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From: Walter Dudley <br /> To: W PCtesti mony <br /> Subject: Punaluu Black Sands Beach Shoreline Management Area permit <br /> Date: Monday, March 11, 2024 11:02:19 AM <br /> The cove at Punaluu Black Sand beach is an extremely important area for green sea turtles <br /> (Chelonia mydas). As a former professor at UH-Hilo working with the National Marine <br /> Fisheries Service,we counted, measured,weighed and tagged sea turtles at Punaluu beach for <br /> over 30 years. It was one of the few places in Hawaii where the turtles could be found in the <br /> 70s and 80s when the population was threatened, hence an extremely important habitat for the <br /> turtles. <br /> The turtle population inceased significantly during the 80s and 90s,but was reclassified at an <br /> endangered species in 2004 due to a declining population. Today visitors come to the beach at <br /> Punaluu to see the turtles basking in the sun. An increase in residents and visitors adjacent to <br /> Punaluu Beach could have a significant impact on the marine environment and ecology of the <br /> area and a negative impact on the already endangered green sea turtle population. Please <br /> deny the Shoreline Management Area/SMA permit extension for Black Sands Beach LLC at <br /> Punaluu. <br /> Walter Dudley, PhD <br /> Emeritus Professor of Oceanography <br />