HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 308 Draft 01 2008-2010COUNTY OF HAWAI'I
RESOLUTION NO. 308 10
STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL
RESOURCES, DIVISION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES, TO ADOPT RULES
RECOMMENDED BY THE WEST HAWAII FISHERIES COUNCIL FOR THE
SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE WEST HAWAII AQUARIUM FISHERY
INCLUDING ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT OF FISH REPLENISHMENT AREAS,
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AQUARIUM FISH SPECIES' "WHITE LIST," AND A
LIMITED ENTRY PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, the marine aquarium fishery in the State of Hawai`i is one of the most
economically valuable commercial inshore fisheries and the majority of the catch and value
comes from West Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, entry into this lucrative fishery is presently unlimited, the required
aquarium fish permit is free, and a commercial marine license is only $50 per year; and
WHEREAS, with the notable exception of the West Hawaii network of aquarium
protected areas (Fish Replenishment Areas), other aquarium management regulations are sparse;
and
WHEREAS, as reported in the Division of Aquatic Resource's recent Five Year Report
to the Legislature:
1. Yellow tang populations in the open areas have declined 47% over the past decade;
2. Over the same time period of time, the number of collectors has increased by 19%
and the total catch has increased by 25 %; and
3. Open areas have less than 30% of the number of yellow tangs as compared to the
protected areas; and
WHEREAS, the recent dumping of over 600 tropical fish, mainly yellow tang, and
reports of ongoing poaching prove that the our marine aquarium fish industry needs better
management and protection from irresponsible fishers, whether legal permit holders or illegal
dealers; and
WHEREAS, it is believed that this unique and precious resource cannot sustain such
growth without ample protection and regulation; and
WHEREAS, the Hawai`i County Council recognizes that there is a need to more
effectively manage the West Hawaii aquarium industry through several different management
approaches; and
WHEREAS, the West Hawai`i Fisheries Council has recently submitted a number of
recommended rule amendments to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, which
include a variety of management proposals that will protect the tropical fish resource without
unduly restricting the tropical fish trade business: and
WHEREAS, these rule amendments include:
1. The implementation of adaptive management of the 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 at Keauhou for limited collecting (by
lottery) thus maintaining a balanced proportion of open -to- closed fish collection
areas;
2. The creation of a tropical fish "white list" specifying which species can be collected
for the aquarium trade and a bag limit for large reproductively mature yellow tang;
and
3. The proposal of Limited Entry regulations for West Hawaii that would ensure
participation in fish collection for the aquarium industry requires a high level of skill,
experience, and regulatory compliance by fishers, protects the economic value of the
reefs and their marine life, and provides economic incentive to fishers to promote
good stewardship of the reefs; 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 the package of rule amendments, proposed by the West Hawaii Fisheries Council, which
include Limited Entry regulations, adaptive management of Fish Replenishment Areas, and a list
specifying which tropical fish are allowed for collection and trade.
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
Count) oft Iawm1 on
ATTEST:
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF
HAWAII that the County Clerk shall forward copies of this resolution to the Chairperson of the
State Department of Land and Natural Resources; the Administrator of the Division of Aquatic
Resources; the members of Hawaii State Legislature; the members of County Council of Kauai,
Maui, and the City and County of Honolulu; the Honorable William P. Kenoi, Mayor, County of
Hawai`i; the Honorable Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., Mayor, County of Kauai; the Honorable
Charmaine Tavares, Mayor, County of Maui; and the Honorable Mufi Hannemann, Mayor, City
and County of Honolulu.
Dated at , Hawai`i, this day of , 2010.
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawai'i
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER
COUNCIL MEMBE' O i TYCO WAI`I
3
Reference:
RESOLUTION NO.
ROLL CALL VOTE
ENRIQUES
FORD
GREENWELL
HOFFMANN
IKEDA
NAEOLE- BEASON
ONISHI
YAGONG
YOSHIMOTO
AYES
NOES
ABS EX
C- 730 /HSEDC
308 10