HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0862.016 2008-2010 Jul 19 10 08:29a Bi11 Stockiy 808 329 5100 p.l
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Aloha Ladies, Gentlemen and Member of the Hawaii County Council ,
I hope that all is going well with you. I see that it is a very busy time on the Hawaii County Council with
all that is on their plate. My name is Bill Stockiy owner of Stockly' Aquariums in Kaiiva Kona as you may
know I have been in the "Tropical Fish Business" for well over 30 years. Also, some of my you might
remember the days of "lch and Uc1 " the two giant frogfish that i caught off the Kona Coast and put on
display in a local restaurant in the 70's. The restaurant was Herkes Tavern in old town Kaiiva Kona. Local
people and our tourists were always amazed at such a strange reef fish. People who u;ere not able to
snorkel or dive when they come to Hawaii have always enjoyed the beauty of seeing these reef fish
aquariums in businesses around town. In fact, when the town was so small "back in the day", tourists
would ask if the local Chamber of Commerce encouraged these displays in the restaurants, dive shops,
hotel and other business to promotz our beautifjl resource. I have always had appreciation for our reef
resources, which is why 32 years ago Lisa Chorquet (dive operator) and I sat down at my home and tried
to figure out a way to manage the ccean user conflicts. My back ground is fisheries management and
renewable natural resource management. The rules and regulations for the tropical fish coilection on
the Kona coast in place today have met those criteria.
Sara Peck, UH sea grant advisor, was in my shop and mention that some of the members ef the WRFC
have been pushing their own agenda to ban fish collecting. Sara's comment came as quite siro ised and
i ask why. She named a particular member who is collecting fish in the FRA's, which protects over 35% of
our coast line. Since this renegade fishermen is fishing illegal, then all tropical fish collect "so s s,eculd be
banned. I knew this person and said the next time i see him that I speak to him about ,4 :er. it
comes to my attention that this person, does not carry a state driver's license cr bailey _;,,s: -,e is
subject to US laws since he is Hawaiian. Udell, that's another whole c n of worms 3t want to
go there. However, one fisherman's actions should not be punishable by all in the ropi e fist: snd sstry,
especially when these people are truly being good stewards of their resource.
Stockly's Aquariums has employed many people over the past 30 years. we have genera:ad taxes and
services that go back into our local economy. Although we have never been a shipper of Hawaiian reef
fish out of the state on a wholesale basis, ' depend on these fishermen for my product. , -t_s -et„ we
have over two dozen aquarium accounts on the Kona Coast with Hawaiian reef fish on d spia%,y. OLr
tropical fish store is a landmark in the Kona 'ndustrial Area, selling saltwater fish to the !cc hobbyist,
I am asking you to please read the following article, with an open mind, attached to th s testis- ony. It
is endorsed by the Hawaii Tropical Fish Association,
Mahalo nul Aloha,
5
Bill Stockly, presi , t
Stockly's Aquariums, Inc.
Comm. OW.
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Ref. To; 1 FI SDCi
Ref. gUL 2 0 2010
Jul 19 10 08:30a Bill Stockly 908 329 5100 p.2
THE TRUTH ABOUT TROPICAL FISH COLLECTING
UN Ocean Conference; "The ocean and its resources belong to all and no one group can lay claim the
ocean ". This is the basis of State and International Law regarding the World's Oceans. Our State and
DNLR regulate the Ocean to three miles out. We should not eliminate groups from Ocean usage but
regulate Oceans to maintain their resources. To outright ban any ocean user group would be illegal.
Tropical fish collectors love the ocean and agree with environmental groups about protecting and
maintaining our oceans resources for all future generations. Aquariums educate about marine animals
and ecosystems. Tropical fish collecting and the Hawaii aquarium trade promote Hawaii's economy and
tourism through the many aquarium enthusiasts who visit to see the fish. Aquarium fish around the
world our Hawaii's little ambassadors. Tourism is important and we want tourists to see our wonderful
oceans with all there beauty. Aquarium Fish Collectors avoid tourist areas.
The State of Hawaii DNLR has done a great job in both management and regulation of the States
Fisheries. In Kona, millions of dollars in fish counts and catch report data prove our industry is not only
sustainable but fish counts have increased. State laws creating 35% Fish Replenishment Area closures,
size limits, permits, and many other laws have been very effective in managing our State ocean
resources. Catch reports are done on time under penalty of law. Catch reports are accurate not only for
legal purposes but DNLR has stated current catches may be used to set future catch limits. The aquarium
Trade is one of the most regulated businesses in Hawaii. Permits and inspections are required from U.S.
Fish and Wildlife services, USDA, and certified veterinarians.
The ecology of the ocean is amazing. Reef fish are the most renewable resource producig one to five
million fry per spawning. Adult size may be reached within a few months. Radio labeled and genetic
studies show nearly 60% of the mil :ions of fry return to the reef from where they were spawned. Most
of these small fish do not reach adulthood. Eels, sharks, other predators and lack of food and el habitat
all reduce populations. In the end 1 -10% live to adult breeding stage. This is still 10,000- 50,000 adult
breeders per one original pair. Agearium fishermen collect the smaller size of abundant fish resulting in
little impactto reef populations. ''Survival of the fittest" even helps future populations. We are truly a
sustainable fishery.
Aquarium fishermen love the ocean and the fish. Everything is done to keep the fish alive and healthy,
With regular care, fish live longer in captivity. The national 7 billion dollar a year pet industry has many
workers who rely on products to be sold for maintaining aquarium fish. Those who rely on aquarium
fish and related products to feed their families depend on Hawaii's ! enewable fish resources.
Numerous Hawaii residents, especially, many part- Hawaiians, depend on Tropical Fish collecting to
support their families. The Hawaii businesses that have greatly benefited from the tropical fish industry
are: boat dealers, boat repair shops, dive shops, fishing supply stores, aquarium pet :c es, pet store
wholesalers, box suppliers, bag suppliers, oxygen gas suppliers, auarium maintenance, tourist
aquariums i Hotels, Sea Life Park, `Nalkiki Aquarium, gas static; Ts, computer repair, c f e supply,
interisland cargo shippers, Fish and Wildlife inspections fees t: nspections fees Department of
Agriculture fees, DNLR permit fees, ec.
Jul 19 10 08:30a Bill Stockl8 808 329 5100 p. 3
The Hawaii Tropical Fish Association (HTFA) represents a wide array of businesses and individuals
involved with the marine aquarium trade in the Hawaiian Islands. Our members include marine
aquarium fishermen, fish dealers and wholesalers, pet stores, fish breeders (aquaculturists), and
aquarium hobbyists. Our goal is to promote the marine aquarium trade in Hawaii, educate the public,
and ensure that our industry remains sustainable for future generations to enjoy.
Marine aquaria —both public and private —are vital tools for raising public awareness on the importance
of reefs and related conservation methods.Although Hawai`i provides only a small percentage of the
world's marine aquarium fish, we are renowned for our sustainable, humane, and environmentally -
friendly fishing methods (Wood 1985). Hawaii leads the world in using responsible collection methods
and providing the highest quality fish to aquarists worldwide. By law, Hawaiian aquarium fishes can be
captured using only small -mesh fence and hand nets, which does not harm the marine environment,
ensures that the fish stay healthy, and allows us to release any unwanted fish unharmed.
Because fish suitable for aquariums are small, abundant, and reproduce quickly, the aquarium
fishery in Hawai`i has proven to be sustainable. The fishery is regulated and monitored by the
state, and research conducted since 1997 by DLNR has shown that aquarium fish have not
declined in numbers over the past ten years. The same studies have shown that our fishery does
not harm coral or otherwise affect the health of the reef.
Code of Conduct
The code of conduct for the Hawaii Tropical Fish Association (HTFA) addresses the
responsibility of the tropical fish collector and the tropical fish exporter as well as the needs of
the environment and our customers. For more information see our website at Hawaii Tropical
Fish Association.
Individuals who are members of our association:
• Shall pledge, as a member of the Hawaii Tropical Fish Association - Oahu, compliance
with all the legislative roles, regulations and laws governing the collection of tropical fish
within the State of Hawaii.
• Shall submit full and accurate tropical fish catch and/or dealer reports in a timely fashion.
• Shall take all reasonable measures to minimize impacts to the environment; using only
net collecting techniques that do not harm coral or live rock.
• Shall strive to protect and conserve marine ecosystems, using only those collecting areas
that are compatible with long -term sustainable operations.
• Shall pledge that every fish collected will be held in an appropriate holding facility where
utmost marine animal husbandry is practiced.
• Shall collect and hold all marine specimens in a manner that will mai nair_ exceptional
quality and health for their customers_
• Shah facilitate the use of new technologies through aquaculture, where appropriate, to
maintain and enhance protection of the marine environment.
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