HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1145.118 2012-2014P//(w L:-
Support Bill 318 Page 1 of 1
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Donna Whitaker <exec.dir @hihs.org> mark as unread
Mon 11/17/2014 7:49 AM
To: Council Testimony;
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Support
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Aloha,
Attached is testimony in Support of Bill No. 318 before Council on November 18th.
Thank you,
Donna Whitaker
Executive Director
Hawaii Island Humane Society
808 - 329 -8002
808 - 329 -7375 Fax
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SOCIETY
Submitted by: Donna Whitaker, Executive Director
Hawaii Island Humane Society =�
Date: November 18, 2014 v'
To: The Honorable Margaret Wille, Chair
Committee on Agriculture, Water and Sustainable Energy
RE: Bill No. 318
Testimony in Strong Support Bill No. Relating to Treatment of Aquarium Life
The Hawaii Island Humane Society joins with other Animal Welfare Agencies in the State of
Hawaii, in support of Bill No. 318. This Bill would increase the humane treatment of pet fish,
whether bred in captivity or collected from the reef, during transport.
One of the guiding principles of animal welfare is humane treatment for all animals. Reef fish
taken from the wild and intended as pets deserve that same treatment. It is important that we
keep in mind that these animals are pets and are not a food source.
The up to 5% mortality rate associated with shipping is a rate that is outlandish in animal
welfare. Can we imagine a time that we would find that rate acceptable in other pet species such
as dogs or cats? It is also said that 80% of the fish mortality in home aquariums can be attributed
to poor practices in the supply chain, not customer error. Under current practices, stores have
been making significant profits selling these same impaired fish to unaware customers only to
have them die within weeks. A bill such as this would also act to protect the consumer on the
other end as it would allow for them to purchase a pet transported in circumstances that gave it
the best chance for survival.
I urge you to be proactive and humane and require adequate water volume during transport,
adequate space and prevent starvation in pet fish taken from Big Island waters. The aquarium
fish trade is not likely to end anytime soon. But this is another case that if you're going to do it
you should do it right and ensure humane treatment.
Thank you for the opportunity to present testimony and we respectfully ask for your support of
this measure.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Whitaker
Executive Director