Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0862.002 2008-2010 Page 1 of 1 Murashige, Laura ...... ................. ........ From: Keller Laros [kellerlaros @gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 11:27 AM To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: Hawaii County Council Resolution (363 -10) Attachments: Hawaii Res (363- 10).doc Aloha, Attached is my testimony about Hawaii County Council Resolution (363 -10) Please print and include to the council memebers when they meet at Keauhou on 7 -20 -10 as I wi Thank you. Sincerely, Keller Laros c_ Comao. $(O L . 2, Ref. To, Ref. Cote 'SUl� 2 4 2014 7/19/2010 • Hawaii County Council 75 -5706 Hanama Place, ..: Suite 109, �. Kailua -Kona, Hawaii 96740 Keller Laros Box 3227 Kailua -Kona, Hawaii 96745 808 - 895 -1791 July 15, 2010 Aloha, I am writing to express my support for Hawaii County Council Resolution (363 -10) recommending the DLNR disallow the collection of reef fish for export in the waters surrounding Hawaii Island. I have been scuba diving in Kona since 1984 and to date I have over 9,000 logged scuba dives. I have witnessed a noticeable decline in the number and diversity of tropical fish especially the species prized by commercial collectors. In just the past month alone I have seen a unique individual fish disappear from dive sight after the visit of a commercial fish collector. In March 2010 a pair of Long Fin Anthias began living at a very popular dive sight. A species so special in fact that their picture is on the cover of the book Shore Fishes of Hawaii by John E. Randal (Image attached) Though shy they were seen on every dive I conducted there until June 27 when a fish collector's boat came and dropped anchor near the fish. (Image attached) That afternoon I did not find the fish. Since that time the female has departed. (image attached) I believe it may have been as a result of commercial fish collecting. Additionally as we departed the dive sight that night the collector boat was still there, though showing no lights as are required by boating rules and regualtions I believe that fish collectors are stripping our waters of fish and harming the environment. I hope that the Hawaii County Council and the DLNR will stop this destructive activity. I hope that tropical fish can be raised in shore -based facilities such as the Sea Horse Farm at Keahole Point rather than being taken from the ocean. Thank you. Sincerely, Keller Laros hi Pair of Long Fin Amh m, March 19, 2010 2 v figP Fish Collector Boat anchored, J n 27 2010. ® \, « \ a > < ya a= .. »«� : . w >� � .. . x .. � «» . . . ... 3 Male Long FIR June 28, 2010 ^ ^^