HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0140.073 2014-2016Aloha County Council Members
My name is David Dart
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAIfI
RECEIVED
Time /:3upo B
Datetill/S
This testimony is in opposition to Bill 318 regarding aquarium fish treatment.
I am here specifically to address mistaken beliefs that there is high mortality in
shipping AQ fish from the Big Island. There is not a single bit of evidence that this is the
case. There are zero scientific studies to back this up. There is, however, one
independent scientific study done showing 100% survivability in shipping from Hawaii
County.
I am going to quote Dr. Brian Tissot who has studied the aquarium fishery in Hawaii
for 20 years. He has authored over 20 scientific papers on West Hawaii through more
than 20 funded research projects, many supported by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration and the State of Hawaii.
"In a recent study, our laboratory studied the effects of collection and transport of yellow
tangs (which comprise 84% of the aquarium catch) in West Hawaii. Our research team
included two expert aquatic veterinarians at Oregon State University, Drs. Jerry Heidel
and Tim Miller -Morgan, both which have extensive experience with the aquarium trade.
We collaborated with aquarium collectors and exporters in Kona, and caught 60 yellow
tang from the reef, held them in a working export facility, and shipped them from Kona,
HI to Portland, OR. The fish were then transported to the Hatfield Marine Science
Center in Newport, OR where they resided for 6 months. Our study shows 100%
survival rate of these tangs during collection, holding in the export facility air transport
and after a 64nonth holding period. In fact, the fish have now become part of an exhibit
at the Hatfield Marine Science Center about sustainability in the aquarium trade and we
have received no reports of mortality after 2.5 years.
Shipping one fish in a gallon of water is nonsensical. Some of our fish are 2" fish
while others may be 12". There is no credible science behind one size fits all. Our fish
are packed according to size of fish and duration of flights. Experts know that it is the
oxygen in a shipping bag that is the most important variable, not water. Our
outstanding success in West Hawaii providing quality, sustainable fish to worldwide
dealers is well known.
This bill does not recognize or cite any scientific study that would warrant such a drastic
change. Mahalo
Comm. No. 140-13
Ref. To: R/ A-WESL
Ref. Date FEB 17 2015