Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0345.009 2010-2012Murashige, Laura CG kf`1. 3 From: Eric Koch [ekoch492 @gmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 19, 2011 8:45 AM To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: Res - 140 -11 and 130 -11 Attachments: Eric M. Koch Testimony Hawaii County Council.docx Mil SEP 19 Page 1 of 1 PkJJt4NCU 9 27 Please see attached email testimony for the 2 aquarium bans of which I am aginst Eric Koch Comm. No. 3 Li-g.9 �7 Ref. To: Preaearwr► (P +- L► Ref. Date S E P 2 9/19/2011 • 9/18/2011 Aloha County Council, TESTIMONY My name is Eric Koch and I am a owner /operator of an aquarium business in the County of Hawaii. I have been fishing for tropical's for five years and have been fortunate enough to learn a tremendous amount of knowledge about the ocean and its inhabitants. I do not support this resolution, and as a registered voter I would like my opinion considered. Below I have provided my thoughts on the content of this resolution: "WHEREAS, the aquatic life of the reefs within the State of Hawaii are being devastated by the collection of reef fish and other aquatic life, especially native fish species" Where is the proof that the reefs are being devastated? This is strong language considering there is no proof to back this claim up, and in fact there is plenty of evidence that contradicts this statement. Saying the reefs are being devastated is an opinion of a biased author. I draw this conclusion because there is so much evidence to the contrary and I only hear harsh language like this from special interest groups. According to the Aquatic Biologist for Kona, William Walsh PhD, he is comfortable with the current populations of fish. He makes no mention of devastation. Just the other day he made statements with respect to this fishery in West Hawaii Today. See West Hawaii Today from September 18th, 2011 http: / /www.westhawa iitoday.com /sections /news /Iota I- news /tighter- rules - tropics I- fish - collection- eved.htm I I don't understand the native fish species portion. As far as I know, we only catch native fish species to sell and there is only three or four non native species which no one wants, aquarium or food fishermen. "WHEREAS, the County of Maui has already passed legislation to prevent further degradation of their reefs and aquatic life" What legislation did Maui pass that does all of this? The aquatic life operations bill? The animal control bill? Saying these two bills prevent further so called degradation is far reaching, and not accurate. These two bills are so shortsighted, they passed a set of rules that apply to land based activity, yet do not provide funding, training, or any measure of enforcement at any level. Poorly thought out provisions, No enforcement or funding capabilities and furthermore they do not prohibit Aquarium fishermen from operating or catching fish. I could go there tomorrow and catch fish. Trying to mirror what they did in Maui would mean this resolution would be totally different. What this council is asking for is prohibiting the sale of aquatic life for aquarium purposes....that is not what Maui did. Check the facts. "WHEREAS, despite the provisions set forth in Section 188F -4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, West Hawaii Regional Fishery Management Area Plan, scientific research proves that collection of reef fish diminishes the number of fish reaching reproductive age, thereby reducing the number of adult fish contributing to the genetic pool, and that while some of our reef fish are increasing, specific species have not increased in numbers" First, of course any form of fishing will reduce the number of adult fish reproducing, anytime you take something from the sea, you will be left with less, the question is does it have an effect? The answer is no if the fishery is understood, and well managed which is the case here. Regarding the genetic pool. Section 188 F- 4 is the implementation of Fish Replenishment Areas which protect fish stocks and biodiversity and mitigate user conflict. With 35% of the coastline off limits, and the fact that the remaining coastline has plenty of fish making it to adulthood, it is silly to assert that the genetic pool could be affected. As far as fish populations increasing and some decreasing, notice that most of the decreases not only occurred in the open areas, but also in the replenishment areas as well...this indicates a natural process of ebb and flow. Fish populations change on a daily basis and it is normal for species to have ups and downs. This is obvious if you understand the facts "WHEREAS, in an economy based on tourism, the continued protection of our reefs and its inhabitants increases the enhancement of the tourist experience bringing millions of dollars into the State coffers" With a down economy, people are not traveling nearly as much as the past and Hawaii is hurting. Maybe putting all of our eggs in one basket is not the only approach. Industry outside of tourism does exist and fishing is one of them and these jobs can peacefully coexist with tourism. On Big Island I am unaware of tourism being affected by what I do. The local dive shops I support haven't had issues with my job. We get along great. Just because tourism brings in the lion share of revenue, does not mean that all other industries should be pushed to the side or shut down completely. "WHEREAS, the aquatic life of the reef protects the reef from being overgrown by algae and also provides food for larger pelagic fish which in turn sustain humans with food supplies" It is true that herbivorous fish and invertebrates feed on algae, thus providing suitable substrate and conditions conducive for coral growth. It is also true that Aquarium fishermen catch certain types of herbivorous fish but not all of them. Here in Hawaii yellow tang and kole consist of the vast majority of the overall amount of fish collected. We don't come close to catching them all in the open areas, and they are totally protected in the closed areas. Not to mention there are so many other types of herbivorous fish that we don't catch at all like manini, kala, uhu....just to name a few. Obviously the reefs on Big Island don't have algae problems like Maui' reefs and that is because Maui is polluted from overdevelopment(hotels) and injection wells and also because Maui doesn't have deep clean water adjacent to the shoreline, there is a shallow sandy shelf between the four islands of the Maui nui. These sediments store nutrients and algae are more likely to grow. The notion that the reefs provide food for pelagic or open water fish. It is true that certain types of fish such as opelu, akule, and nehu provide sustenance to fish like ahi or mahi mahi, but the aquarium reef fish are not really considered to be on the menu. The only way you could say that aquarium reef fish feed offshore fish is the fish larvae itself, and while true keep in mind that all inshore and offshore fish spawn provides food constantly to the ecosystem as a whole. Saying that us taking yellow tangs will affect pelagic fish is sensationalizing a non important issue "WHEREAS, the Council of the County of Hawaii desires to protect the reefs of the State of Hawaii and its aquatic life, and promote increasing reef fish population that will continue to attract and sustain the tourist industry of our State" We can promote increasing fish populations with science and sound management. This has been the goal here in West Hawaii for the last decade. Tourist will come as they always have. The aquarium industry has been around for over forty years and I seriously doubt that tourist have left unhappy because of what the aquarium fishermen have done. We, as Hawaii residents, can work together towards improving our island but it doesn't happen when we point fingers at our neighbors and have their way of life taken away because it feels good. None of us our perfect and we all should be more patient, and understanding of our fellow man and not so quick to cast judgment on issues we don't fully understand. I would like to personally thank all of the county council members for allowing time to read my written testimony. Respectfully, Eric M. Koch Kailua -Kona, HI This undermines the existing law where as it has been defined and in practice for over ten years. The Fish Replenishment areas(35 %) of coastline has been set aside in West Hawaii so why shut a managed fishery down when its creating revenue, is sustainable, and provides jobs for many households in our county?