HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1145.037 2012-2014From: Paul <atdarock @gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2014 10:33 PM
To: Council Testimony = �n
Subject: AWESC Bill 318, in support
Aloha Committee Members,
I have researched online tropical fish sales sites and aquarium blogs, concerning the transporting of a-cjuar"
fish. I have come to the conclusion that Bill 318 is needed, and I support it.
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I have discovered three factors that contribute to a pet fishes stress during transport:
1. Toxic water, mainly ammonia nitrates from the fish feces
2. insufficient oxygen
3. extrem temperature change
Starving aquarium fish is common practice on the wholesale, retail and consumer levels before transporting, as
that lowers the possibility of ammonia nitrate poisoning.
With less worry of toxic water, on the wholesale level (our local collectors), that enables them to place fish in
smaller amounts of water. conserving space and improving their logistic cost per fish.
Our tropical fish can live a long time without food. As evidenced by our endemic Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse and
Moorish Idols, fish that 90% will not eat in captivity, but take up to ten months to starve to death.
Starving a fish is not humane, and Bill 318 is a good solution. Feed pet fish, then give them more water. That
dilutes the possibility of toxins and supplies more oxygen.
I believe buyers of fish for personal enjoyment and companionship, would happily pay more for a pet that has
not been stressed during transport. And can be guaranteed to live past delivery.
A Quote from a tropical fish retailer, https:// www. bluezooaquatics .com /guarantee.asp
"Some species do not handle stress from environmental conditions well. These stresses can include poor water quality,
harassment from tank mates or confined aquarium conditions. When stressed, these species can lose the ability to ward
off infection and disease. Other species have such specialized feeding requirements that is difficult recreate in a aquarium
and may succumb to mal nutrition."
Mahalo Chair Wille
Paul Cox
88 -1575 Puhala Ave
Captain cook, Hi. 96704
Comm. N ��• 3 7
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