HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1145.107 2012-2014From: RT Distributors <rtubbs @hawaii.rr.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2014 1:20 AM
To: Poindexter, Valerie; cohmayor @ co. hawaii.us; Yoshimoto, J; Onishi, Dennis; Ilagan,
Greggor; Kern, Zendo; Ford, Brenda; Kanuha, Dru; Eoff, Karen; Wille, Margaret; Council
Testimony
Subject: Opposition to Bill 318 ? o
.- n
Aloha County Council Members and Mayor William P. Kenoi,
I am writing this testimony in opposition to Bill 318 regarding aquarium fish treatment for the hearing Tue_lay NQ-1J.,--18
2014 1:45 PM Bill 318
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The drafter of this bill obviously knows very little about salt water aquarium fish transport or the science offish health. If
they did the bill would not be drafted as such. Or maybe it is designed to hurt fish and put aquarium fishermen out of
business. Please read below for the explanation.
Is there a problem with death rates for aquarium fish shipments and transportation?
As far as aquarium related mortality in Hawaii goes here's a quote from a Cesar 2002 study "Mortality rates of aquarium
fish are low and have gone down considerably since the last survey in 1984. Currently, mortality rates from collection to
wholesaler are estimated at 0 to 1 percent. In the wholesaler's tanks, mortality rates range from close to 0% up to
2 %. During shipment, rates range from 0.75% to 2 %. This give a current total of between 1% and 5 %, down from a
range of 5% to 8% in the early 1980's (van Poolen and Obara, 1984; estimates of wholesalers and collectors, own
study)." These studies quoted are old and much better technology and care techniques now exist so we are sure it is an
even lower rate today. Decreased transport times due to better roads and more airline flights make it even easier to ship
shipments with no DOA at all. We ship many shipments with no DOA it is the norm. Life extension techniques are used
by the hobbyist at all times. Customers demand such care. Life spans of fish can be greatly increased in captivity. Life
span of the average fish in the wild can be very short. Why do we need this bill then?
History of these types of bills:
A similar bill to this one was deferred last year and the previous year, in the first committee meetings that heard them
by Hawaii States Legislature. Why? Because it is not humane and had overwhelming opposition from the airlines,
veterinarians, and pet owners who love their dogs, cats and fish. All Veterinarians I interviewed on this subject opposed
it. They balked at the idea of a no food restriction before long flights. What is inhumane is to not restrict food before the
shipment of a dog cat or other animal. If the animal poops in their holding cage or fish bag they will be in feces for hours
during a flight. That is inhumane! Plus restricting food and not water for an animal for 24 hours is healthy for most
animals. Restricting food for short periods is used as treatment for many diseases and allows the animal or Human to
clean out; It is beneficial to fast! This bill is not based in science or facts at all. Similar Bills like this one have not passed
in the past for a good reason.
Is it humane to starve fish?
Yes for short periods of time it would actually extend lifespan. Fasting for people, mammals and fish all benefit from lack
of nutrition for short periods of time. To restrict diet or reduce food for 24 hours or over will improve health usually. To
starve a fish, dog or cat before a flight is not inhumane! Just the opposite it is very humane. Airlines, and most
veterinarians even go as far as to suggest that pet owners do just that restrict food before a long flight! Food is not
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placed inside with a dog or cat but it is attached outside of the shipping container so the airline workers can feed the
animal upon arrival after the flight.
Do aquarium fishermen even starve fish before shipping?
No! Most will only restrict food supply a little before shipping and add to packing water Amquil powder to prevent
ammonia burn or nitrate toxicity. Those who run short of this chemical may ship without feeding for a short period of
time to keep the fish alive during a flight in a bag. If we do not reduce food or use this chemical you are then making the
fish suffer and could possibly cause the fish to loose its life. Not allowing fish to have restricted diets before shipping will
hurt the fish during transport! This is a very bad bill from a fish health point of view. My fish say No to this bill!
Do aquarium fish shippers or fish transporters use too little water in transport or their shipments resulting in more
dead's?
No it is not the water that restricts the fishes health and transport time but the oxygen they breathe. Oxygen during
transport is the most important life sustaining nutrient. Aeration not the amount of water is the restricting factor. When
shipping fish on a flight if you add to much water to a bag you restrict the amount of oxygen you can put in the bag. Too
much water in a bag that reduces oxygen will put the fish at risk for suffocation. With Amquil you can maintain healthy
water quality at a much smaller amount than one gallon. Who came up with one gallon anyway? It was made up and
has no scientific basis for being reasonable. Aquarium fish are shipped in big enough bags so they can swim in circles -
that is more than we do for people! Packed this way will result in an average 5 day life span in a bag. Most flight are only
a few hours to 24 hours long leaving a big safety factor to prevent fish loss. Only one fish per bag is shipped for long
flights! Health of the fish is of the upmost importance for the fish shipper. No dead or damaged fish will be paid for. It
would quickly put aquarium fishermen out for business to use 1 gallon of water per fish. It is unpractical to use this much
water for smaller fish. A big fish may actually already be shipped in this much water. Fish size not a made up one gallon
restriction determines how much water a fish needs to be healthy for transport or packing longivity. A water restriction
is not needed to ensure survival. Airlines cost would increase for smaller fish in extremely big bags putting fishermen out
of business. Big Island aquarium fishermen would move to other islands where such a law does not exists putting more
impacts on those fishing areas. Right now Kona is sustainable intake and Dr. Bill Walsh agrees no further restrictions are
needed. New laws just went into effect this year January 1st.
Please shelf Bill 318 it is not needed, was poorly drafted, makes no since scientifically and does not help but actually
hurts fish and their humane treatment.
Ron Tubbs B.S. N.D.
Nutrition Research Degree
35 years of Diving in Hawaii and 40 years as a saltwater fish aquarium hobbyist.
8 years of Medicine, Nutrition, and Directed Nutritional Research with the University of Hawaii Manoa
I can supply links, studies or further details on these subjects upon request.
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