RES 308 Draft 02 2008-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WHEREAS, the West Hawai`i Fisheries Council (WHFC) has recently submitted a number of recommended rule amendments to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, which include a variety of management proposals; and WHEREAS, possible approaches and guidelines, among others, can include: 1. The implementation of adaptive management of Fish Replenishment Areas, which specifically allows a reef area at Pebble Beach, South Kona, to be closed to aquarium collecting while opening a similarly sized area to be determined in concert by representatives of the Big Island Association of Aquarium Fishermen and the WHFC, thus maintaining a balanced proportion of open -to- closed fish collection areas; 2. The maintenance of a tropical fish "white list" specifying which species can be collected for the aquarium trade, based on scientific data, subject to review, per the administrative rule- making process; 3. The establishment of a bag limit for large ( >5 "), reproductively mature yellow tang, in order to protect the breeder stocks and sustain the aquarium fishery; and 4. While awaiting determination of the legality of establishing Limited Entry regulations for the aquarium industry in West Hawai`i, the feasibility of a one -year moratorium on the issuance of commercial aquarium fish permits will be explored; and WHEREAS, the Hawai`i County Council believes that while this industry contributes to the economic health of the Island of Hawaii, it should not be at the expense of our island resources and other ocean oriented businesses; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it hereby urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources, to adopt management approaches and guidelines listed above which include adaptive management of Fish Replenishment Areas, a list specifying which tropical fish are allowed for collection and trade, the establishment of a bag limit for large, reproductively mature yellow tang, and the feasibility of a one -year moratorium on the issuance of commercial aquarium fish permits will be explored upon adoption by the Department of Land and Natural Resources. 2