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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0345.019 2010-2012Murashige, Laura From: Ron Tubbs [rtmb @hawaiiantel.net] Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 5:56 PM C`t t To counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us COUN i ;. Subject: Attachement -DLNR Stats report -clink on Each Island at bootom of table. Attachments: testimony DLNR statsAquarium 1999- 2010.xls I am testifying in opposition to Res. 140 -11 and 130 -11. Please do not pass a resolution requesting the State of Hawaii to amend chapter 188. On 11 -22 -10 in Oahu last year the 2011 HAWAII STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE No. 10 -290 Page 9 -15 from the Maui City Council was heard by the Honolulu city council. It asked for many regulations on aquarium fish which would have resulted in basically a ban on Aquarium Fish. Honolulu City Council unanimously opposed this section and returned it to Maui for them to remove this section. It took hours of the Honolulu City Councils time and much funds to fly to Maui to get it changed. At the Honolulu meeting hours of testimony from both sides was heard and these were the results. Similar legislation has be introduced in the State Legislature and all these bills were deferred. You now find this same topic again before you. I hope we can learn from previous decisions and avoid wasting everyone's time. The Tropical fish association has been working with the DLNR creating a Rules Package which will increase many laws for the Aquarium Trade. We are already sustainable and will continue to work with the DLNR to make sure we stay that way. Aquarium Fish catch report stats for this fiscal year are attached. They show no increase in catch but an economic decline in take. There is no need with over %30 percent of the Big Island in preserves to rush in to a complete fishery closure. The DLNR Stats show an overall increase in fish populations in both FRA(Fish Replenishment Areas) and non FRA areas. DLNR Marine Biologist in a meeting "the conflict is a user group conflict not a resource issue ". DLNR has also not supported much of the legislation from Maui, why it is not scientifically based. We support closed areas to allow tourists to see the wonderful fish in all their glory and we do understand the importance of tourism. Our opposition takes tourists to preserves and shallow areas which we never dive. The staunch opposition evades our understanding. Page 1 of 5 picouNta SEP 19 f ! 9 22 THE FACTS A. State of Hawaii Licenses Aquarium Fish collectors and regulates us with the strictest laws of any State in the US. Catch is restricted by take size, seasonal catch laws, weather, harbor access, depth, currents, surf, and many other factors limit catch. Dive time is restricted by both air supply but also nitrogen build up. Only small areas are covered in a day and most fish escape collection. The biggest factor is the ability to keep fish healthy during boat and vehicle transport. Lots of water and weight are needed to keep fish alive. Live perfect fish are a must. Limited demand for the fish is also a major restriction. Of the Main Hawaiian Islands 30 percent is protected by Sanctuaries, Marine Protected Areas, Fish Replenishment Areas (FRA), Marine Life Conservation Districts (MCLD), Refuges, Fishery Management Areas (FMA), National Monuments, and restricted military areas. To say we have Comm. No. Ref. To: Pre' ° u &C 9/19/2011 Ref. Dat - 2011 Page 2 of 5 unlimited catch is just not true and shows the stupidity of those opposing us. B. Attached fish catch stats show declines in number caught and number of collectors reporting. In the Big Island for example there is a decline from 2007 to 2008 of 7 divers , there was also a decrease in overall catch of 19,413 from 2007 to 2008 State fiscal year. Economy has led to a decrease in catch and number of divers due to demand. Fish populations have continued to increased. The past 10 years have seen nearly stationary catch and no declines in catch validating the fact that we are sustainable. See attached DNLR catch stats attached. C. Below is the information proving we have nothing to do with algae growth. We do not even collect fish from these areas. Also we do not even dive where the tourists go. The tourists mostly dive preserve areas. The only tourist conflict is the made up one by Snorkel Bob and Maui groups. E. Reef fish produce one to five million fry per spawning with up to 7 spawning cycles per year ( 7 Kona yellow tangs spawns last year). Only 800,00 fish are taken from the whole State is less than one pairs spawn (see attached Stats). With only 1 -10 % of reef fish fry surviving to adult breeding stage the removal of younger fish for Aquariums never impacts overall populations! We are a sustainable fishery. Fish are the most renewable resource. For years, these discharged runoff from pineapple and sugar cane fields directly into ... West Maui has gotten considerable attention because of repeated seaweed blooms. Studies commissioned in the mid - 90's by the West Maui Watershed ... Maui and Molokai runoff links: (They continue to blame us for excess seaweeds.) www.turtles.org/aspects.htm http : / /www.turtles.org /aspects.htm http: / /www.hcri.ssri.hawaii.edu /files /media /mc -Ipub- 2005- 01- 03.pdf http: // www. indigenousportal. com /es /Medio- Ambiente /Moloka -i -s- reef -is- choking- to- death.html Kahekili DAR Herbivore fisheries management area (HFMA) was created July 25th 2009 Nitrite runoff problems link: http: / /www.hcri.ssri.hawaii.edu /files /media /mc -Ipub- 2002- 12- 18.pdf urban runoff effects coral reefs link: http: / /www.hcri.ssri.hawaii.edu /files /media /mc -Ipub- 2002- 07- 15.pdf Maui runoff and reef algae growth link: http: / /www.hcri.ssri.hawaii.edu /files /media /mc -Ipub- 2001- 07- 14.pdf E. Eighty five percent of the Big Island, almost all Maui, all Molokai, all Kahoolawe, all lanai, all Molokai, 50% Oahu, all Kauai, all Niihau and the northwest Hawaiian Islands are not fished by tropical fish divers. 2001 and 2002 Great annual fish counts conducted on several islands (www.reef.org) showed an 9/19/2011 Page 3 of 5 increase of fish in areas counted by 2% to 23% for most species showing an overall increase in State's fish populations. The DNLR $3 million MPA (Marine Protected Area) study showed an increase there as well (some species declined in counts there due to overpopulation- species crowding- ecosystems can only support a certain population). University of Hawaii fish counts in Kaneohe Bay show fish increases and fish counts at all artificial reefs like the YO57 ship off Waikiki show increased fish counts. DNLR has done a great job placing artificial reefs around Oahu and needs to continue this practice. Habitat increases fish counts! There is no scientific data showing population scarcity from tropical fish collecting. FRA studies show fish declines in non FRA and FRA but breeding populations and natural declines are not discusses. With these factors taken into account fish overall are on the increase. Fish supply has never been an issue for our fish collectors. I have video to prove the abundance of fish in Hawaii. Video available upon request and some of it on YouTube at: http : / /www.youtube. com/watch ?v= pBJwE4tfuj g &feature = player_embedded Hawaii Tropical Fish Association website: http://www.hawaiitropicalfish.com/ Aquarium Fish Sustainability report link: http:// hawaiitropicalsaltwateraquariumfish .com/ I am testifying in opposition to Res. 140 -11 and 130 -11. Please do not pass a resolution requesting the State of Hawaii to amend chapter 188. Thanks, Ron Tubbs B.S. N.D. President RT Distributors Inc. rtmb@hawaiiantel.net 808 - 259 -9997 Kailua Kona, HI and Waimanalo, HI P.S. The lies associated with the user conflicts: • It was reported widely in the media that 9 million Aquarium fish are taken from Hawaii's waters annually. The truth is approximately 800,000 fish are taken annually. Invertebrate make up nearly 100,000 caught statewide.. Nowhere near 9 million! So many lies and in the public media. This is slander an illegal offense. • Ecology groups have run daily TV commercials claiming 75% of all fish are gone from Hawaii's waters. The true scientific statement was that 75% of the world's oceans have been impacted by man's activities. I can provide this study. Many believe these lies as they do not know any better. Fish catch reports show increases as well does fish counts. See for yourself take a submarine dive! With less reliance on fish as food for the near shore fisherman, fish populations are on the increase. 9/19/2011 Page 4 of 5 • Maui groups say most of the fish are gone and tropical fish divers took them. The truth: The great American Fish Count 2000 to 2001 sponsored by and done with some of the same groups who oppose tropical fish showed an increase in numbers of identified species on all Islands. Even though the counts were done by amateurs and thus not scientific they are still useful. DNLR Bill Walsh's fish count analysis study, revealed inexperienced people cannot count the fish correctly, that their counts are too low because they cannot identify fish correctly. Thus the fish identification counts should actually be higher. • Coral reefs take tens of thousands of years to grow. The truth some places in Kaneohe Bay has seen 6 feet of coral growth in 14 years. Coral grows 3 to 5 inches a year in the shallows! Harbors must be dredged regularly as we must now do on Maui due to coral growth. Lava flows and new ocean areas on the Big Island have complete coral growth and reef formation in 100 years. Abundance of coral in a new area takes only a few years. • Fishermen are taking all the fish. The truth one breeding pair of yellows can repopulate a whole reef in a few months. One yellow tang spawning produces one million larvae with around 60 %. • Surviving to the reef where spawned and some spreading far way. The yellow reproduces at least twice a year. This year saw three spawning of yellows. Many other fish can produce as many as 5 million larvae. DLNR fish counts in Kona prove the quick recruitment of fish in areas is only limited by food and ecosystem habitat. • Tropical fish divers can take all the fish they want without regulations. The truth is almost all boats can only support only a small amount of fish in good enough condition to allow them to be sold as pets. The amount of water needed to keep the fish alive is very heavy and takes a lot of space on the boat. Some big island boats which are bigger have been specially modified with pumps to allow bigger catches. Diving is very physical and most only dive 2 to 3 days a week. Weather causes many days of non diving. Most of the summer sales are slow and divers are told not to go out. Most fish aquarium systems will only support a few hundred fish! Fish health and quality is everything so they are not crowded. THE AMOUNT OF FISH TAKEN IS VERY LIMITED. • Tropical fish suffer and keeping them as pets is not humane. The truth is very few die. Life in a controlled environment with highly nutritional foods and medications has lead to very long and healthy lives for the fish. Predators, starvation and short life spans are the norm for wild ocean fish. If I was a fish give me a good human aquarium home! Waikiki Aquarium has said many times marine fish can live much longer in captivity. Private collectors have better technology and foods than Waikiki Aquarium and use it. Why would ecology groups testify against scientific based legislation? Many do not care about the science! Some do not care about the truth. "Morality for the fish" is their reasoning. We too humanize and love the fish. Caring for our loved pets is trying to be taken away. How would you feel if they tried to take you dog away? 9/19/2011 Page 5 of 5 There were so many lies from groups and individuals trying to protect fish at all cost, even to the point of perpetuating lies in numerous media adds, We must slow down, assess the issues and logically and scientifically address the future of our oceans. If we don't make the right decisions jobs and incredible benefits will be lost for no reason. Selfish uncaring individuals do not care about those who may lose their Jobs and the ability to feed their families. Their only concern is their own interests or they would not lie. Ecology based legislation is needed to ensure the future of all Hawaii's fish, plants and animals. Allot of good has come from ecological concerns. Fishermen love to hear that people want to be protecting our Oceans but many have gone too far. Excessive protectionism will only cost us all. Science based information will provide for a rational decision - making process coordinated by DLNR that will address the user conflicts, and fishing sustainability. We need ecologically sound; least- biased, factual context aimed at perpetuating not lies, but the sustainability and protection of Hawaii's ocean resources upon which all parties depend. Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 6474 (20110918) The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http: / /www.eset.com 9/19/2011 Hawaii County Fiscal Fishing Effort Sum Harvest Harvest by Species Yellow tang Other finfish Hermit crabs Feather duster Other invertebrate No. collec- tors Hours No caught No sold Value No. collec- tors 1 No. No. caught sold Value No. collec- No. tors, caught No. sold Value No. collec- tors No. caught No. sold Value No: collec- No. No. tors caught sold Value No.! collec -, tors No. caught No. sold Value 2010 2009 2008 39 5,893.5 471,699 455,217 $1,635,399 34 319,020 316,789 $1,337,439 38 70,404 66,166 $288,115 7 650 567 $260 - - - 10 81,625 71,695 $9,585 382,2 549,526 458,587 $1,402,778 $1, 02,778 $1,549,031 $1,205,235 38 32 33 0411303,475 3,84 403,640 359,574 246,750 301,334 402,473 356,870 $1,009,702 $1,136,498 $927,023 $1,143,942 $825,319 33 33 40 36 33 62,018 65,862 58,062 99,007 84,176 60,368 63,743 55,641 95,054 81,987 $257,074 $262,913 $214,059 $400,047 $377,404 41 3 7 7 4 484 2,424 8,921 156 116 424 2,332 8,296 130 116 $621 $402 $918 $220 $245 - n.a. - 6 38,233 24,614 $4,056 34 34 5,392.3 n.a. n.a. n.a. 10 10 10 4 19,137 33,352 51,875 22,617 12,571 29,338 51,869 19,614 $2,966 $3,832 $4,822 2007 41 6,090.0 7,904.0 6,996.2 39111 ,607 554,678 466,483 2006 38 35 2005 2004 31 5,249.5 374,328 362,520 $948,710 29 301,954 300,695 $700,442 29 64,151 61,635 $247,689 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 4 8,223 190 $579 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 2003 23 5,355.2 265,689 264,356 $758,637 22 212,391 211,776 $508,050 23 53,298 52,580 $250,587 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 2002 20 5,112.5 226,290 277,313 225,774 275,359 $612,150 $591,945 19 24 177,888 213,515 177,705 212,266 $420,262 $387,841 20 24 48,402 63,798 48,069 63,093 $191,888 $204,104 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 2001 24 4,612.0 2000 26 4,304.5 3,604.0 303,896 225,063 301,621 223,837 $621,293 $531,252 25 21 240,487 167,763 239,033 167,062 $380,287 $289,213 26 21 63,088 57,212 62,267 56,687 $240,441 $241,671 4 4 117 9 117 91 $237 $74 5 3 204 79 204 79 $327 $293 1999 22