BILL THREATENS AQUARIUM FISHING IN HAWAII

[trexcody]

DISCLAIMER: The following communication, although prepared by a University of Hawai‘i at Hilo graduate student, is expressed solely by the individual and is not approved as an official statement by the University.

Aloha,

On January 23, 2008, Senate Bill 3225 was introduced by Senator Clayton Hee to the Hawai‘i State Legislature to impose bag limits as well as complete bans on the collection of several species of coral reef fishes commonly exported from the Hawaiian Islands for the aquarium trade. The mandates outlined by this hastily-proposed legislation are clearly intended to destabilize the Hawaiian aquarium fishery and the livelihoods of associated stakeholders rather than to produce helpful resource management solutions. The bill, in its entirety, as well as its current status in the State Legislature can be found at the following URL:

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/doc ... lno=SB3225

In its current form, Senate Bill 3225:

- Essentially would bring the most valuable nearshore fishery in Hawai‘i to a standstill.
- Undermines over a decade of painstaking legislation and scientific research conducted to ensure a sustainable fishery.
- Suggests aquarium fishing is the sole cause of adverse fluctuations in reef fish populations, and thus does not recognize the inherent complexity in coral reef environments.
- Restricts collection of specific species without evidence or necessary research, which undercuts state initiatives to manage coastal resources based on the best scientific information available.
- Provides no criteria for fishes identified as “no-take” species, and ignores current efforts to establish those criteria.
- Presumes that bag limits are the most effective means of fishery management and does not take into consideration other tools which may be far more effective in addressing concerns.
- Does not anticipate limitations for enforcement while the responsible agency may lack the manpower and resources necessary to implement this law.

I urge all resource users, industry participants, scientists, conservationists, and concerned citizens alike to actively voice their opposition to this bill, as it would be an irresponsible and ineffective policy that could potentially harm coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific region. A detailed supporting statement is attached to this posting along with contact information for Senator Hee. As of January 31st, the bill has been passed on to the Ways and Means Committee (Chair: Rosalyn Baker, [email protected]) as well as the Committee on Water and Land (Chair: Clayton Hee). Information on these committees as well as corresponding contact information can be found online at: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/sen ... m/comm.asp

Guidelines for testimony:
http://capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/info/gu ... ess2=guide

PLEASE ACT NOW TO STOP THIS HARMFUL BILL!!!!!

Mahalo,

Brandon Cody Chapin

Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science Master’s Candidate
University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

 

[Anonymous]

Posted in the Industry forum, and apparently there is at least one individual who feels that we should not exercise our American right and standard of communicating to the authoring senator displeasure with the bill. I believe he said it would be "counter-productive" (I'm going from my recollection and paraphrasing here). There's also a Canuck who supports the legislation and I believe wrote to tell Sen. Hee just that.

So, as a resident, what do you think?

As an American, personally, I find it appalling to suggest that we not communicate with our elected officials, even those of other states. But I'm just kinda crazy like that.

Here's the Industry thread.
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=116948

 

[Anonymous]

Also mentioned here, see the topic "Price of Yellow Tangs may go up"

 

[reefknack]

as any reef collector, diver, snorkeler or marine biologist knows, the number of reef fish is dropping dramatically in hawaii and everywhere else. so it is pretty clear that whatever efforts have been undertaken are not working.

there are fewer fish and fewer fish habitats left. at this pace there won't be any left for acquariums in the next 10 years...and the price of "yellow tangs" will skyrocket dramatically no matter what happens.

one of the real pluses of this bill is that it allocates $$$ to monitor these populations, to try to figure out what is happening to these fish.

you should seriously consider supporting this SB 3225.

 

[Anonymous]

This is a special-interest bill that was written by Robert Wintner, the owner of a local snorkel tour operator. He knows nothing about the aquarium fishery in Hawaii, and the proposals in this bill have no scientific data to back them up. No scientists, state fishery authorities, or fishermen have been consulted. Essentially, this whole thing is a publicity stunt to draw attention to his business; he's been using us as a scapegoat for a long time while championing himself as a defender of the environment.

You can read what Mr. Wintner (aka Snorkel Bob) thinks of aquarists in this thread, where he puts aquarium hobbyists in the same category of morality as pedophiles:

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=113487

You should be aware that almost none of the claims he makes in that letter are true - we do not collect nearly as many fish as he claims, nor have we extirminated flame angels in Hawaii. The rest of his lies should be obvious to anybody familiar with the hobby.

Fortunately for us, the fact that this bill has no scientific merit means that it's unlikely that it will be passed. As several people have mentioned, the state has been monitoring the fishery for ten years, and has good data to prove that it is not declining. Fishing is a deeply ingrained part of Hawaiian culture, and the notion that its regulation can be legislated by any private citizen with an agenda is deeply disturbing. However, Mr. Wintner is certain to be very active in the support of his bill and we need to be able to respond in kind.

Anybody who believes in protecting the ocean, enjoying aquariums, and the basic principles of good government needs to oppose this bill. Most collectors, myself included, would welcome meaningful legislation that helps protect the fish upon which we depend for a living. However, regulation of our industry needs to be done by people who know what they're doing, rather than attention seekers who are willing to destroy the careers of honest, hard working people to serve their own interests.

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... c&start=20

Another thing that I did not yet point out is that, in regards to the unnamed species is the issue of enforcement. ... I am always hesitant to agree with further legislation when enforcement itself is a key issue, all other problems notwithstanding.

Enforcement (or lack thereof) is a key issue in Hawaii, and yet another problem with this bill. While I do think that our conservation officers are quite capable and able to identify illegal specimens, the department is severely underfunded and understaffed. There is simply not enough manpower to enforce the existing fishing laws, never mind new ones.

This sort of thing happens every year - new regulations are proposed (for all types of fisheries), but are essentially meaningless because the legislations fail to provide adequate resources for enforcement. It is a frustrating issue for many fishermen, who are quick to recognize the problem and cry foul every time.

Its time for the fish business in Hawaii to wake up and follow the Florida model of organizing the business. Setting regulations with input from both sides.

You are absolutely right. However, this has been happening now for over a decade - the aforementioned West Hawaii management program is the result and it appears to be quite successful. Snorkel Bob's ridiculous bill has had no input from anybody in this process and only serves to undermine years of progress.

I do not believe that any good will come out of talking with Snorkel Bob. He consistently refuses to entertain any opinions but his own, and is disliked by many in the Hawaii environmental community. Ironically, the fact that such an irrational person is the author of this bill is likely to work to our advantage.

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... c&start=40

Here's latest on yellow tang collections from West Hawaii which provides 90% of all yellows from the state. This area has 9 Fish Replenishment Areas (FRAs) comprising 35% of coast where aquarium collecting is prohibited. No need to dismantle the aquarium fishery - just manage it properly with MPAs, limited entry and kapu on some species of concern. West Hawaii is presently working on the latter two components. Let's apply the lesson here state-wide instead of scattergun, haphazard and scientifically unsupported legislation.

West Hawai’i Regional Fisheries Management Area - YellowTangs
Before FRAs AfterFRAs
(FY 1999-2000) (FY 2006-2007) % Change
Monitoring Data Density Density
No. in West HI 12.1/100m2 16.3/100m2 +35%
No. in FRAs 13.9/100m2 27.1/100m2 +95%
No. in Open Areas 10.9/100m2 10.4/100m2 -5%

Fishery Data
Total No. YTs Collected 194,394 352,425 +81%
Value of Collected YTs $383,734 $1,011,146 +164%
Value of each YT $1.97 $2.87 +46%

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... c&start=40

 

[trexcody]

Here's is an article in which you can clearly see that this is a special-interest bill:

http://www.seashepherd.org/editorials/editorial_070814_1.html

Although there are currently no exacting figures for the number of fishes leaving the state (and DAR must currently rely on estimates), the most significant figure in this article of 8-10 million "ornamental" fish taken from Hawaii reefs annually" is exaggerated to the point of being absolutely preposterous.

One must not create false information or exaggerate existing data in order to fuel a particular issue with which they have an emotional attachment. Furthermore, one most not allow this passion to obscure their ability to see things objectively. Evidence should be viewed critically, but with a clear mind.

I truly hope that an effort can be made to bring stakeholders (hobbyists, conservationists, citizens, fishermen, and dive/snorkel tour operators) and fishery managers together to come up with an EFFECTIVE alternative to this bill rather than to kill it altogether.