HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0333.124 2010-2012Murashige, Laura
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Teri at Jack's Diving Locker [teri @jacksdivinglocker.com]
Monday, October 03, 2011 6:04 PM
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COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
2011 QtT __ -_ 8:._ Mi
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: apilago @co.hawaii.hi.us; phoffmann @co.hawaii.hi.us; bsmart@co.hawaii.hi.us;
fblas @co.hawaii.hi.us; dyagong @co.hawaii.hi.us; iyoshimoto @co.hawaii.hi.us;
bford @co.hawaii.hi.us; donishi @co.hawaii.hi.us; dikeda @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Support for Resolution 130 -11
Attachments: Mooring Buoys in Hawaii - Malama Kai Foundation.pdf
To: Hawaii Island County Council
Re: Support for Resolution 130 -11
Aloha Council Members,
I would like to voice my support a ban of tropical fish collecting in the State of Hawaii. I realize that the way this
particular resolution is written, it will not fully address the problem, but none the less, I feel it's important to
comment about the problem.
I am writing on behalf of myself, although I am a board member of Malama Kai Foundation, and an owner of
Jack's Diving Locker in Kona. Our business has been in operation over 30 years. We have been very active in
the past and present implementation of the State of Hawaii's Day Use Mooring program. We work hard to protect
our environment here in Kona and worldwide.
In the past, I would not have been in favor an outright ban on the business of tropical fish collecting.
Recently, events have occurred that make me think that this now needs to happen.
Many people in our community and Statewide have been concerned about the amount of tropical
reef fish leaving our island (and State) without any type of limit or sustainable plan.
I have personally seen the numbers of fishes on our reefs slowly being depleted in many areas.
I've been at the airport and have seen box after box of fish being thrown into the baggage area like bails
of hay.
More recently, I have been extremely disappointed to see that some of our most experienced collectors
are showing total disregard for our resource by illegally dropping anchors on coral reefs next to Day Use
Moorings, breaking 2 laws with one anchor throw. It is illegal to drop an anchor on coral, within 100
yards of the Day Use Moorings that are written into "Rule ". It is also illegal to damage coral anywhere.
It is virtually impossible to drop an anchor and chain onto a coral reef and not damage the coral.
On Maui people get fined for anchoring on coral reefs and on Hawaii Island people are accused of
harassment if they report the people who are breaking the law and damaging the reef..
I feel it's time to intervene when "seasoned" tropical fish collectors, who obviously know better, display
such blatant disregard for the law and our resources.
It is because of this that I support a ban of tropical fish collecting and aquarium sales the way it is
currently allowed to be conducted.
Mahalo, Teri Leicher
Comm. No. 333
Ref. To: egigil
Ref. Date OCT 5 2011
10/4/2011
Mooring Buoys in Hawaii - Malama Kai Foundation
A KAI FOUNDATION °sL:av(2,as
About Malama Kai
Public Education
Mooring Buoys
Day Use Buoy Overview
10 -Year Strategic Plan
Day Use Buoy History
About Pin Moorings
Business Participation
ADOPT -A -BUOY
Conservation Action
& Management
Keyuest Information
Haw You Can Help
Hawaii Day -Use Mooring Buoy System
In 1990, Malama Kai Foundation was formed as a nonprofit
to foster a partnership of Hawaii's ocean users and
businesses, the university and government to take
responsibility for installing and maintaining the statewide
day -use mooring buoy system, which protects our coral
reefs from the crushing destruction of falling anchors.
Today, there are approximately 200 buoys installed around
all the main Hawaiian Islands. In partnership with the Hawaii
Department of Land and Natural Resources and the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Malama Kai
Foundation is:
Updating the mooring buoy maintenance database for
the statewide system,
Developing guidebooks for the mooring buoys on each
island,
SI.AND REEF FUND - Developing training manuals for installation and
maintenance of the buoys, and
Assisting the state in getting a permit renewed to allow
installation of additional buoys.
Buoy Overview
The coral polyps that make up a coral reef are very delicate
animals. Anchor damage is one of the most important
physical threats to corals.
Day -use mooring buoys have proven to be an effective tool
around the world in reducing the damage to coral reefs
caused by anchors. They eliminate the need to drop anchor
on coral reefs by providing boaters with a convenient means
of securing their boats... read more
l tastory of Day -Use Moonng Buoys
Anchor damage is a key threat to coral reefs according to
the International Coral Reef Initiative, the US Coral Reef
Task Force, and the State of Hawaii. The day -use mooring
pin technology was developed in 1981 by John Halas and
others at the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary and has
been used with success at coral reef sites around the
world... read more
auout Nin Moorings ►
?,c1;sfrr -a -Buoy Program
The Malama Kai Foundation, in partnership with the Hawaii
Departments of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and
Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT),
has sponsored the Adopt -a -Buoy Program since 1991...
http : / /www.malama - kai.org/buoys/
BIG ISLAND REEF FUND
E X) YOU
Half a centimeter of coral broken
off in a matter of seconds can take
up to 25 years to grow back.
PUr UC$tion
Malama Kai co- sponsors
REEFTALK, a monthly public
presentation series on the marine
and coastal environment in Kona
and Kohala...
COMMUNITY
Community involvement and
cooperation is the key to
successful management of coral
reef resources.
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Mooring Buoys in Hawaii - Malama Kai Foundation http : / /www.malama- kai.org/buoys/
read more
Current Buoy Project:
Through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation (NFWF) the Malama Kai Foundation has
contracted a part-time project coordinator to manage and
coordinate all activities associated with reducing anchor
damage to coral reefs and enhancing the State's day -use
mooring buoy system... read more
Recognition of Participating Businesses ►
About Malama Kai 1 Public Education 1 Mooring Buoys I Conservation Action & Management 1 How You Can Help 1 Contact 1 Home
P.O. Box 6882 Kamuela, Hawaii 96743 USA
Tel: (808) 885 -6354 Fax: (808) 885 -6474
infoAmalama- kai.orq
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