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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0730.042 2008-2010Murashige, Laura From: Zac and Nancy [znzorn @hawaiiantel.net] Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 3:46 PM To: counciltestimony©co.hawaii.hi us Subject: In Support of DAR Resolution 308 -10 4/6/2010 COMM -73 Dear Councilman Enriques and Members of the Hawaii County Council, Page 1 of 2 p /CowMca PIED 2010 APR 6 601 7 u 6 CC)UN CLERK ,ours F FUWJP4I I am writing to request your support of Resolution 308 -10. My husband and I are long time residents of Hawaii County District 6 and, specifically Kona Paradise subdivision. We previously submitted testimony via e-mail dated March 15, 2010. My husband and I attended the County Council meeting dated March 16, 2010 at which time 1 also gave verbal testimony. It is my understanding this matter has been referred to committee. Kaohe Bay, located one mile off Highway 11, at the bottom of our subdivision, is one of the few easily accessible beaches and reef systems in South Kona. Dr. Walsh's vast research has clearly documented the damage done to our beautiful reef resources by unrestricted collection of reef fish by commercial fish collectors. Before you is a resolution which includes a proposal to close a portion of Kaohe Bay to fish collectors and open a similar sized area in Keauhou to limited collection. While 1 realize the County Council might, perhaps, prefer to close more of our shoreline to commercial fish collection, that is not a good reason to not consider this resolution. Please regard Resolution 308 -10 as a small step toward better management of our reef systems since not passing this resolution would allow UNLIMITED collection of reef fish from Kaohe Bay. While I understand Councilwoman Ford's reluctance to open an area in her district, 1 feel the Council should consider the following: • Ease of accessibility. Kaohe Bay is fronted by an easily accessed public beach. The area in Keauhou is not accessible except by boat. • Potential for user conflict. User conflicts are not uncommon in Kaohe Bay due to its easy accessibility and the number of varied recreational users. The likelihood of user conflicts at the Keauhou location are minimized by the fact that it is not easily accessed by the public. • Limited versus unlimited collection. The Council should consider the fact that, at the present time, commercial fish collectors are taking unlimited numbers of reef fish out of Kaohe Bay. The resolution does not open the Keauhou area to unlimited collection, but, instead, allows limited commercial fish collection by lottery. This puts appropriate regulating agencies in control of maintaining a healthy balance between commercial interests and reef health. Healthy reef ecosystems are one of the foundations for a healthy, life sustaining ocean. As reported in the front page West Hawaii Today story of March 26, 2010, the world's coral reefs are in danger. Resolution 308 -10 would not only close Kaohe Bay to unrestricted commercial tropical fish collection, but would also limit the number of fish collecting licenses, create a 'white' list of species that can be collected, and impose a bag limit for large, mature yellow tang. While this resolution is not the be all to end all, it is a positive step toward empowering our regulating agencies to manage this precious resource which belongs to everyone and not just those who wish to cash it in for their own personal benefit. Co —7 ( 1 2 — ma. i'io. Ref. To: F i giatm C Ref. Dote APR 0 7 -20111 Mahalo, Zac & Nancy Zorn 4/6/2010 Page 2 of 2