File video by David Corrigan, Voice of Stephanie Salazar

KONA, Hawaii: A public hearing has been set in the sweeping new rule changes governing the West Hawaii Regional Fishery management area.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources has been working on the revisions for over a decade. The new rules will affect 147 miles of Kona-side coast from South Point to Upolo Point.

Some of the proposals include a SCUBA spearfishing prohibition, limits on the use of lay nets to one net per person per day, seizure of unregistered lay nets, and extending the no-netting area in Keauhou Bay.

There are also proposed restrictions on the take of marine species for aquariums include a list of marine life that may be taken, a no-take list of certain marine species, and closing a 1,500 foot section of Ka’ohe Bay to aquarium collecting.

These ideas have been under discussion for a few years now, and they were even presented the the Hawaii County Council in 2010.

The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, December 5 at Kealakehe High School in Kona at 6 p.m.