HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0345.012 2010-2012September 20, 2011
From:
Rebecca Most
Marine Science Department
University of Hawaii at Hilo
200 West Kawili St.
Hilo, HI 96720
rebeccamost@gmail.com
To:
Chairman Yagong and Hawaii County Council Members
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Suite 209
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: In Support of Resolution 140 -11
Aloha-
I would like to provide this written testimony in support of Resolution 140 -11, to
enact a ban on the selling of coral reef animals for the aquarium trade. This resolution is an
important step in protecting our precious coral reefs, and I urge you to pass this resolution
so that our reefs will be healthy for generations to come.
The aquarium trade has directly contributed to declines in important fish and
animals that provide essential ecosystem services that prevent algae blooms and support
the complex food web within the coral reef. The health of our coral reefs is also important
to support the tourism industry, which generate millions of dollars in revenue for the state
each year.
As a masters candidate in the Marine Science Department at the University of
Hawaii at Hilo, and formally a biological science technician at the National Park Service on
the Kona coast of Hawaii island, I have seen first -hand the effects of the aquarium trade in
fish abundances in West Hawaii. The long term monitoring data collected by the Division of
Aquatic Resources provides direct evidence that banning the aquarium trade can
substantially increase the numbers of important reef animals. Please support this ban on
the aquarium trade, as the profits that are made by the industry do not outweigh the
negative costs to the state.
Thank you for your time to consider this important resolution.
Mahalo ,
Rebecca Most
Comm. 2_
Ref. To: Iuis C°u rwi 1
Ref. Date SEP 2 1 2011