HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1145.132 2012-2014NAWF.sc
Aloha Hawaii County Counsel, Nov.18, 2014
�;�
My name is Tony Nahacky and I have been collecting and exporting aquarium fish in Hawaii since 1967. For the
last three years I have undertaken projects in the Pacific region for NGOs, and government fisheries to
improve the health of aquarium fish exported.
In undertaking this work I have found that:
• Hawaii is frequently used as a model for aquarium fisheries. This is because of the low mortality and high
quality of Hawaii fish, along with sustainable management of the fisheries by DAR.
• To transport aquarium fish in good health draft guidelines are being developed by the South Pacific
Community. As with other guidelines for transport of live fish they conflict with the requirements of Bill
318.
• My work to improve health and lower mortality of aquarium fish in various Pacific island fisheries would
not be possible if I had to adhere to the two requirements in Bill 318. The two requirements would result
in increased mortality and decreased health of the fish. To explain this:
• It is well documented that feeding live fish before transport is not recommended. Short term removal
of food is a common practice for the health of organisms. I recently had food withheld for 24 hours
and I assure you I am fine. A reasonable length of fasting does not result in mortality for fish or
humans.
+ Requiring one gallon of water per fish is not a recommendation I have seen in 50 years of exporting
live fish. Further I cannot find any scientific studies or published reports supporting this requirement.
For example; one gallon of water if used improperly could result in a depth of water that does not provide
oxygen evenly through the water. The fish will settle to the bottom of the bag to sleep, but the oxygen will
tend to concentrate in the upper part of the bag depriving the fish of normal oxygen levels. There is a correct
amount of water, bag size, surface area, depth of water, etc. for each fish and one size does not fit all.
In closing I entered the aquarium fishery as an aquarist as I love fish and aquariums. So while I am testifying
against this bill, I am not against transporting fish in a manner to maximize health. I believe everyone supports
transporting fish with the lowest mortality, stress, and for maximum health. So while there is strong support
for this concept, there is not expert support that Bill 318 will achieve this. It is as if someone with no
knowledge of transporting live fish picked these requirements out of thin air. The requirements of Bill 318 are
critically flawed, without basis, and will result in needless loss of fish that would have otherwise been perfectly
healthy. I respectfully ask before passing this bill that the council read the facts provided in the submissions by
PIJAC, AZA, and consult with Dr. Walsh of Kona DAR office for any data he might be able to provide.
Thank you, Tony Nahacky
PIJAC - Pet Industry Joint Advisory Counsel
AZA - Association of Zoos & Aquariums
DAR - Department of Aquatic Resources
E
w_
CSL _r
�4r`. bu:t.____. 8 2014