Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Work With The National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration And Other Experts To Conduct A Study On The Population Status Of Coral Reef Herbivores Around The Island Of Oahu And Develop Effective Policies For Substantially Increasing Those Populations Within A Decade.
The resolution acknowledges the critical role that coral reefs play in Hawaii's economy and ecosystem, providing essential services such as habitat for fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection. Currently, many reefs around Oahu are degraded, dominated by dead coral and seaweeds due to a lack of sufficient herbivores that typically keep reefs clean and thriving. By emphasizing the need to recover these populations, HCR83 aims to address the broader environmental challenges posed by climate change, including increasing ocean temperatures and frequent coral bleaching events.
HCR83 is a House Concurrent Resolution that requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) in Hawaii to collaborate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other experts to conduct a detailed study of coral reef herbivore populations around the island of Oahu. The resolution emphasizes the necessity of such a study to better understand the status of species such as parrotfishes and surgeonfishes, which are crucial for maintaining healthy coral reef ecosystems. The goal is to devise effective policies aimed at substantially increasing these herbivore populations within a decade.
In summary, HCR83 not only seeks to improve ecological conditions on Oahu's coral reefs but also aims to protect the socio-economic interests tied to these natural resources. As a framework for responsible management and policy formulation, it stands to facilitate ongoing dialogues around marine conservation, community resilience, and adaptation to climate changes impacting Hawaii's marine ecosystems.
While the resolution highlights the importance of enhancing herbivore populations to restore coral health, it raises questions regarding current fishing policies and practices that may hinder these efforts. Stakeholders may debate the effectiveness of existing regulations on herbivore catch limits, and what further legislative actions might be necessary to ensure the successful implementation of the recommendations that arise from the proposed study. The resolution also explicitly calls for a report on these findings and recommendations to be submitted to the Legislature by December 1, 2024, which suggests a timeline for accountability and follow-up.