HRS §195D-3
How the state studies and protects species
The department can study any aquatic life, wildlife, or land plant to learn what it needs to survive. It can make rules about taking, selling, or moving these species to protect them. Unless the rules allow it, people cannot take, possess, or sell species the department says need protection.
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The statute, as written — Determination by the department relating to conservation of particular species
(a) The department is authorized to conduct investigations on any species of aquatic life, wildlife, and land plants in order to develop information relating to their biology, ecology, population, status, distribution, habitat needs, and other limiting factors to determine conservation measures necessary for their continued ability to sustain themselves successfully. (b) The department is authorized to adopt pursuant to chapter 91, rules relating to the taking, possession, transportation, transplantation, importation, exportation, processing, selling, offering for sale, or shipment of any species of aquatic life, wildlife, and land plant for the purpose of conserving the same. (c) Except as permitted by rules adopted by the department, it shall be unlawful for any person to take, possess, transport, transplant, export, process, sell, offer for sale, or ship any species of aquatic life, wildlife, or land plants deemed by the department to be in need of conservation pursuant to this section.
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