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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0880.001 2008-2010 BRENDA J. FORD M . o;, Phone: (808) 326 -5684 Council Member 77 Fax: (808) 329 -4786 Council District 7 – Central Kona �V e Email: bford@co.hawaii.hi.us Hawai `i County Council County of Hawai i Kailua Trade Center , 75 -5706 Hanama Place, Suite 109 Y . Kailua -Kona, Hawai`i 96740 A July 28, 2010 re: Comm 880 To: J Yoshimoto, Chair And Hawai`i County Council Committee Members From: Brenda J. Ford 000 Council Member, District 7 Subject: Aquarium Trade Impacts & Fish Sustainability Presentation Materials The attached "Hawai`i Island Specific Impacts" is a copy of the presentation by Rene Umberger, to be held during the Food & Energy Sustainability Committee on August 2, 2010 in Hilo. Please provide a copy to each Council Member and the appropriate staff. If you have any questions feel free to email or call our office. Mahalo. BJF /lw Corms. No. ?Ea.( Ref. To F f FE Sc Ref. Dote„l}1Jf 0 2 20M — Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer 7/28/2010 Rene Umberger Hawaii's Coral Reef Wildlife Trade "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else... " John Muir July 2010 Healthy coral reefs are imperative to the socio- economic well -being of Hawaii's residents Benefits: Economic Physical (protection & food) Educational Biological & Ecological Social /Recreational Sustained for Future Cultural & Spiritual Generations For example: Kona coast reefs are estimated to annually contribute to the State's economy a net of over $12.5 million from resident /tourist snorkeling and diving and property values. HCRI, NOAH — Economic value of Ha wail's Nearshore Reef z "'-- - . .- 4--;- IJVV Aspects Reviewed 1 7/28/2010 Healthy coral reefs are imperative to the socio- economic well -being of Hawaii's residents Many aquarium trade practices are non - sustainable, threaten reef health & diminish its beauty • Removes Hawaii's most beautiful reef species • Removes algae eating fish • Removes species providing essential ecosystem services • Reduces overall marine life abundance • Damages and breaks coral Are the FRA's Working? YeS: Yellow Tangs and Kole populations have increased in the protected areas. And... NO: 7 of the top 10 collected fish have DECREASED in overall density NO: Excluding Yellow Tangs from data shows an overall DECREASE of 11% It depends on . 2 7/28/2010 30 r c�ua 25 Y _ xo 15 l.??L x[„xo 2e!n] 2nnx x?n3 2dn4 2 20N 2407 M6 2M9 F figure 4. Overall changes in Yellow Tang abundance in FR" NIPAs and Open areas, 1999.2iNi'9. A ellow bats indicate mean density (June -Nov) fellow' `fang Young- of- Year(VOY} Y01' are not includcr in trend line data. decrease of fellow Tangs in open areas to below baseline levels is attribtttable to the above fatim rte [volt as an irlcreaw in the number of aquarium collectors and collected animals relative to the perW when the FIRM were established (Figure 1). The continuing decline offellow Tang in areas open to collecting has prompted several additional proposed management actions including restricting which species can be collected (See Species of Special Concern section) and the establishment of a limited entry program l'or the fishery. Re in 2009 is the highest in the past H }ears which is likely to ameliorate current down%vard trends at least over the short term. DLNRiDAR Report to the Twenty° -Fifth Legislature Regular Session of 2010: REPORT ON THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF EFFECTIVENESS OF THE @ EST HAN _AI'I REGIONAL FISHERY AV NAGE LENT AREA "Sustainability" Does Not Translate Equally the ability to maintain, support, endure... Fishery: "Maximum Sustainable Yield" Coral Reefs: Wildlife serves complex, fundamental biodiversity and ecosystem functions — many unknown requirements & relationships between species Beauty /Esthetic Value: It is impossible to diminish populations of coral reef's most beautiful wildlife without greatly diminishing the natural beauty of the place. 3 7/28/2010 Top 20 Collected Species Endemism: the ecological state of being unique to a place 45% qW Hawai' i has the highest rate of endemism on the planet: 23% Precious natural legacy Most Desirable Hawaii Endemics 1. Potter's Angelfish 2. Multiband Butterflyfish 3. Milletseed Butterflyfish 4. Hawaiian White- Spotted Toby 5. Psychedelic Wrasse 6. Saddle Wrasse 7. Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse 8. Blue- Striped Butterflyfish 9. Hawaiian Dascyllus 11 ... there is no replacement pool for many of the targeted species, should over collection or a habitat shift occur, as a result of the marine ornamental trade." HawaiiAudubon Society. 2004. "The Marine Aquarium Trade in the Western Hemisphere and the lndo- pacific Region. "32pp s LI 7/28/2010 Negative Impacts of Marine Aquarium Trade Threatens Survival of Wild Populations • Especially in the Targeted Endemic Species • Selective Harvest of Juveniles "Trade in ornamental marine fishes tends to be characterized by extreme selective harvesting. For all species, juveniles are preferentially targeted by aquarium fish collectors..." From Ocean to Aquarium - The Global Trade in Marine Ornamental Species, United Nations Environmental Program I Negative Impacts of Marine Aquarium Trade • Threatens Survival of Wild Populations • Especially in the Targeted Endemic Species • Selective Harvest of Juveniles • Removal of Pre - reproductive Fish • Interrupts Food Chains • Causes Reproductive Failure • Alters Habitat • Fisheries use Minimum Size Limits • This Standard is Absent from Hawaii Collection Rules 5 7/28/2010 Negative Impacts of Marine Aquarium Trade • Threatens Survival of Ecosystems Relationships to Overall Ecology Complex life histories /food webs Cleaner wrasse removes parasites High biodiversity with resulting complex interactions among species is necessary for coral reef stability. The Precautionary App roach: States shall be more cautious when information is uncertain, unreliable or inadequate. The absence of adequate scientific information shall not be used as a reason for postponing or failing to take conservation and management measures." 1 995 UN Agreement on Straddling Fish Stocks and I Iiglily Migratory Fish Stocks;,995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries Non - Sustainable Practices • Husbandry Issues 40% of species currently traded (worldwide) may not be suitable for the average aquarist. - Sadovyand Vincent 2002 An unsuitable species: More than 50% die within a month of capture The middle ground: More than 50% die between 1 and 3 months. The "best organisms ": Most survive for more than 3 months. -- Robert Fenner, author, The Conscientious Marine Aquarist L 1.1 7/28/2010 igh Mortality Species Shipped Achilles Tang From the Top 20 list Psychedelic Wrasse Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse Chevron Tang Ornate Wrasse M - Teardrop Butterflyfish �. Fourspot Butterflyfish These species all occur on various industry unsuitable species lists. Thev should be left on the reefs. Hawaii Multiband Butterflyfish Moorish Idol Bluestripe Butterflyfish - 610 Fish at Honokohau is a drop in the bucket This is a normal part of the trade Thousands die each year: In collector's possession In dealers possession During shipping 7 7/28/2010 Non- Sustainable Practices 0 Mortality Rates Within the Industry Chain of custody: From reef capture through each stage of holding, shipping and retailing before reaching the end user /hobbyist • Dead prior to shipping: 1% — 6% • Dead in transit: 1% —15% • Dead at retailer before sale: 6% — 20% • Dead total before reaching end user: 8%-41% � �r Non- Sustainable Practices *Mortality factors The biggest factors are stress and starvation from being captured, bagged, crowded and shipped. (Rubec & Cruz, 2005) ➢ Fish starved for 2 to 4+ days prior to shipping. Starvation + bagging + shipping = importer DOAs . ➢ Handling removes protective mucous coating, inviting infection ➢Exposure to air for just a few seconds takes a fish 30 days for full recovery ➢ Swim bladders pierced in deep water for faster surfacing E? Internet sales "Arrive alive" guarantee applies to just 10 of Hawaii's Top 20 fish 7/28/2010 How Long Do Fish Live? On a reef: Yellow Tangs can live for 40+ years (Bushnell & Claisse, 2007) 20 — 30 year olds commonly found with an average of 11 years. (Parrish & Claisse 2004) Bluespine unicornfish: at least 58 (HI Div. of Aquatic Resources) Parrotfish: at least 33 (Choat & Robertson 2002) Under Expert .are: *Waikiki Aquarium: Potter's Angel: 14 years Sailfin Tang: 15 years Raccoon Butterflyfish: 22 years `Randall and Delbeek, Sept. 2009 The Bottom Line: In a Hobby Tank "Virtually none ( <1 %) live more than a year in captivity." (Robert Fenner) K 7/28/2010 Ethical Concerns Marine Ornamental Trade = Disposable pet trade Driving mainland companies profits: "...the livestock necessary to drive purchases of lucrative dry - goods. "* (e.g. a collector sells a tang for $3 which retails for $30, but the tank, lighting, pump, chemicals, etc. sells for over $1000) Is this in line with how we value our reef animals? *Robert Fenner defending the high mortalities on his website: www. wetwebmedia .com /marlifeusebiz.htm Animal Cruelty Law Reef animals collected for aquariums are pets, not food. Hawaii's animal cruelty law, prohibits: starving, killing, substantially injuring or transporting animals in a cruel or inhumane manner — all documented trade practices. Common trade practices are inhumane and illegal 10 "Trimming fins and sharp scalpels is Necessary [sic] and common." aquatouch.com 7/28/2010 Economic Consequences Added Value Comparison (2002 data): • West Hawaii Reef Recreation $8 million annually* Hundreds employees /sub - contractors ** • Aquarium Trade (est. profits) $682,000 annually* Dozens sub - contractors /employees* Is � .f1 * "Cesar, et al. 2002, Economic Valuation of Hawaiian Reefs ** Markrich, 2003, The Hawaii Boat Industry Conflicts Between Collecting & Wildlife Viewing Aquarium collecting depletes the fish populations and reef beauty snorkelers and divers seek to enjoy. 80 Yellow Tangs are worth $270 to a collector —the price of two tickets on a dive trip. "The increase in aquarium fish benefits the recreational snorkel and dive industry as there are more fish for their clients to see." Yellow Tangs commonly live 20 -30 years on a reef, contributing to it's health and beauty for all in Hawaii to enjoy. Cesar, et at Economic Valuation of Hawaiian Reefs 11 Or, they can be captured and sold, benefiting few. 7/28/2010 Conclusion & Progress Report 1970's & 1990's: Communities asked for collecting bans 1998: Reef experts & DLNR made recommendations: 26 species ... needing some form of immediate protection (D. culko) Requirements for dealer licenses /reporting in the works (D. GUiko,a. Clark) `08 and `09 State legislative efforts raised awareness Mayor Tavares and Maui County Council Working within County Jurisdiction to address community calls for ban. Pending ordinances requiring County licenses and adherence to State animal cruelty laws Mahalo for supporting efforts to keep Hawaii's coral reef wildlife where it belongs..... in Hawaii. 12