REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO WORK WITH THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER EXPERTS TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE POPULATION STATUS OF DEPLETED CORAL REEF HERBIVORES AROUND THE ISLAND OF OAHU AND DEVELOP EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE POLICIES FOR SUBSTANTIALLY REPLENISHING THOSE POPULATIONS WITHIN A DECADE.

This Senate Resolution asks the Department of Land and Natural Resources to study the low numbers of fish that eat seaweed around Oahu and create a plan to increase their populations within ten years. The study will involve experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and will focus on specific species like parrotfish and surgeonfish that are currently depleted. The department must submit a report with its findings and policy recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2024. This initiative aims to address issues such as overfishing and coral bleaching to help restore the health of local reef ecosystems.