URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF JUG LINE FISHING AND TO ADOPT RULES PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 91, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, NECESSARY TO ADDRESS ANY CONCERNS RAISED BY THE ASSESSMENT.

This bill urges the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to evaluate the effects of jug line fishing on marine life and create regulations to address any issues found. The resolution directs the department to conduct an assessment and adopt rules under Chapter 91 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to manage concerns related to this fishing method. Jug line fishing involves using buoyant devices to suspend baited hooks and has been linked to entanglement of endangered species like the Hawaiian monk seal and hawksbill sea turtle. The bill is based on a 2025 incident where a monk seal died from entanglement in a jug line, highlighting the need for potential management changes.