Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Recognize That Game Mammals And Birds Provide A Sustainable Food Source And That Each Department, Agency, And Office Of The State Incorporate Local Hunting And Fishing Industries Into Its Food Sustainability Strategy.
The resolution requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to formally recognize the sustainable potential of game mammals and birds. It urges state agencies to incorporate local hunting and fishing industries into their food security strategies. This shift could enhance food self-sufficiency while ensuring that game populations are managed in a way that minimizes negative environmental impacts. The proposed measures align with broader state sustainability goals and could serve to bolster local economies dependent on fishing and hunting.
SCR45 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution introduced in the Thirty-first Legislature of Hawaii in 2022, which emphasizes the importance of recognizing game mammals and birds as sustainable food sources. The resolution arises from concerns about supply chain disruptions and rising food prices that have emphasized the need for enhanced food security and self-sufficiency within the state. Given that a significant percentage of food consumed in Hawaii is imported, the resolution acknowledges Hawaii's vulnerability to such disruptions and advocates for local food production strategies that utilize native resources.
While SCR45 proposes a beneficial framework for integrating game mammals and birds into the state's food sustainability efforts, discussions surrounding local hunting practices may raise concerns among environmental advocates. Ensuring that hunting practices do not negatively impact native ecosystems or agricultural areas is pivotal. Furthermore, the resolution's emphasis on managing game populations in designated areas acknowledges the need for a careful balance between conservation and local food sourcing, which may become a point of contention among various stakeholders, including conservationists, local farmers, and hunting advocates.