|
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES News Release LINDA LINGLE GOVERNOR _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LAURA H. THIELEN, CHAIRPERSON
Phone: (808) 587-0401
Fax: (808) 587-0390
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
|
For Immediate Release:
October 31,
|
HONOLULU - The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has issued notice to commercial SCUBA and snorkel tour operators utilizing Shark’s Cove, that all commercial activity in these waters must cease between November 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008. This closure is the scheduled, annual hiatus for commercial activity as stipulated in accordance with Hawai‘i Administrative Rules, section 13-256-63 which was signed into law in 2002. “Most of the year, diving and snorkeling conditions at Shark’s Cove are very good and this is an area of very high user density,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR Chairperson. “DLNR enforces this seasonal closure to give the resource a period of rest during the rough winter months. The prohibition on SCUBA diving and snorkeling only applies to commercial users. The public will still have free access to the waters of Shark’s Cove during the closure. The area will reopen to commercial activity again on April 1, 2008. Any person who violates this rule or who violates any lawful command issued pursuant to this rule shall be subject to fines as prescribed in sections 200-14, 200-14.5, and 200-25, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes. Prosecution of offenders shall be as provided by law. DLNR’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) operates and manages 21 harbors, 50 ramps, 2,122 moorings and berths and 19 piers across the state. The division oversees use of ocean recreation management areas and other zones designated for ocean recreation throughout the State. DOBOR works in close partnership with DLNR's Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) and the U.S. Coast Guard to make nearshore waters safe. The division is also responsible for registering all vessels in Hawai‘i which are not documented by the U.S. Coast Guard, and for regulating and permitting surf meets, canoe and yachting regattas, ocean swimming events and other ocean events, with the concurrence of the U.S. Coast Guard.
For more information, media may contact: |
