For the fish For the fish ADVERTISING The Hawaii County and Kauai County councils, along with Maui Mayor Arakawa, state community leaders and non-governmental organizations with members in the tens of thousands, plus more than 1,300 individuals, now call on
For the fish
The Hawaii County and Kauai County councils, along with Maui Mayor Arakawa, state community leaders and non-governmental organizations with members in the tens of thousands, plus more than 1,300 individuals, now call on Hawaii’s governor and Legislature to ban the aquarium trade.
Instead of a ban, Department of Land and Natural Resources may impose a 40-species limit on aquarium harvests. DLNR Director William Aila held until recently the fourth oldest aquarium-collecting permit in the state and still maintains close ties the trade.
The 40-species “limit” allows collection of species in decline from severe over-collection and others listed in Hawaii’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Hawaii biologists not aligned with the trade describe our reefs as too narrow for this type of commercial extraction, which is inherently unsustainable. This rule would cause more reef harm. Anyone can get a permit. Any number of permits can be issued.
Excluding other species now taken by the aquarium trade puts more pressure on the 40 species to be targeted. The bag limit proposal is ineffective and applies to only two species.
Once removed from the reef, this wildlife must be sold quickly because they have a very limited shelf life. Collectors get paid only on live delivery, which passes the risk to the next buyer. Some species known to die quickly have been removed from the list, but others remain.
No enforcement will ensure hobbyist access to every animal they desire. According to breeders, over 115 aquarium species can be captive bred to meet global demand. Aquarium hobbyists worldwide should only keep fish bred in captivity, but they prefer cheaper, wild-caught fish.
Who pays for the difference? We do. And so do our reefs.
Shame on those who sacrifice Hawaii’s native wildlife for profit, trophy and personal esteem. Shame on those elected to govern who then stand back and do nothing.
Rene Umberger
Kihei, Maui
Only for the left?
So KPUA radio was outraged by Rush Limbaugh’s attack on Sandra Fluke.
Remember the outrage at the mainstream Marxist media’s constant attacks on Sarah Palin, or MoveOn.Org’s full-page New York Times ad attacking Gen. David Petraeus, or the calls for President Bush’s assassination? I don’t remember it either.
It would appear that freedom of speech, however offensive, is effectively limited to those on the left side of the political spectrum. Others need not apply.
Richard Amacher
Hilo
