HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0862.068 2008-2010 Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura
From: Donna R. Goodale [donna @goodale.org]
Sent: Monday, July 19, 2010 10:43 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony for resolution #363 -10
Attachments: DonnaFishBanTestimonyJuly .2010.doc; NathanielFishBanTestimonyJuly .2010.doc
Dear County Clerk: Please find attached two testimonials for the County Council hearing this Tues on Resolution
#363 -10.
Please let me know that you have received this email and that the testimony is safely in your hands.
Thank you for your time.
Donna Goodale
donna @goodale.org
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7/19/2010
Testimony for Resolution #363 -10 (disallowing the collection of reef fish for aquariums)
Donna Goodale
73 -4503 Kohanaiki Rd.
Kailua -Kona HI 96740
donna @goodale.org
I am a teacher, and a biologist. I have been a member of this community for over 24
years. I am also a member of the West Hawaii Fisheries Council, but I am NOT speaking
for them this afternoon. I am speaking for myself, and for some of my students, the
children of Hawaii.
My position: Do not ban the collection of aquarium fish; instead regulate the
industry more intensely. However, if collectors continue their resistance to
management, then the best option may be to ban the fishery.
I would like to elaborate on 7 specific points about the aquarium fishery.
1. I know and respect several aquarium fishermen, and I would not want to see any
of them out of a job. However, without better management, they will run out of
fish, and be out of a job anyway.
2. Fisheries can crash from overfishing. Cod have been fished on the east coast of
North America for almost 1000 years. In only the last 50 -60 years, so many cod
were removed that the industry literally crashed. Each year more and more
juvenile fish are removed from the reef in Kona by aquarium fishermen.
3. In Hawaii, the reefs historically sustained hundreds of thousands of people. They
were managed by a Kapu system which regulated what, when, and how many fish
were taken. At this time there are no such regulations for the aquarium fishery. A
limited entry system would reduce the pressure on the juvenile reef fish by
"limiting" the total number of fishermen, and bag limits would reduce the total
number of fish taken daily, thereby increasing sustainability.
4. The establishment of Fish Replenishment Areas has had a positive impact on the
number of fish both on the reef and available for the aquarium fishermen. But
FRA's are not enough to sustain the ever increasing numbers of fishermen and
their increased catch.
5. The monetary value of the aquarium fishery is only a fraction of the value of the
marine related tourist industry. This marine tourist industry is based on having
healthy coral reefs with an abundance of fish.
6. The fish are a natural resource that belongs to the entire community.
7. Herbivores or algae eaters are one of the most important components of a coral
reef. A significant reduction in these fish can have an equally significant impact
on coral colonies. The majority of the fish taken for the aquarium trade are algae
eaters which can shift the balance of the reef away from coral, toward algae.
In summary, the fish belong to no one, though they are enjoyed as a natural resource by
many different people for many different reasons. They are an integral part of the reef,
and the delicate balance of this reef can be damaged by overfishing. A healthy reef with
an abundance of fish has a much higher monetary value to the state of Hawaii than the
aquarium fishery. However, management has and can sustain a healthy fishery. An
unhealthy fishery will not sustain either marine tourism or the aquarium fishery.
Therefore, we must have more and better fishery management tools and regulations, or
eliminate the fishery.
Thank you for your time and consideration.