Starting Jan. 1, 2022, it will be illegal to “knowingly capture, entangle, or kill any species of shark in Hawaiian state waters within 12 nautical miles from shore.
The law does not apply to the following: “People with special activity permits issued by Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR); shark fishing for public safety purposes as authorized or conducted by DLNR; sharks captured, entangled, or killed for self-defense or the defense of another; or sharks captured or killed according to a permit issued by DLNR.”
Violation of the law is a misdemeanor but carries the following penalties:
- $500 for a first offense.
- $2,000 for a second offense.
- $10,000 for a third or subsequent offenses.
- A civil fine not exceeding $10,000 per offense.
- An administrative fine of no more than $10,000 for each shark captured or entangled, whether alive or dead.
- Seizure and forfeiture of any captured sharks or any part or product, commercial marine license, vessel, and fishing equipment.
- Assessment of administrative fees and costs, and attorney’s fees and costs.
