Section 13-94-8 - Bottomfish restricted fishing areas(a) The department will restrict fishing in certain areas to conserve the spawning populations of bottomfish.(b) To aid enforcement of this section, the department intends to restrict all fishing for and possession of bottomfish within the restricted fishing areas. It is unlawful for any person to take or possess bottomfish while in a vessel that is drifting or anchoring within any bottomfish restricted fishing area, except in times of emergencies or as may be otherwise authorized by law.(c) The department will gather and consider the following information when selecting the bottomfish restricted fishing areas: (1) Identify the fishing areas where spawning onaga and ehu are caught;(2) Restrict fishing in about twenty percent of the known fishing areas where spawning onaga and ehu are caught;(3) Distribute the bottomfish restricted fishing areas in the most effective manner to consider the potential benefits and limit negative impacts on bottomfish fishing opportunities;(4) Suggestions from bottomfish fishers statewide; and(5) Any other relevant information.(d) Due to the critical need of some bottomfish species for conservation measures, the department may need to respond quickly to establish or modify bottomfish restricted fishing areas. The bottomfish restricted fishing areas shall be established or amended by formal board action at a publicly noticed meeting. The bottomfish restricted fishing areas are attached at the end of this chapter as Exhibit A, entitled the "Bottomfish Restricted Fishing Areas" 4/24/98, or as may be amended by subsequent board action and a copy of the amended Exhibit A shall be filed with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.[Eff 6/1/1998; am 10/18/2010] (Auth: HRS §§ 187A-5, 188-53) (Imp: HRS §§ 187A-5, 188-53)