HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0290.001 2024-2026GNM./'.10
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From: A..: _
Cory
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Sunday, May 18, 2025 10:08 PM
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Subject: ` .
comments on Res 181 Finance May 20
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comments on Resolution 181-25 re aquaculture
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for Finance Committee, 9 AM Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Hilo chambers
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from Cory Harden
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TheUH::aquacultyre center hosts many commendable projects. But please ask these questions -about the proposed
p�roj'ect:�:
1-At what -point is an exemption_ notice, Environmental Assessment (EA), or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
required?
HRS §11-200.1-1(b) Agencies and applicants shall ensure that exemption notices, EAs,"and EISs are prepared. at
the earliest practicable time. This shall assure an early, open forum for discussion of adverse effects -and available
alternatives, and that the decision -makers will be enlightened to any environmental consequences of the
proposed action prior to decision -making.
2=What',arepffe.levels of contaminants and pollutants in Hilo Bay, and how will they affect the fish being raised and the
people"wRNrr nsume them?
3=H'ow>wilffli'erisks:.of this confined animal feeding operation be mitigated? These include:
s' SIIUti6n4rbm fish -excrement, uneaten fish food, and pharmaceuticals.
Disease, exacerbated by overcrowding, that can infect farmed fish and wild fish.
Fish escapes. (A few months ago, 27,000 fish escaped from a Norwegian fish farm when part of the cage sank.).
.- Weakening of the gene pool for wild -fish, since escaped farm fish are bred with traits desirable for fish farms, but
compatible with survival in the wild.
Unmooring of cages, which can be carried long.distances by ocean currents, wreaking havoc on ocean and reef
ecosystems.
Over -fishing in other parts of the world to supply feed for fish farms.
4-What agency provides oversight to ensure that best practices are followed?
F.. In closing,.I commend the aquaculture center on two points. First, it is raising ornamental fish as an alternative to taking
Wild fish off our reefs for the destructive aquarium trade. Many of the captured fish die before even reaching an
aquarium, and many more die in the hands of inexperienced aquarium owners,, creating an endless demand for more fish.
Only a, small number of people.in Hawai'i benefit from aquarium fishing, while out-of-state corporations make money
qt; -'_selling-fish tanks and other aquarium equipment. But raising ornamentals in captivity, as the center..is doing, is -acceptable
to. -many environmentalists.
_ It -is also -'commendable that the center supports local :food production, something which is becoming more-a-nd,in6re vital
to our well °being._ =`
Comm. ,N" aL =o( Y
1 'Ref. To: -
_ Ref. safe MAY 2 0 2025,--
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*htt_ps://oceanographicniagazine.com/news/bounty-set-for-salmon-that-escaped-a-fish-farm-in-norway/