HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0333.088 2010-2012OCT -4 -2011 11:16A FROM:TOWLE 8083293837 TO:9619912 P.1
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Mr. William J. Alia, Jr.
Chairperson
Department of Land and Natural Resources
P.O. Box 621
Honolulu, HI 96809
Dear Mr. Alia:
13 -4029 Lauone Street
Pahoa, HI 96778
4 August 2011
Thank you for your letter responding to my concerns about the aquarium
trade and fish poaching. Because the DLNR has regulations governing fishing and
the aquarium trade, you believe that the DLNR is adequately monitoring and
managing the fisheries. My (somewhat limited) experience suggests otherwise. The
case in point is rampant illegal fishing /poaching within the Marine Life Conservation
District (MLCD) at the Wai Opae Tide Pools, Puna District, Hawaii County. Those of
us engaged in the neighborhood watch program frequently report violations within
the MLCD to the Hilo DLNR office. I have even photographed these events along
with vehicle license plates and taken this information to Hilo DLNR. Nothing
happens. Hilo based DLNR officers who should be patrolling tell me that they are
constrained (for budget reasons) to work only during normal business hours Monday
through Friday. As you may know, fishing and the taking of aquatic life is tide -
dependent. It often occurs at dusk and on holidays or weekends when the DLNR
staff is not working. A police force constrained to work only during office hours
would be considered dysfunctional. This is also true for DLNR enforcement.
Please understand that there is a substantial difference between having
regulations on the books and having boots on the ground enforcing those
regulations. If budget constraints do not allow for DLNR presence during times
when fishing and aquatic life collecting occurs, then these activities are
functionally un- monitored and unregulated. The resulting horrific toil on the reefs
is unsustainable. I urge you to re- orient the DLNR towards sustainable resource
management. A ban on the aquarium trade would remove the administrative cover
used by some bad actors despoiling the reefs.
Sincerely,
c: Governor Neil Abercrombie
Christopher A. Biitoft
Comm. No. 3 3. PG"
Ref. To: ares0ell` Cialht4.`i
Ref. 'Date OCT 5 2011