New educational shark signs installed around the state’s harbors and ramps

New signs regarding a new law that protects sharks were installed this past week throughout the state’s 40 harbors, ramps, and state facilities.

On Jan. 1, the new law reminds fishers that it’s illegal to intentionally capture, entangle or kill a shark in Hawai‘i State waters. The eight to 12 signs were installed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation. The signs were funded through a partnership between DOBOR, For the Fishes, and Moana Ohana, which for years advocated to enhance rules and laws that protect sharks.

“While we hope the signs engender respect for sharks and their natural and cultural roles in Hawai‘i, they also serve as a reminder of a new law that went into effect on January 1st, extending protections to more than 40 species of sharks that frequent State waters,” said DOBOR Administrator Ed Underwood.

In addition to the new signs, most of which have now been installed, the Mālama Mano education campaign has distributed more than 8,000 informational cards and flyers around the state, advising fishers that it is illegal to intentionally capture, entangle, or kill a shark in Hawai‘i State waters. They also include information on how to report potential violations.