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DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES News Release LINDA LINGLE GOVERNOR _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON
Phone: (808) 587-0401
Fax: (808) 587-0390
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For Immediate Release:
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LANA‘I CITY -- Lana‘i lay gillnet fishers are invited to meet with staff from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Aquatic Resources who will provide information about new lay gillnet rules, and register their laynets. Because there is no DLNR aquatic resources office on Lana‘i, staff from the Maui office will be present to meet with fishers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, at the DLNR office at 917 Fraser Avenue, Lana‘i City. New lay gillnet rules were announced in early March 2007 that require all gill nets used in lay net fishing to be registered, and to carry identification tags. “We invite all Lana‘i fishers to take advantage of this opportunity to meet our staff, learn about the new lay gillnet rules, ask questions and register their nets,” said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson. Lay gillnets (or “lay nets”) are set in one location and left there for a period of time, entangling fish as they swim into it. Most nets are made of monofilament nylon, with floats along one length and weights along the other. In order to register a lay gillnet, fishers need to provide a valid personal photo identification, along with a description of the net(s) he/she wishes to register. The description should include material (e.g. monofilament) and dimensions (mesh size and overall net size). Fishers do not need to bring their nets with them. The new rules address registration, size, usage and soak time will apply to areas where lay gillnet fishing is allowed (The islands of Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau will not have banned areas for lay net use; however, portions of Oahu and the Big Island, and all waters surrounding Maui ban the use of lay gillnet fishing.) The DLNR's Division of Aquatic Resources will provide the registrant with codes and temporary tags, which he/she must attach to his/her net(s), along with surface marker floats, as required. The fisher must place the tags onto each net in accordance with instructions that will be provided. Permanent (metal or other durable material) tags, to replace the temporary tags, will be mailed to the fisher as soon as they become available. Rule amendments and maps are posted on the Division of Aquatic Resources website at http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/regs/ch75.pdf Anyone that is unable to make this meeting date can pick up a registration form at the office, and may register through the mail. Persons with questions regarding the rule and/or the laynet registration process may contact the Maui DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources office at (808) 243-5294.
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