HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0880.000 2008-2010 BRENDA J. FORD - - - • • '
t Y H • Phone: (808) 326-5684
OF
Council Member Fax: (808) 329 -4786
V ;4 Email: bford @co.hawaii.hi.us
Council District 7 — Central Kona , ' , �
▪ ..
Hawai`i County Council
County of Hawai`i
Kailua Trade Center
75 -5706 Hanama Place, Suite 109
Kailua -Kona, Hawai'i 96740
GC
July 19, 2010
To: J Yoshimoto, Chair
` And Committee Members of Hawai`i County Council —
W.
From: Brenda J. Ford
Council Member, District 7
Subject: Presentation on August 2, 2010 re: Aquarium Trade Impacts and
Fish Sustainability.
I invited Rene Umberger to our Island to give a presentation in regard to Aquarium Trade
Impacts and fish sustainability.
Ms. Umberger is coming from the Island of Mau'i, and is only available on August 2, 2010.
Ms. Umberger is representing the Hawai`i Reef Fish Recovery Project. Ms. Umberger advocates
for stronger, more effective protections for Hawai`i's coral reef wildlife. She will be presenting
aspects of harvested species, the threats and impacts from common trade practices, conflicts with
existing laws, and the trade's economic consequences.
Ms. Umberger has logged over 10,000 dives as a scuba instructor, and dive guide on Maui since
1983. Her concern for Hawai`i's coral reefs led her to develop projects to address impacts to
these fragile ecosystems. These include partnering with marine tourism, conservationists, and
educators to create interpretive materials, developing environmental standards for marine tour
operations (which have been adopted statewide), and developing and organizing partnerships
with local fishing supply stores and the NOAA Hawai`i Marine Debris Action Plan, and
underwater clean ups that have removed and partially recycled over 4000 lbs of Ulua fishing
gear from entangled corals along heavily fished shoreline sites. In recent years her work has
focused on educating Hawai`i's communities and leaders on the impacts of the aquarium trade
and advocating for strong protections for Hawai`i's coral reef wildlife.
g0
Ref. To:
Ref. Date, UL 19 201
Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island
Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Please agendize this 30 minute presentation for August 2, 2010 in the Food and Energy
Sustainabiliy Committee.
BJF /lw
Cc: Jeannette Aiello, Committee Services