HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0140.084 2014-2016County of Hawai'i
State of Hawaii
2/17/2015
Opposition to Bill #318
Relating to Treatment of Aquarium Life.
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED
Time PM By
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Captured aquarium fish are not subject to substantial injury or cruel treatment. The process of
shipping very large numbers of fish all over the world was developed many years ago by the
commercial aquaculture hatchery industry. These methods are reliable and safe and result in
very few of these fish dying in transit and they remain healthy after shipping.
I am a marine ecologist and have been in the commercial marine aquaculture industry for over 35
years and have shipped and received countless numbers of fish and invertebrates over long
distances. These methods have been substantiated and published by many governmental and
academic institutions (University of Florida Extension Service, Louisiana Extension Service,
University of Hawaii Sea Grant Extension Service, Hubbs Seaworld to name a few). They all
agree that fish MUST be purged of all food for at a very minimum of 24 hours and preferably
48-72 hours before shipping. Larger fish and herbivores require longer purge times. The largest
commercial marine aquarium fish supplier typically ship 40 grams of fish per gallon of water
assuming for 12-24 hours with less than 1% mortality. Requiring one gallon of water for every
fish is unnecessary and would probably put the industry out of business for no reason.
Commercial aquaculture marine fish hatcheries typically ship at 20-250 grams of fish/gallon for
up to 24 hours depending on size. Fish are not harmed at all if they are not fed for long periods.
Requiring feeding close to shipping time guarantees they will all die due to deterioration of their
water. In addition requiring a gallon of water per aquarium -size fish is extreme and way out of
the norm for commercial shipping methods which results in less than 5% mortality. A scientific
study by Emily Munday at Washington State University using standard shipping methods of
Hawaiian exporters showed no harm to the fish shipped to the mainland and essentially no
mortality.
Thank you for your attention. References for the above material can be made available.
Dale Sarver, Ph.D.
Marine Ecologist
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