HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0333.006 2010-20128083294786 COUNTY COUNCIL KONA COUNTY COUNCIL KONA
County of Hawaii County Council
Hearing on Resolution No. 13011 and 14011
Council Chair Pilago and Council Members:
03:34:48 p.m. 09 -20 -2011 2 /4
t111 SEP 20
3
Bill 13011 makes some rather grand claims, most outrageously, that
our reefs are "being devastated by the collection of reef fish ". Any
perusal of the recent fish catch reports fled by collectors will clearly lay
this fallacy to rest. Devastation is defined as ruin or desolation - this
choice of wording is hardly applicable to the current condition of our
West Hawaii fisheries, it is just another attempt at sensationalism
directed at the uneducated and unaware.
When former Councilman Greenwell introduced his ban resolution,
all of you serving at the time, were invited to come out and
see, first hand, the collection process, the handling of the fish, and fish
transportation to the holding facility so you could witness
for yourselves the process from collection to delivery, as well as the
hard work, care, dedication, and the technical difficulty that goes into
insuring the health and well being of the fish. Thank you Councilman
Yagong and Councilman Hoffman for making the effort to be better
informed. To the rest of the council, again, we extend this invitation so
that you can make informed decisions about this industry.
Comm. No. 33
Ref. To: oresee
Ref. Date
033294786 COUNTY COUNCIL KONA COUNTY COUNCIL KONA 03:35:06 p.m. 09 -20 -2011 3 /4
In a front page article this past Saturday, in West Hawaii Today, Dr.
Walsh indicates with the enhanced protections currently being
reviewed by the Attorney General, the level of harvesting, is at a
comfortable level. Dr. Walsh goes on to say those allowable collected
species will likely decrease collection activity by no more than 2%, even
with the inclusion of these newly 100's of protected species. This is an
incredible win /win situation for the resource, the stake holders and the
West Hawaii community. The management plan is working!
In other words, a closure or ban on collecting is unwarranted. The
fishery has been validated by scientific assessment as sustainable.
The West Hawaii Fisheries Council has provided a forum to resolve
conflicts, bring all the stake holders together and foster a sense that
participation is in everyone's best interest. It is obvious that the people
who are the resource users, coupled with good scientific monitoring,
provide the best possible tools and information for managing this
fishery.
Whom do you want to believe? Those promoting their own self
interests, who continually try to interfere and meddle
K33294786 COUNTY COUNCIL KONA COUNTY COUNCIL KONA 03:35:24 p.m. 09 -20 -2011 4 /4
with our island resources using unfounded propaganda, maligning
the facts, having offered no documentation or proof of any of the
claims they repeatedly make? All of you are being asked to ignore
what scientific research has undeniably confirmed - the fishery
IS sustainable and all concerned are working together to insure its well
being for generations to come.
I urge each of you to vote for science. Demand scientific proof of the
outrageous claims being made by the proponents of this bill - it is your
obligation to all of us. This council needs to be focused on creating
jobs for Hawaii County, not killing them. Voting against passage of this
resolution is a good first step in that direction.
Good management of this resource is the key, closure is not.
Judith Perino
73 -4492 Kohanaiki Rd.
Kailua Kona