HONOLULU, Hawaiʻi (KHON2) — The State of Hawaiʻi has made new official rules stemming from the Maunalua Bay Fisheries Management Area (FMA), a Hawaiʻi alliance, which aims to restore marine life and protect Hawaii’s ocean heritage.
With the FMA, they intend to create a shift in how communities and governments can work together to manage natural resources.
According to Mālama Maunalua, the new regulations prohibit night-dive spearfishing and restrict or limit you from taking home any fish or other species, such as ʻalakuma (7-11 crab), horned helmet, Triton’s trumpet, ula (spiny lobster), and ula pāpapa (slipper lobster).
“This is a historic compromise,” Doug Harper, Executive Director of Mālama Maunalua, said. “It’s proof that we don’t have to choose between protecting the ocean and feeding our families–we can do both, together.”
The FMA want to maintain a community-informed, science-backed model that will set a new standard for marine management across the U.S. Their plan is to form a panel that will go over current data to make sure that all rules remain effective; allowing the community to oversee FMA’s progress.
“This is a powerful example of how diverse voices can overcome challenges,” said Dawn Chang, Chair of the Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources. “Hawaiʻi is showing the rest of the country how the government and communities can work collaboratively.”
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In this groundbreaking step for ocean stewardship and community-driven collaboration, Mālama Maunalua has a good vision for the future of marine life in Hawaiʻi.