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Murashige, Laura % }p, 2
From: S Mudd [fishermud @yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2010 3:40 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Hawaii County Council Resolution 363 -10 written testimony
Attachments: testimony 101910 wed e.doc
Attached is my written testimony regarding Hawaii County Council Resolution 363 -10. I have also
included my testimony in the email in case there is a problem with the attachment.
Sincerely,
Scott Mudd
COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII RESOLUTION NO 363 10
A RESOLUTION TO RECOMMEND THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL
RESOURCES DISALLOW THE COLLECTION OF REEF FISH FOR EXPORT IN THE
WATERS SURROUNDING THE ISLAND OF HAWAII
To Members of the District 8 Council of the Big Island,
I would like to offer my written, point by point testimony regarding the reintroduction of Hawaii
County Council Resolution 363 -10.
First, this resolution is predicated on the idea that the human impact on the on the environment
is overwhelmingly a negative one (see "Wheras" 1,2,and 3). True or not, arguments such as
these that utilize such grand and over - generalized statements in order to prove a point
generally appeal to the emotions rather than logical, rational thought. The resulting legislation
is more often than not of an inferior quality since the facts have not been properly and
methodically researched by our elected officials before being enacted. This type of persuasion
is not suited to the democratic process that we are a part of in the US, and decisions made in
this manner tend to benefit a vocal minority with a particular agenda, rather than the welfare of
the wider community. Instead, this resolution's sponsors would be better served by using,
referring to (AND providing for public scrutiny) vetted scientific and statistical proof in order to
better persuade and serve their constituencies.
Second, regarding the tropical fish collecting industry in Kona, if even half of the negative
allegations regarding the current state of Kona's tropical fisheries were accurate, the reef
would have died and the industry would have collapsed from lack of fish long ago. One key
fact regarding the state of the industry is that fish prices have steadily decreased for the past
year owing to the overabundance of tropical fish along the Kona coast. The fact that tropical
fish populations have remained stable or have increased over the past few years directly
contradicts a small but vocal minority's assertions in its attempts to shut down the tropical fish
collecting industry.
In order to prevent any irrational, insubstantial, and unjust legislation from being passed, I
would ask council to members to: NOZ.
�Com =w N o
10/18/2010
Ref. J
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