Legislation introduced in Hawaii by Maile S.L. Shimbakuro would clarify the state’s fisherman harassment language to now cover any person purposely fishing in Hawaii’s water. Senate Bill 2267 has a hearing in the Senate Water and Land Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 1:15 p.m. at the state capitol in Conference Room 229.
Take Action Today! Hawaii sportsmen should contact their state senators and ask them to vote YES on Senate Bill 2267. Hawaii members can find their senators by using the Sportsmen’s Alliance Legislative Action Center.
Under Hawaii’s current fisherman harassment law, any individual that is licensed to fish in Hawaiian waters is protected from harassment. This language is outdated because there is no fishing license required for recreational saltwater fishing in the state for residents or visitors, so, technically speaking, recreational saltwater fisherman are not protected by the states fisherman harassment language.
New language included in SB 2267 would protect anyone fishing in Hawaiian waters from harassment or attempts to prevent the harvest of legal fish, even those fishing lawfully without a license. This legislation also further specifies that photographing or videotaping a fisherman within 100 feet could be considered harassment.
The penalty for anyone charged with harassment of a fisherman is a fine up to $500 and jail time of no more than 30 days.
“Sportsmen should be able to pursue their passions without being subjected to harassment or feeling constant concern for their personal safety,” said Jacob Hupp, associate director of state services for Sportsmen’s Alliance. “This legislation will help to ensure that the future of fishing in Hawaii is preserved by protecting sportsmen from continued harassment, which could lead to them quitting the sport altogether.”
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.