LIHUE — A increase in the annual commercial marine license fee, to $100 from $50, went into effect in Hawaii Wednesday.
LIHUE — A increase in the annual commercial marine license fee, to $100 from $50, went into effect in Hawaii Wednesday.
“This was something we really needed to do,” said Bruce Anderson, administrator for DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources. “The last time we increased the CML fee was September 1999, and our fee is really quite low compared with other states.”
He said they are experiencing losses in revenues because non-residents can no longer be charged a higher fee, due to a court settlement. But operational expenses keep going up.
“The increased revenues will help us with our current needs, including support for new on-line reporting and licensing options to better serve the public,” he said.
The new rule also establishes a reporting deadline for dealers who buy marine life directly from commercial fishers.
