ACT 51. H.B. NO. 553. A Bill for an Act Relating to the Protection of Sharks (Hawaii, USA)
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Requires the government (the Department of Land and Natural Resources) to establish rules to prevent "wanton waste" of sharks and to limit gear such as gill nets in areas identified as shark nursery habitats.
Violation is a misdemeanour but with possible significant penalties.
Weaknesses
The law does not apply to people with special activity permits; shark fishing for public safety purposes as authorized or conducted by the Department; sharks taken outside of state marine waters, with required documentation; sharks captured, entangled, or killed for self-defence or the defence of another; and sharks captured or killed according to a permit.
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