HAWAII BECOMES FIRST US STATE TO BAN SHARK FISHING

At the start of January a ban on shark fishing came into effect on Hawaii.

That means the ban now makes it illegal to knowingly capture, entangle, or kill any species of shark in Hawaiian state marine waters.

Those not heeding the new rules will be fined $500 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second offense, and $10,000 for a third and future offenses.

Tiger sharks are found in Hawaiian waters

According to Brian Neilson, Division of Aquatic Resources Administrator, the ban has come into place because: “Our Department is well aware of how important sharks are to maintain healthy marine ecosystems. And we recognize their importance for native Hawaiian cultural practices and beliefs.”

All of which sounds like a great positive move in the right direction for the protection of sharks for the future and for showcasing how man and shark can survive...and thrive, together.

Not that it means an end to all shark fishing or killing. If Jaws were set in Hawaii, Quint would still be able to hunt the great white shark though.

That's because this new law doesn't apply sharks captured, entangled, or killed for self-defense or the defense of another as well as sharks captured or killed according to a permit issued by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

It also won't have an impact on people with special activity permits, shark fishing for public safety, or sharks taken outside of state marine waters with proper documents. All of which makes the ban seem, well, less of a ban in actual terms.

Kristian Parton, The Daily Jaws resident shark scientist, said: "In light of this recent news on the shark fishing ban in Hawaii, it’s once again important to remember that sustainable shark fishing does exist, and should be, according to many shark scientists, the end goal for shark conservation efforts.

"It will be interesting to observe the effectiveness of this Hawaiian ban in the months and years to come."

Of course, it is hoped this ban will have a huge proactive and positive impact on sharks, as long as the sharks don't step out of line. It will certainly be interesting to see how the new law is upheld and what impact it has on both human and shark communities.

And one can only hope that if such a scheme is deemed a success in Hawaii then other ocean facing states may follow.

Words by Dean Newman

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