force and other scientists said the proposed stop-gap is needed because DAR's regulatory process could take years — they called for a temporary statutory prohibition while management planning and science-based rules are finished.
DLNR staff described outreach, recent regulatory steps (including a no night-spearfishing regulation at Mauna Loa Bay) and enforcement tools such as DOCARE and MacKay Watch. Committee members asked about penalties, enforcement capacity and public outreach; DLNR said civil penalties can reach up to $1,000 per violation and emphasized signage, community meetings and targeted enforcement as outreach steps.
The chair deferred the measure for further work and the committee discussed potential emergency-rule authority and resourcing for enforcement if the bill moves forward.
