Hawaii House Bill HCR198

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24
• Report Pass: 4/1/24
• Refer: 4/3/24
• Engrossed: 4/1/24
• Report Pass: 4/18/24
• Passed: 4/19/24

Caption

Requesting The State's Congressional Delegation To Advocate For The Enforcement Of Existing International Laws To Reduce Ghost Nets Entering The State From International Waters And Take Other Actions To Reduce Marine Debris From Fishing Gear.

Impact

If enacted, HCR198 seeks to prompt federal action on multiple fronts: it calls for the enforcement of international treaties that prohibit dumping synthetic fishing gear in oceans, and it encourages the implementation of requirements for fishing vessels to mark their gear, thus enabling easier identification and retrieval of lost equipment. Additionally, the bill advocates for the establishment of financial incentives to mitigate the issue of floating fishing gear, addressing both environmental concerns and the protection of marine habitats within Hawaii's waters.

Summary

HCR198 is a House Concurrent Resolution proposed during the Thirty-second Legislature of Hawaii in 2024. The bill requests the state's congressional delegation to advocate for stricter enforcement of existing international laws aimed at reducing ghost nets—abandoned or lost fishing nets that pose a serious threat to marine ecosystems. The bill emphasizes the detrimental impact of these nets, which are non-biodegradable and can persist in ocean environments for centuries, causing significant harm to wildlife and coral reefs.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HCR198 appears to be largely positive, especially among environmental advocacy groups and marine conservationists. Supporters view this resolution as a vital step toward protecting Hawaii's rich marine biodiversity from the escalating problem of marine debris, particularly ghost nets. The resolution reflects a growing recognition of the need for collaborative efforts to address environmental issues that extend beyond state borders, engaging the federal government in meaningful ways.

Contention

While HCR198 does not seem to have any vocal opposition noted in the discussions, it highlights the important issue of enforcing international maritime laws, which can sometimes be difficult due to varying interests among states and nations. There are likely logistical and regulatory challenges ahead, especially in ensuring compliance from fishing vessels operating in international waters, yet the resolution serves to bring attention to these critical environmental challenges and the necessity of coordinated efforts to solve them.