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COUNTY OF HAWAI'I <br />RESOLUTION NO. 308 10 <br />STATE OF HAWAII <br />RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL <br />RESOURCES, DIVISION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES, TO ADOPT RULES <br />RECOMMENDED BY THE WEST HAWAII FISHERIES COUNCIL FOR THE <br />SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE WEST HAWAII AQUARIUM FISHERY <br />INCLUDING ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT OF FISH REPLENISHMENT AREAS, <br />ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AQUARIUM FISH SPECIES' "WHITE LIST," AND A <br />LIMITED ENTRY PROGRAM. <br />WHEREAS, the marine aquarium fishery in the State of Hawai`i is one of the most <br />economically valuable commercial inshore fisheries and the majority of the catch and value <br />comes from West Hawaii; and <br />WHEREAS, entry into this lucrative fishery is presently unlimited, the required <br />aquarium fish permit is free, and a commercial marine license is only $50 per year; and <br />WHEREAS, with the notable exception of the West Hawaii network of aquarium <br />protected areas (Fish Replenishment Areas), other aquarium management regulations are sparse; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, as reported in the Division of Aquatic Resource's recent Five Year Report <br />to the Legislature: <br />1. Yellow tang populations in the open areas have declined 47% over the past decade; <br />2. Over the same time period of time, the number of collectors has increased by 19% <br />and the total catch has increased by 25 %; and <br />3. Open areas have less than 30% of the number of yellow tangs as compared to the <br />protected areas; and <br />WHEREAS, the recent dumping of over 600 tropical fish, mainly yellow tang, and <br />reports of ongoing poaching prove that the our marine aquarium fish industry needs better <br />management and protection from irresponsible fishers, whether legal permit holders or illegal <br />dealers; and <br />WHEREAS, it is believed that this unique and precious resource cannot sustain such <br />growth without ample protection and regulation; and <br />