HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0862.028 2008-2010 Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura
From: luke mason [octofishboy @yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 1:45 PM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: kkonan @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: reef fish collection resolution testimony
Due to our lack of regulation in this area the county of hawai'i has become an offering ground of rare
and exotic tropical fish for the majority of tropical fish tanks around the U.S. and indeed countries all
around the world. It is madness to allow anyone who wants to make a quick buck to go to nearly any
spot around these diverse coastal waters and take, effectively, as many of these rare, often endemic,
beautiful fish as they can carry. This is permanently changing the appearance and health of our already
threatened reef system.
This outdated attitude of just harvesting from the ocean for personal gain, and never giving anything
back to balance your intrusion in this delicate environment must be stopped before there is nothing left
to take. Being on the water for a living I am able to see more and more people coming to take advantage
of our slack under regulated fish collecting opportunities. Why allow our fragile resources be used up
just for lining a couple of individuals pockets?
Tourists come from all over the world to see the amazing underwater ecosystems that still exist in
hawai'i. The money coming from these travellers is vitally important to the county and state economy.
Let's make sure we keep a reason for them to come. Without taking these fish they can be viewed over
and over again by thousands of people visiting and residing on our island. A fish in the water is worth
much more than one in a tank or dead in transit.
We must take action now. Let us not look back in five or ten years and know we could have prevented
this tragic loss in beauty, diversity and economic opportunities.
Yours sincerely and hopefully,
Luke Mason 808 721 5249.
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Ref. To; II
Ref. Date L 2 0 2010
7/19/2010