A package of ocean protection bills introduced by a Hawaii congressman has passed the U.S. House of Representatives.
Hawaii Rep. Ed Case introduced a raft of legislation that he called “the most consequential oceans legislation in decades,” which includes bills to protect coral reefs, promote investment in ocean science, crack down on illegal and unethical fishing, and more.
“From warmer temperatures and acidification to nonpoint-source pollution, trash, overfishing and beyond, our oceans are on an unsustainable path and desperately need our help to save them,” Case said in a statement. “This legislation not only focuses attention on our oceans, but also commits resources to effectively respond to the concerns, which is critical not just to our island home but to the global environment as well.”
The bills includes annual allocations of $20 million to maintain the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 1998 through fiscal year 2027. The funds would be used to develop management plans to better protect reefs from the effects of climate change and pollution, and develop more detailed live maps of reef topography.
Brian Neilson, administrator for the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources, said the legislation could bolster the amount of funds Hawaii could receive through the Reef Conservation Act by more than 300%.
Over the past several years, the state has received between $750,000 and $900,000 annually for reef protection, but through the legislation, Hawaii could be eligible for up to $3 million each year.
However, those would be matching funds, Neilson said, meaning the state would have to wrangle up $3 million in order to receive the $3 million from the federal government.
“It’s going to be challenging to get that $3 million, but hopefully this can convince our state Legislature to make this a priority.”
With that potential of $6 million annually, Neilson said the state could expand its coral nursery programs, particularly those in West Hawaii, which work to regrow damaged reefs and repair bleaching damage.
The bills also include one that would establish a Coral Reef Task Force whose membership would include the Hawaii’s governor, who would also select at least one nonvoting member. Other members would include the presidents of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.
Another bill would improve the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 by establishing a data collection network that would track and record all fatal stranding or entanglement incidents involving whales and other marine mammals, as well as provide unspecified funding for the collection and analysis of stranding specimens.
Yet another bill establishes a prohibition on the sales of shark fins in the U.S., but that will have a limited impact in Hawaii because the state banned the harvesting of sharks altogether several years ago, and the sales of shark fins more than a decade ago. But Neilson said the measure will hopefully improve the survivability of shark species worldwide.
Other provisions in the legislative package include updates to a Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to provide assistance to state and tribal agencies for decontaminating vessels to prevent the spread of invasive species, and bills to strengthen laws prohibiting illegal fishing and combating human trafficking.
“Hawaii’s oceans and coral reefs are in dire need of investment to sustain their future in the face of climate change,” said Suzanne Case, outgoing Department of Land and Natural Resources Chair and sister of Ed Case. “DLNR is very grateful for our delegation’s strong leadership and Congress’s commitment to conserving Hawaii’s oceans and coral reefs.”
The legislative package next will be considered by the U.S. Senate.
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.