Large-scale commercial harvesting of sea cucumbers will be banned effective Jan. 10 under new rules signed into law Thursday by Gov. David Ige.

“This action is expected to protect and sustain critically important sea cucumber populations in our near-shore waters,” Ige said in a news release.

The new rules were prompted by mass commercial harvesting last year in nearshore waters off Maui and Oahu.

Licensed aquarium collectors are now allowed to harvest two species of sea cucumbers from Oahu waters only, with a 20-per-day maximum and an annual take of no more than 3,600 for the entire commercial fishery.

Department of Land and Natural Resources Chairwoman Suzanne Case said the sea cucumber population will be monitored over the next few years and harvest levels could be adjusted in the future.

Program seeks volunteers to help remove invasive plants

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is launching a “Stewardship at the Summit” volunteer program, which gets underway today and continues through June.

Volunteers will help remove invasive, nonnative plant species that prevent native plants from growing.

The program begins at 9 a.m. at the park’s Kilauea Visitor Center and ends at noon on the following dates: Jan. 2, 8, 15, 23 and 30; Feb. 5, 13, 20 and 24; March 2, 11, 19 and 26; April 1, 9, 15, 22 and 30; May 6, 14, 18 and 28; and June 3, 11, 17 and 22.

Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. No advance registration is required and there is no cost to participate, but park entrance fees apply.

Also, to celebrate the park’s centennial in 2016, a special After Dark in the Park program titled “What Makes a Species Invasive” is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 26 at the Kilauea Visitor Center.

“We encourage all who care about our public lands to lend a hand in making sure its natural and native beauty is around for future generations to enjoy,” said project leader and volunteer Paul Field. “It’s fun and fairly easy work. We have people who range in age from 8 to over 80 helping out.”

Since 2012, volunteers have dedicated more than 5,000 hours and have restored more than 35 acres of native rain forest within the Hawaii island national park. Himalayan ginger, faya, strawberry guava and other invasive, nonnative plants that threaten the native understory near the summit of Kilauea volcano have been removed.