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.
The resolution brings attention to the significant accumulation of ghost nets in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, where approximately one million pounds of these nets are currently present, causing harm to various endangered species, including the Hawaiian monk seal and green sea turtles. Furthermore, it calls for the establishment of regulations that would require U.S. fishing vessels to mark their gear, enabling better tracking and accountability to mitigate the loss and dumping of fishing nets in the ocean.
House Resolution 178 (HR178) is a measure introduced in the Hawaii House of Representatives, urging the state's congressional delegation to advocate for the enforcement of existing international laws aimed at reducing the influx of ghost nets entering the state's waters from international sources. Ghost nets, which are abandoned or lost fishing nets, pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, entangling and killing numerous marine animals every year, as well as damaging coral reefs. The resolution highlights the critical problem of pollution by ghost nets, which can persist in the ocean for centuries due to their non-biodegradable nature.
One notable point of contention surrounding HR178 is the enforcement of international maritime laws and how effective they will be in addressing the problem of marine debris. Critics may argue that enforcing these laws could lead to tensions with fishing industries, while proponents would emphasize the necessity of protecting vulnerable marine ecosystems from the detrimental impacts of ghost nets and other debris. The resolution encourages innovative approaches, such as creating financial incentives for the retrieval and proper disposal of floating fishing gear, showing a proactive stance in combating marine pollution.