HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0118.092 2014-2016From: RT Distributors <rtlivefish@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2015 10:53 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Opposed to Bill 318 and Bill 24 _
w•
Aloha County Council member and Mayor of Hawaii,
J
Opposed to Bill 318 and Bill 24
2-17-15 hearings
The Hawaii State legislature just voted against the 2015 HB 883 the humane treatment of aquarium fish testimony
overwhelmingly in opposition to this bill. Last year was the same for a similar bill. HB 883 is nearly identical to the Bill
318 and Bill 24 which the county council will hear in Hawaii Kona 2-17-15.
The state OMH Committee deferred House Bill 883. This type of legislation is not needed and has no facts to support is
passage. If passed it would hurt fish during transport the opposite of its suggested intent. County Council Bill 318 and 24
are a poorly thought out bills and should not be passed. Read the hundreds of testimonies below you will see every
scientist who testified is opposed to these bills.
Please defer Bill 318 Bill 24 and any similar bills.
http //www capitol haws' Rov/Ses on2015/Testimo y/HB883 TESTIMONY OMH 0211-15 .PDF
http'//www capitol.hawaii.gov/Session20l5/TestimonV/HB883 TESTIMONY OMH 02-12-15 .PDF
As for as aquarium related mortality in Hawaii goes here's a quote from a Cesar 2002 study "Mortality rates of
aquarium fish are low and have gone down considerably since the last survey in 1984. Currently, mortality
rates from collection to wholesaler are estimated at 0 to I percent. In the wholesaler's tanks, mortality rates
range from close to 0% up to 2%. During shipment, rates range from 0.75% to 2%. This give a current total of
between 1% and 5%, down from a range of 5% to 8% in the early 1980's (van Poolen and Obara, 1984;
estimates of wholesalers and collectors, own study)."
Emily S. Monday Hatfield Marine Science Center study about sustainability in the aquarium trade and I have
received no reports of mortality after 2.5 yews. So her recent study shows 0% mortality.
Much better technology and care techniques now exist so we are sure it is an even lower rate today. Decreased
transport times due to better roads and more airline flights make it even easier to ship shipments with no DOA
at all. Life extension techniques are used by the hobbyist at all times. Customers demand such cue. Life spans
of fish can be greatly increased in captivity. Many aquarium fish hobbyists tout their ability to increase fish pet's
life spans. Several cases have pet fish owners keeping fish alive for 15 years.
Fasting and under eating extends life span, clipping fish spines hurts no more than clipping finger nails and
needling is no different than when you get a shot for the Dr. for the flue or any other blood draw. These are all
done with the intent of helping fish health not to hurt them.
Life span of the average fish in the wild can be very short. Without enough food and the predators eating many
smaller fish survivability to adult breeding state is only 2%. In 2014 a much bigger percentage survived due to
increases in plankton due mainly to changes in currents. If the food is there the 1-5 million fry per adult pair
1 Comm. No. // . 9Z
Ref. To
PlAwescl-
tef. Dote FEB 17 2015
spawning can result in astronomical population growth. 'I his has resulted in biblical increases in fish
populations in fall of 2014.
A few species like Angels only produce 10,000 fry per spawning which is way below the norm for most reef
fish. Even those species are doing great in population numbers. Fish are very efficient breeders.
Ron Tubbs B.S. N.D.
University of Hawaii
See for yourself News links:
http://www. hawai i newsnow.com/story/26454840/videos-show-tro pica I-fish-swa rm i ng -states -reefs
http://www.reef2rainforest.com/2014/08/29/biblical-spawning-event-on-hawaiian-reefs/
htt westhawaiitoday.com/news/setting-record-straight-fish-collecting