HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0333.190 2010-2012Murashige, Laura
From: wst_formmailer @secureserver.net
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2011 1:47 PM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Res. 130 -11 in SUPPORT
Name : Anita Wintner
City, State : Kihei, HI
Dear Committee Chair Pilago : Aloha Chair Yagong and Hawaii County Council, I support the
resolution to ban the aquarium collecting trade. I have helped DAR do fish counts and
herbivore feeding patterns. I have read DAR's research information that shows the FRA's on
the Big Island are not working for many species. All other island don't even have FRA
areas. The aquarium fish collecting has depleted the reefs of fish necessary to keep the
reefs healthy. Taxpayers are spending more money trying to regulate and check on
sustainability than the aquarium trade brings in. DAR's research shows 80% of the fish
shipped out are herbivores that are necessary to keep our reefs in check. 45% of the top
20 species taken are endemic. Once they are gone, they are gone. DLNR doesn't want to do
an EIS, which should be required. DLNR is seeking exemption. Reef fish populations outside
the FRA's where the collector catch are down 73% from FRA areas. Butterfly fish
populations are down 75 %. What does this tell you. This is all data from DAR and still
they try to convince you all is well and collection should continue. Ban it, don't try to
regulate it. Why should our fish be shipped to other places in the world when they belong
here. Stop it now so future generations can enjoy our reefs before it is too late. Mahalo
1
Comm. No. 3V. flo
Ref. To: Prue
Ref. DateAJ 2gu