2022_11_15 Game Management Advisory Commission Minutes

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rules. Of what DLNR is proposing is essentially they estimate there's between 60 and 70 boats that right now are viewing manta rays. They want to cut that—and most of that is in Makako Bay and Keauhou Bay—two sites. They want to cut that down to 24 permits and then they want the permits to carry—a vessel would carry no more than 60 passengers. And then within a single 24-hour period. So, you can't do multiple trips of an hour. And then they have other additional proposed rules for that so, um, Natalie's spot on with now's a good time to start putting input here. NR: Yeah, cause, like I said, they like drop them off, come back, reload and I've been there and, you know, 'cause we fish and I've seen the same boat load up 20 people on like a 12-person little boat and it just doesn't make any sense. And literally all night long— four to five boats going out—same company. TN: Abraham, Teresa. May I say something? We're open for discussion, so I just want to make a suggestion. AA: Sylvia? Can the public make a comment during this time or is it just for Commissioners? SW: This would be just for Commissioners. As far as public comments go—that's during testimony and that's how the public can provide input to the Commission. So technically there is no rule that specifically allows the public to ask questions, but if the Chair so wants to allow (unclear) for a particular question, you can, ah, generally at an in person meeting questions like that written down and can be at the discretion of the Chair closed to the panel or not. So... AA: OK. I going let Teresa speak just because this is part of the—there's no option for the community to speak and since we're not in person, ah, there's no option for the public to write down anything, so, yeah, Teresa, you can speak. TN: May I suggest that you contact DAR and have an open communication into this rule making and then we—then the Commissioners would have an avenue and they could possibly start a committee and do a suggestion of what their input would be as part of the new rules upcoming—that's all I wanted to suggest. AA: Thanks, Teresa. And when we make this committee—that's what the committee would have to do anyway as part of their investigation. Any other comments from the Commissioners? OK. Abraham, District—5, 1 guess we'll just move on to a roll call vote to create this investigation committee. Sylvia, can you make a roll call vote, please? SW: Yes, and just to clarify, I'll call the question, which is the motion on the floor right now is to investigate— based on the discussion and please correct me if this is correct or not— but to investigate the rules and penalties regarding manta ray tours and their effects on the manta ray populations. Is that correct, Ms. Reynolds? 7