HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0333.007 2010-2012/ 83294786 COUNTY COUNCIL KONA COUNTY COUNCIL KONA 03:33:35 p.m. 09 -20 -2011 2 /2
Resolutions 130 -11 and 140 -11 Opposed 4Ufl SEP 20 PPi 3 r 7
My name is David Dart. I'm a University of Hawaii graduate, a West- Hawwaii Fisheries- Council
member, and a commercial fisherman for the last 35 years partic#Ajnaps a perntt her in
several science based north pacific and Hawaii fisheries as do my sons.
In speaking with Dr. Bill Walsh this morning he wondered just like I do what new scientific
evidence has come to light that would even cause the council to put this on the agenda? What
new scientific evidence has come along to challenge and put at risk all the work done by the
West Hawaii Fisheries Council? Last year the county council passed resolution 308 essentially
supporting the work done by the community based West Hawaii Fisheries Council. The state
legislator rejected an aquarium ban when they killed that part of SB 580 and instead changed
the wording to create two new MLCD's (Marine Life Conservation Districts) in Maui. What new
scientific evidence has come to light since then to go against the Hawaii State Legislator?
We are under attack from a eco carpetbagger from Maui, Rene Umberger. When I say "we" I
mean DLNR. William Aila the head of DLNR, Dr. Bill Walsh, the lead marine biologist in charge
of fish surveys in West Hawaii, the West Hawaii Fisheries Council and the entire aquarium fish
industry.
On her web site forthefishes, Umberger accuses the head of DLNR William Aila of "spinning
science regarding long term department data favoring the trade ". She accuses Dr. Walsh of
favoring the aquarium trade so he can keep his job. I believe both men are much more
professional than that.
Ms. Umberger ended up with egg on her face for making such a big stink in Maui over all the
desolate reefs in Maui as a result of the over harvesting of aquarium reef fish. When the DLNR
facts came out it proved that less than 2% of fish coming off the Maui reefs were aquarium
related. What has she done to protect 98% of the fish leaving the Maui reefs? Nothing
Ms. Umberger deals in fear when she stated tourists won't come to Hawaii because the fish
are gone. In West Hawaii due to the FRA's and MPA's 36% of the coast line has been in a
protective status from aquarium collection for over ten years and some MPA's over 20 years
making it the largest reserve system of it's kind in the country. Our island visitors will always
have miles of pristine reef areas and hundreds of dive sites in which to view large fish
populations in easily accessible areas around all major resorts and the entire coast line of
Kailua -Kona.
Let's don't let an eco carpetbagger from Maui dealing in emotion, set the agenda for West
Hawaii. The West Hawaii Fisheries Council, a community working group from the Big Island
working closely with Dr. Walsh and his staff have, come up with a blueprint for a sustainable
fishery that will can be used to manage other fisheries. Don't support a resolution that will
throw away years of hard work from a community group comprised of Big Island eco groups,
commercial fisherman and scientists.
Shelve resolutions 130 -11 and 140 -11. Mahalo David Dart
Comm. No. 3 Ref. To: °reseetN GK_ C .••-
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