HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0345.020 2010-2012Murashige, Laura
CbMM. 54--
From: Rene Umberger [octopus @maui.net]
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 8:19 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Res. 140 -11 in Support
Sept. 21, 2011 (Weds., 9:00)
To: Council Chair Dominic Yagong
Hawaii County Council
West Hawaii Civic Center, Kona, HI
Re: Res. 140 -11 in Support
an SEP 20 PM 8
Page 1 of 1
PI coma
Dear Chair Yagong and Council Members,
Thank you for considering this important measure. In 1973 concern over aquarium trade impacts prompted
the state division in charge to issue a moratorium on collecting. But it was lifted two days prior to
commencement, so the trade's impacts could be studied.
In 1998, studies revealed that the trade was taking wildlife from West Hawaii reefs in such high numbers,
that wild populations, in many cases, had been reduced by half or more. That year, the state acknowledged
the harm, reporting that aquarium collecting was a major cause of coral reef degradation.
Again, the community rallied for a ban, but the state again bowed to the trade, continuing to give limitless
permits to take an unlimited number of wild reef fish and critters -- all to fuel the aquarium trade's desire
for cheap livestock.
Since that time, millions of dollars have been spent by the State monitoring the impacts. They've
documented disappearing species, unsustainable take levels and collapsing populations. They've calculated
that the trade is taking 60 - 80% of the entire populations of some of their high demand species. Earlier
this year, two of the researches involved testified in support of banning the trade.
Yet, in public presentations and news releases, the lead scientist presents a different picture, defends the
trade, calling it "the states most important nearshore fishery ", as if the economic value of marine tourism
and property values, dependent on abundant wildlife and healthy reefs, didn't far surpass that of the trade.
As if the trade wasn't decimating wildlife populations.
There is no public benefit that comes from allowing a handful of people to plunder this public resource.
Though the States own policy on public resource use disallows it, they continue to promote the trade.
Please pass this reso and send a message that we must cherish and conserve this wildlife and protect our
reefs for current and future generations.
Mahalo,
Rene Umberger
www.FortheFishes.org
9/20/2011
Comm. No. 3 g•
Ref. To: Ptestp*eo evu.vta )
Ref. Date SEP 21 20U
Up to 40% of Hawaii's reef wildlife taken by the aquarium trade dies before reaching the
hobbyist. Injury, disease and early death results from trade practices shown below.
Most of the remaining animals will die within the year, unable to survive under the care of
beginner fish keepers, the majority of whom quit the hobby within a year of starting.
Netted Hina /ea /auwi/i - found only in Hawaii.
Handling & exposing to air without need. This
Cleaner Wrasse, found only in Hawaii, should
never be taken for the hobby - it dies quickly
without its food source: parasites on other
fish. This fish will now die within weeks.
Fish are starved from 2 -10 days before being
bagged & shipped. Stress & starvation are
major causes of early death.
Getting ready to vent / pierce the swim bladder
Exposing to air and cutting fins & spines without
need. This harmful practice is used to avoid the
higher costs of shipping in sturdier, layered bags.
Another dead fish in a tank with a replacement
floating in the bag (upper right corner).
Summary of Concerns
Proposed Management Measure for West Hawaii Aquarium Trade:
Limit Species (aka 'White List')1
FortheFishes.org, July 2011
Common Name
Short
Captive
Lifespan
Endemic
Species
Highest
Mortality
Rates
Unsuitable
for beginner
aquarists Z
Significantly
Depleted
Populations
DLNR's
Greatest
Conservation
Need Species
1
Yellow Tang aebrosoma f/avescens) ■
X
X
X
2
Chevron Tang (Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis)
X
X
X
X
3
Goldring Surgeon (Ctenochaetus strigosus)
X
X
X
X
4
Achilles Tang (Acanthurusachilles)
X
X
X
X
5
Tinker's Butterfly (Chaetodon tinkeri)
X
X
X
6
Clown Tang (Naso lituratus)
-
X
X
X
X
7
Forcepsfish (Forcipigerfiavissimus)
X
X
X
8
Goldrim Surgeon (Acanthurus nigricans)
'
X
X
X
9
Potter's Angel (Centropyge potted)
X
X
X
X
10
Fourspot Butterfly (C. quadrimaculatus)
X
X
X
X
11
Yellowtail Coris (coris gaimard)
X
X
X
12
Ornate Wrasse (Halichoeres omatissimus)
X
X
X
X
13
Orangeband Surgeon (A olivaceus)
rs
''
X
X
X
14
Bird Wrasse (Gomphosus varius) EM
X
X
X
15
Eyestripe Surgeon (A. dussumieri)
X
X
X
16
Multiband Butterfly (c. multicinctus)
" %_ €
X
X
X
X
X
17
Saddle Wrasse (Thalassoma duperrey)
-�
*'
X
X
X
X
18
Brown Surgeon (Acanthurus nigrofuscus)
X
X
19
Flame Wrasse (Cirrhilabrusjordoni)
X
X
X
X
20
Thompson's Surgeon (A. thompsoni)
X
X
21
Peacock Grouper (Cephalopholis argus)
X
FortheFishes.org, July 2011
22
Bluestripe Snapper (Lutjanus kasmira)
X
X
23
Redbarred Hawkfish (cirrhiropsfasciatus)
X
X
24
Psychedelic Wrasse (a. chrysocephalus) IF
X
X
X
X
X
25
HI Whitespotted Toby (c.)actator)
X
X
X
X
26
Fisher's Angel (Centropygefisheri)
X
X
X
X
27
Hawaiian Dascyllus (Dascyausalbisella)
X
X
28
Milletseed Butterfly (Chaetodon milioris)
"i
X
X
X
29
Blacklip Butterfly ( Chaetodon kleinii)
X
X
X
30
Pyramid Butterfly (H. polylepis)
X
X
31
Shortnose Wrasse (M. geoffroy)
X
X
X
32
Black Durgon (Melichthysniger)
X
33
Spotted Boxfish (Ostracion meleagris)
X
X
X
34
Blackside Hawkfish (P. forsteri)
X
35
HI Longfin Anthias (P.anthias hawaiiensis)
X
X
X
X
36
Eightstripe Wrasse (P. octotaenia) ;aii
X
X
X
37
Fourstripe Wrasse (P. tetrataenia)
X
X
38
Smalltail Wrasse (P. cerasinus)
!
X
X
39
Lei Triggerfish (Sufflamen bursa)
X
X
40
1,
Gilded Trigger (X. auromarginatus) '
X
1. Approved by West Hawaii Fisheries Council & Big Island Association of Aquarium Fishers 09/10
2. Fishes under the care of beginners (i.e. the majority of hobbyists) suffer "astronomical" death rates. (Keiron Dodds, 2009)
FortheFishes.org, July 2011