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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0345.013 2010-2012Resolution 140 -11- Against Page 1 of 2 Murashige, Laura 4 L From: Tony Nahacky [nahacky @gmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 19, 2011 10:05 AM To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: Resolution 140 -11- Against Importance: High Dear Chairman and County Council Members, all SEP 19 CO Ni PICcUt4crL 1 11 I respectfully request that you please get your information from the experts in this subject at DAR , Bishop Museum, or an ichthyologist. I would suggest speaking with those that have spent years in researching this field. Before considering removing my livelihood of 43 years in Hawaii please speak with Dr. Walsh at DAR, or Richard Pyle at Bishop Museum, or the foremost ichthyologist in the world Dr. Randall. This resolution is being put forward without scientific basis and in direct conflict of what the scientific community has found in their research. To give you an example I have included below what Dr. Randall has to say about Resolution 140 -11, please compare his credentials to those that are promoting this resolution. Sincerely, Anthony Nahacky ( Aquarium License 3210) "1 oppose Resolution 140 -11 banning the sale of aquatic life to the aquarium trade. Putting about 30 aquarium fish collectors in the County of Hawaii out of business will not achieve the objectives of this resolution. It will, in fact, have a negative impact. Many people come to our state to view Hawaiian fishes and other marine life at the Waikiki Aquarium or Maui Ocean Center, or as divers or snorkelers. How have they learned that our reef fishes are especially beautiful? They have seen them in public aquaria or in home aquaria around the world, or heard from someone who has. In short, the aquarium fish collectors are promoting tourism. One-fourth of the species of reef and shore fishes in the Hawaiian Islands are found nowhere else, the highest percentage of endemism in the world. If the State of Hawaii wants to stop the decline of the populations of our reef and shore fishes, it should do the foLLowing: Create more Marine Life Conservation Districts Like Kealakekua Bay. It is recommended that 20% of the coast Line of the islands be set aside as marine protected areas, where fish can grow to full adult size. The number of eggs a femaLe fish can produce increases exponentiaLLy with growth. Their young then recruit to the other 80% of our shores where fishing is aLLowed. Ban the use of Lay giLL nets. Hawaii is the onLy maritime state that has not done so. Promote fishing for Peacock Grouper (CephaLophoLis argus), known mainly by Comm. No. 34- 13 Ref. To: Presentee CottKa l Ref. Date SEP 21 2011 9/19/2011 Resolution 140 -11- Against Page 2 of 2 the Tahitian name Roi, that was introduced from the Tahiti and Moorea in 1956 to Kona, and has since spread throughout the State. An unexpected 18% have been tested positive for the toxin causing ciguatera. SmaLL reef fishes constitute up to 95% of the prey of this species. The test kit for this toxin shouLd be provided free to aLL requesting it. Ban the saLe of speared fish (aLLow spearing only for subsistence fishing). Ban spearfishing with a Light at night." Submitted by John E. RandaLL, PhD, former Senior IchthyoLogist at the Bishop Museum and member of the Graduate FacuLty in Zoology at the University of Hawaii. 9/19/2011