HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0118.055 2014-2016FISHES -
Feb. 17, 2015
To: Hawaii County Council Committee on Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability
Re: Bill 24 in SUPPORT with Suggested Amendments
Aloha Chair Wille, Vice Chair Poindexter and Committee Members,
Thank you for this opportunity. My name is Rene Umberger, I am the founder of For the Fishes
and the co-founder of Reef Rescue Alliance, each working to protect coral reef wildlife from
harmful aquarium trade practices.
Thank you for hearing this bill protecting Hawaii's reef wildlife from harmful aquarium trade
practices. Until the aquarium trade is shut down, this bill is needed to bring compassion to an
industry that too often sacrifices wildlife well-being for increased profits. As stewards of
Hawaii's wildlife and reefs, increasing the captive survivability of marine life captured and sold
as pets is the least we can do.
The following amendments are offered for your consideration:
Section 6._ License Application
(7) A statement that neither the applicant nor any person engaged in any aspect of the
aquarium life operation has been ,.__. it.a fan offense against may; will
commit or has committed offenses of the laws of the County or State involving cruelty to
animals, which include prohibitions on starvina, causing substantial hodily iniurv, causing
starving. or carrvine or causing to be carried, in or anon any vehicle or other conveyance,
any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner
Section 6. License Fee
(b) An additional license fee of $1,000 shall be paid for each of the following fish Z.
tlavescens, C. strigosus, Z. cornutus, F. tlavissini F. longirostris, C. _ tis, any
Chaetodon species, A. achilles, and L. phthirophaaus. R�"', `. ,
com ha,
P.O. Box 1894, Kihei, HI 96753 Rej, T4*_
Rene@FortheFishes.org * 808.283.7225 Eef. Dote AFB 2'h 2015
Industry -reported mortality rates and independent research provides evidence that reef fish in
the pet industry are mistreated. Appropriate capture, holding, and transport would be
indicated by a mortality standard below 1% at each step in the chain of custody. That 1%
threshold was set in a multi-million dollar, multi -stakeholder reform effort and certification
scheme attempted over a decade ago by the Marine Aquarium Council, an international effort
based in Honolulu. That effort ultimately failed, in part from vocal trade opposition that wanted
the death rate set at 5%.
Today's mortality rates reflect that. The industry reports deaths generally ranging from 3 — 5%
at each step before retail, where it then doubles. For example, Hawaii's trade reported a 3%
loss between the collector and wholesaler in 2012. More were lost in holding and in transport
as they moved from Hawaii to wholesaler to retailer. Applied to Hawaii's 2012 reported catch,
supply chain mortalities likely exceeded 100,000 fish before retail sale. Once in a hobby tank,
80% of the fish deaths there are caused by poor supply chain practices.
Bill 24 would end the cruel practices contributing to that unacceptably high loss. It's one thing
to kill a fish and eat it or use it as bait, but once we take an animal as a pet, we're obligated to
treat it humanely. In fact, HRS requires it of us.
When an industry is shown to profit from premature pet deaths, it's time for lawmakers to step
in. Evidence shows that with better care, fewer fish will die. That also means more fish will be
left on our reefs. I urge you to pass Bill 24.
Sincerely,
Rene Umberger
For the Fishes
P.O. Box 1894, Kihei, HI 96753 Comm. No.
Rene@FortheFishes.org * 808.283.7225 Ref. To:
uf. Date B_? 0'2 115