HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0345.004 2010-2012Resolution 14Opposed
David Dart
As county council members you are being asked to make a lot of decisions in many fields from finance
matters to fishery management. That is a tough task. My question to the council with all the topics you
have to keep up with, how many hours have you spent studying the issues surrounding the proposal for
a total fishery ban? How many "experts" in fishery management have you consulted? How many council
members have called up Dr. Walsh or Dr. Randall to speak about the aquarium fishery? Both these
gentlemen are easily accessible and are recognized experts in reef management. They have a wealth of
information for you to help you make an informed decision based on facts. How many county council
members besides Pete Hoffman have attended a West Hawaii Fisheries Council meeting?
I realize it's hard to be an expert in all fields, but it's not hard to consult experts. We at the West Hawaii
Fisheries Council since 1998 have put in over 3000 volunteer hours. Council members come from
ecology groups such as The Lost Fish Coalition and Nature Conservancy. There are two council members
with PHD's in marine biology. Other members represent native interests, resorts, and commercial
fishermen. Nearly 2000 members of the public have attended our meetings some on a regular bases.
We are constantly bringing in experts in marine sciences and guest speakers to keep us educated and up
to date on the condition of the reef and various fisheries. Dr. Bill Walsh attends every West Hawaii
Fisheries Council meetings bringing forth a wealth of scientific studies gleaned from hundreds of hours
of actual in the water fish surveys. All this wealth of information has made the members of the WHFC
very informed as to the conditions on the reef including fish populations. It is no wonder then why the
WHFC does not support the ban on the aquarium fishery.
The aquarium fishery is recognized by the WHFC as a viable fishery that can be managed. In fact several
management tools have been put in place to monitor and control the fishery. The Fish Replenishment
Areas is one example of the council's success. A major rules package putting more restrictions in place is
about to leave the attorney general's office for the second time. The new changes will put hundreds of
marine species off limit to the aquarium trade. A small white list of fish deemed by the experts to be
sustainable will be the only fish allowed to be caught. Bag limits and size limits on certain species will
ensure the sustainability of the fishery far into the future.
The passage of res 133 -11 essentially undermines and guts much of the effort of the WHFC and the
studies of Dr. Walsh. The WHFC's rules on gilinets was a model for the rest of the state to emulate. Res.
133 and 144 undermines that effort. These resolutions on the ban also call for abolishment of the efforts
that call for a portion of all FRA's to be set aside for no take areas that is mandated in Act 306. The
WHFC sub committee on no take areas is already far down that path and are working with local
communities and native groups to ensure public support. Why undermine all this effort and thousands
of hours of work of the WHFC? I don't understand the logic of contermanding the recommendations of
this group especially considering all the education that went into our decisions.
Comm. No. 3 11- .
Ref. To: Presented 6u $ G' I
Ref. Date SE j 1 21111