HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1145.126 2012-2014C0
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November 17, 2014 2014 NOV 18 p11 I: 32
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Hawaii County Council
With the authority conferred to myself not only by old age, but by
being an historical relic, involved in the Marine ornamental fish trade
since 1966 on two continents - Africa and Oceania - I would like to
bring to the attention of this council that Reef Rescue Alliance, one of
the "tools" of propaganda, funded primarily by "For the Fishes" and
"Snorkel Bob", of Maui County, is promoting myths, rather than any
factual or existing scientific information with regards to the
Aquarium trade industry.
Claims are:
>The aquarium trade has depleted wild populations - the reality is
that the quantity of ornamental fish populating the Kona Coast Reef
has never been greater. According to Dr. Walsh of DLNR, over the
past 12 years, West Hawaii population of Yellow Tang in the 30'- 60'
prime reef habitat has increased by over 337,000 fish. Kole
populations have increased by over 1 million fish. These two species
make up 91% of the total West Hawaii aquarium catch. This year
alone, the recruitment on the reef, (new fish appearing), has been a
record unlike anything in previous memory for over 35 years and has
been referred to in the press as being of "biblical proportions". This
is hardly devastation as the uninformed are being led to believe by
this propaganda effort.
>Shipping procedures cause the highest death rates - According to
recent studies, shipment mortality rates range from 0.75% to 2%.
>Thousands of fish arrive dead or die within one week - these same
studies indicate that mortality rates of aquarium fish are low and
estimated at 0 to 1 percent. There is NO work or data to support
claims of a 99% mortality rate within a full year for captive marine
life, according to Dr. Dan Polhemus of DLNR. These are simply
manufactured propaganda talking points.
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ALL of these Myths are simply an attempt to deceive an uninformed
public with a "Sky is Falling" fear tactic. Further, it becomes quite
obvious from the wording of Bill 318 that it is highly discriminatory,
and singles out the Aquarium trade only, while others that harvest
ocean wildlife are exempt from compliance in this bill.
If, in fact, Bill 318 is truly intended to promote "animal welfare" as
claimed, why does it not apply to ALL aquatic harvesting activity?
Why the exemption in Section 4 (C) if animal welfare and humane
treatment is really the overall goal?
This council must NOT be duped into doing the bidding of a radical
extremist group, whose sole purpose and agenda is to ban a state
regulated industry that has been and continues to be viable and
sustainable, for over 50 years - in any way or by any means they can.
Bill 318 is filled with misinformation, unsupported by scientific data,
and is in direct conflict with all best industry accepted standards,
and in fact, in violation of these standards as well, both for feeding
fish within 24 hours of shipping and amount of water required for
packing.
Further, it should not be lost on this council that the instigators, who
promote these outlandish bills, are not Hawaii County residents, nor
do they vote in our county. Conversely, the small business owners in
the aquarium trade live and work in West Hawaii, have families,
support many, many other local and statewide businesses, schools,
pay taxes in Hawaii County and VOTE! It is their very livelihood that
is being threatened in the most egregious effort to force a complete
closure of this industry through this discriminatory and ill-conceived
legislation.
This council must give very serious deliberative thought to the far
reaching implications of Bill 318 and soundly and resolutely defeat
its passage. Bill 318 must never become law in Hawaii County!
Respectfully, Luciano Perino, President, Marine Oceania Inc.