(BIVN) – A senate bill that would create additional protections for Hawaiʻi sharks and rays is making its way through the State Legislature, and one family from Hawaiʻi Island is helping it to advance.

The Nakachi ohana – Mike, Kaikea and Alohi, all devoted to the study and preservation of the manō – made the trip to Oʻahu in support of SB 489, which, according to its description:

Establishes an offense of knowingly capturing, taking, possessing, abusing, entangling, or killing a shark in state marine waters, along with penalties and fines. Expands the existing prohibition on knowingly capturing or killing a manta ray in state marine waters to apply to all rays and to also include knowingly taking, possessing, abusing, or entangling a ray. Provides certain exemptions.

The bill, which received hundreds of personal testimonies in support, was  heard on Wednesday by the Senate Committee on Water and Land, chaired by Hilo State Senator Kai Kahele. The measure was advanced with a recommended to pass.