Hawaiian Resolutions to Ban Sale of Speared Fish

[kitefisherman]

http://www.hawaiiskindiver.net/articles.php?article_id=102

These two are concurent resolutions about banning the sale of speared fish.

HCR116 - Introduced by Rep. Hermina Morita
SCR186 - Introduced by Sen. Tsutui English
Please contact them if you are opposed to this resolution.
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/bills/hcr116_.htm

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
SUPPORTING HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES RELATED TO THE capture and SALE OF FISH.

WHEREAS, human health and safety issues are of paramount concern to the Legislature and the people of the State of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the law with respect to fish captured for sale by the use of a spear is unclear and not readily understood by the general public; and

WHEREAS, with the repeal of section 188-25, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in 1999, which prohibited the sale of speared fish, it would appear that speared fish could now be sold legally; and

WHEREAS, Department of Health rules, however, under section 11-29-4(d), Hawaii Administrative Rules, prohibit the sale of any fish that has been bruised, torn, or otherwise rendered liable to spoilage; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Health rule is the controlling authority and should be aggressively enforced to ensure the health and safety of the consuming public; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature supports human health and safety as it relates to the capture and sale of fish and urges the Department of Health to aggressively enforce its rules to protect the consuming public; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the

Director of Health, and the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

[uluabusta]

Those idiots are trying to say a speared fish is ruined and bad for consumption. I guess they don't realize that most tuna, billfish or any large pelagic fish on the market was gaffed and often clubbed or powerheaded prior to being brought on board and iced down. These proposals are concocted and trying to be passed by the same idiots who keep trying to ban pole fishing and spearfishing here. We keep fighting them every year.

[Steel Shootin']

WHEREAS, Department of Health rules, however, under section 11-29-4(d), Hawaii Administrative Rules, prohibit the sale of any fish that has been bruised, torn, or otherwise rendered liable to spoilage; and

This is exactly the kind of ridiculous argument that enemies of spearing will try to make.

Fact: Commercial spearfishermen are generally on the water no more than three days tops;

Fact: Commercial spearfishermen bring some of the freshest commercial fish to market;

Fact: Fish houses love to get fish from commercial spearfishermen because of said freshness;

Fact: Commercial spearfishermen's fish are considered "sushi grade" by some, given their freshness.

Man, it just really pisses me off to see an outright LIE being used to promote a rule or statute.

BTW, this is not a commercial vs. Rec issue. When we see spearfishermen targeted IN ANY CONTEXT, being singled out, and losing rights, action must be taken.

Still think you need a reason to join the FRA?????

Scott

[PatMyGreen]

What a bunch of garbage. I guess that legislation could be interpretted as only allowing long-lining and the various forms of netting because the fish that they bring in are SAFER for the public to consume. Great looking out there boys, where is the science to back that up I wonder. Paging Dr. Ault....Dr. Ault.