Bills seek to maintain fish in the ocean, preserve reef

Could be year for proposals to succeed, say lawmakers

The Maui News
January 30, 2011

By ILIMA LOOMIS, Staff Writer

Collecting reef fish for sale in the aquarium trade would be banned or restricted statewide under bills introduced by Maui legislators.

The proposals come after the Maui County Council passed stricter regulations on the local aquarium trade in 2010 and earlier this year. Council members at the time noted that they had no power to restrict the actual collection of fish, because the state has jurisdiction over reefs and offshore areas. That's something that would be addressed by the proposals being considered at the State Capitol.

Lawmakers noted that there have been numerous unsuccessful attempts over the years to ban or limit aquarium fishing in Hawaii but said they are optimistic this could be the year for such a proposal to succeed.

"I think there's just a greater awareness," said state Sen. Roz Baker, D-South, West Maui. "I think people are taking a fresh look at some of the things we need to do to preserve the reef. People come here to enjoy the marine life, and we need to have healthy and robust numbers of fish in the ocean."

Senate Bill 580, introduced by Senate President Shan Tsutsui, D-Central Maui; Sen. J. Kalani English, D-Upcountry, East Maui, Molokai, Lanai; and Baker, would prohibit the sale of any aquatic life taken from waters within the state for aquarium purposes, with fines or possible jail time for violators. Animals collected for subsistence or traditional cultural use, human consumption, or for scientific research or public display would be exempt from the ban.

Other proposals introduced by Maui lawmakers include House Bill 459, introduced by Kahului Rep. Gil Keith-Agaran and Waimanalo, Oahu, Rep. Chris Lee, which would require the state to develop a list of aquatic species that may be collected or sold. A similar bill introduced by Tsutsui, SB 1098, would prohibit the collection or sale of any animals that don't appear on a "white list" of allowable species.

Robert Wintner, owner of Snorkel Bob's stores in Hawaii and author of "Some Fishes I Have Known," said he was heartened by the renewed interest in legislation on the aquarium industry, and he supported the bill introduced by Maui senators.

"SB 580 is a call for a ban, and a ban is what Hawaii needs," he said. "Hawaii reefs and Hawaii fish populations are in decline. We've known this for years."

Wintner noted that he and other advocates had pushed for legislation for years with little result but shared Baker's belief that the proposal might have a better chance in the current Legislature.

"We've gotten huge resonance from the Maui bills passing," he said. "A bunch of people have gotten behind it now."

Tsutsui's backing could also go a long way in giving the proposals momentum, Wintner added.

"The point man for us in the Senate happens to be the Senate president, and we are very proud," he said.

Tsutsui could not be reached for comment.

Wintner also was positive about the bills calling for a "white list" of reef fish for collection. He noted the bill would require the list to be based on scientific principles, such as a species' chances of surviving in an aquarium environment, whether its population is healthy or endangered, and how critical it is to the overall health of the reef.

Baker agreed that the regulations passed by Maui County had brought more attention to the issue.

She said she was particularly concerned about the removal of plant-eating fish, which help protect reefs from invasive algae, and about the collection of species that are too fragile to survive the transition from their natural environment to a tank.

"It's really a waste," Baker said. "We need to have a serious look at this industry."

Keith-Agaran, who proposed a "white list" bill, said his measure would ensure that any fish collection was sustainable.

"This is taking a look to make sure that if we're going to allow continued aquarium fish collection, that we're not actually doing something to completely deplete the species," he said.

English said he also felt the health of reefs would be threatened if more controls were not placed on aquarium fish collecting.

"We have to put the brakes on this and allow the fish to regenerate," Keith-Agaran said.

English shared Baker's view that, with new members in the Legislature, and Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie in the executive office, the proposals could gain better traction this year.

"There's fresh ideas, a fresh outlook, and I also think people are more aware of the fact that there is depletion going on," he said.

* Ilima Loomis can be reached at iloomis@mauinews.com.

Original article URL: http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/545619/Bills-seek-to-maintain-fish-in-the-ocean--preserve-reef.html

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