New rules for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands will eliminate all commercial and recreational fishing in state waters along the entire 1,200-mile island chain, but will still allow Native Hawaiians access for cultural practices.

Fishing is still allowed in the much larger federal marine reserve, but the state said it will press to have fishing banned there as well.

"These rules set in motion the most significant marine conservation initiative in the history of Hawai'i by creating the state's largest marine refuge," said Gov. Linda Lingle, who signed the new rules yesterday.

The state rules will take effect sometime in October.

The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are a chain of small islands, atolls, submerged banks and reefs beginning approximately 120 nautical miles west of the main Hawaiian Islands and stretching northwest. The islands are surrounded by some of the most extensive and healthy coral reefs in the world and are home to more than 7,000 species of marine plants and animals, including the endangered monk seal and green sea turtle.

State waters extend three miles around all the islands and atolls from Nihoa, the tiny island beyond Ni'ihau and Kaua'i, to Kure Atoll, the northernmost land mass in the Hawaiian chain. Midway is not included.

The rules set aside state waters from commercial and recreational fishing, and require an entry permit for all other activities including educational, scientific and cultural.

Nine boats now are given permits to fish for 'opakapaka, onaga and other species, mostly in federal waters. The boats bring in between 200,000 and 300,000 pounds of fish a year, or about half this type of fish consumed in Hawai'i. The harvest is valued at about $1.5 million.

Peter Young, chairman of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, said the state will ask that all fishing be eliminated from the federal waters as well. Young said he would like to have the fishery totally closed within five years and the permitted boats compensated for their loss.

Veteran commercial fisherman Edward Timoney, who holds one of the permits for the area, said he would have to find a new fishery or be forced out of business if the fishing ban is extended to federal waters.

"That's my whole income," said Timoney, who operates his boat "Laysan" out of Kewalo Basin. "There is nothing wrong with the fishery. I believe it would be a terrible waste of the resource."

Mark Mitsuyasu, fisheries program officer for the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, said the council was asked to draft regulations for the federal refuge area and recommend that the bottom fish industry remain open while other fisheries, such as lobster and precious corals, be scientifically studied.

"It is a controlled and managed fishery," Mitsuyasu said. "The stock is healthy and has very little impact to the environment."

Young said the proposed rules are in response to conservation measures requested in public comments. Two rounds of public hearings were held statewide over three years, with more than 25,000 comments received.

"We are going to encourage the sanctuary program to follow the lead of the state and prohibit fishing in federal waters as well," Young said. "The broader bigger message is it is important for us to have a place in the world where we don't take something. This will be the largest marine protected area in the world, land or marine based, where there is no extraction."

Lingle said the area has been overfished for a long time and if the fisheries are protected, there will be a "dramatic increase" in the fish population. "It will have a large positive impact in the number of fish in the main Hawaiian Islands if that area is left in peace," she said.

The state also has applied to create a World Heritage site under U.N. rules because of its natural and cultural significance.

"We commend the state for incorporating Native Hawaiian rights of access and cultural practice in the very protective refuge for state waters in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands," said Vicky Holt Takamine, president of the Ilio'ulaokalani Coalition. "The Native Hawaiian community has been deeply involved in this process and has repeatedly recommended an end to commercial fishing (in the) Northwestern Hawaiian Islands."

Rep. Ed Case introduced a bill in the U.S. Congress three months ago to extend complete refuge protection for the entire area. Case said the bill needs to pass to create a true wildlife refuge in the area and he appreciates Lingle's "effective endorsement."

"I welcome that endorsement," Case said. "I need her to communicate her endorsement on behalf of the state government to Congress.

"There should be some wild places left in this world where humans don't tread too much, where wild species can survive and prosper."

Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com.