HELP HI COLLECTORS-potential ban on collecting
- Thread starter dgiller
- Start date
michael stern
Advanced Reefer
- Location
- new rochelle
This is for real, big time.
I work with the biggest shipper in Hawaii, who is afraid for the survival of his business.
Call and Fax.
I work with the biggest shipper in Hawaii, who is afraid for the survival of his business.
Call and Fax.
- Location
- Huntington
I am editing my post. At the time I couldn't find enough info on the specifics and to initially slam such a bill seemed wrong. With things having been clarified and the source being known it now seems like a farce. I still find yellow tangs boring and will continue to not buy them as much as possible though.
Last edited:
Senate Bill 3225
I don't know if you guys heard about this but I thought it was important to release this information. I just received this e-mail from many suppliers. Here is what they sent.....
[FONT="]Li[/FONT][FONT="]nk to the Aquarium Bill[/FONT]
[FONT="]Link to the bill is:[/FONT]
[FONT="]http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/SB3225_.htm[/FONT]
[FONT="]Aloha all, The Hawaii Legislature is considering to pass a bill that will limit aquarium fish collection in Hawaii to 20 fish per collector per person with a maximum of 5 yellow tangs per day. The bill also will put a no take cap on angels, butterflies, boxfish, puffers,eels and many other species. The passage of this bill will essentially shut down the tropical fish industry in Hawaii which will include the transhipped items from Christmas Island and Marshall Islands. Please forward this to everyone in the industry because if we don't stop this bill, next year, yellow tangs may wholesale at $100 each.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]Let's try this :[/FONT]
[FONT="]Regarding Senate Bill 3225 SB3225[/FONT]
[FONT="]Everyone including all businesses, employees, divers, parents, kids, brothers and sisters, friends, and everyone involved in this industry - [/FONT]
[FONT="]JAN. 28-29th FROM EARLY IN THE MORNING TO LATE AFTERNOON, CALL SEN. CLAYTON HEE'S OFFICE AT 808-586-7330 AND WHEN ASKED BY HIS OFFICE STAFF - LEAVE YOUR FULL NAME - ( FIRST AND LAST NAME ), AND PHONE NUMBER, AND VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION TO SB3225. IF WE CAN GET 500+ PHONE CALLS INTO HIS OFFICE, WE CAN SHOW THERE IS VERY STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL . IT'S POSSIBLE THAT HE MIGHT SHELVE THIS BILL. WE NEED TO TIE UP HIS PHONE WITH OUR CALLS. THEN TOMORROW NIGHT, FAX SENATOR HEE YOUR OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL ALSO. ( FAX NUMBER 808-586-7334 ) THIS WAY, WHEN HIS STAFF COMES IN ON TUESDAY MORNING, THERE WILL BE FAXES ALL OVER HIS OFFICE FLOOR. [/FONT]
[FONT="]WE NEED TO OVERWHELM HIM WITH CALLS AND FAXES VOICING OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL.[/FONT]
here is the second part that I recieved today..........
[FONT="]FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO TOOK THE TIME TO PHONE, FAX OR EMAIL SENATOR CLAYTON HEE'S OFFICE OPPOSING SENATE BILL 3225, WE THANK YOU. [/FONT]
[FONT="]BY MID MORNING MONDAY JAN. 28, SENATOR HEE'S OFFICE WAS NOT ACCEPTING ANY PHONE CALLS. WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT HIS OFFICE WAS OVERWHELMED WITH OPPOSING MESSAGES. [/FONT]
[FONT="]STEP 2 - LET'S NOW INFORM THE OTHER MEMBERS OF SENATOR HEE'S COMMITTEE ABOUT OUR OPPOSITION TO SB 3225[/FONT]
[FONT="]THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE :[/FONT]
[FONT="]RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN PHONE 8 0 8 - 5 8 6 - 6 7 6 0 FAX 8 0 8 - 5 8 6 - 6 6 8 9 EMAIL [email protected] [/FONT]
[FONT="]CAROL FUKUNAGA PHONE 8 0 8 - 5 8 6 - 6 8 9 0 FAX 8 0 8 - 5 8 6 - 6 8 9 9 EMAIL [email protected][/FONT]
[FONT="]JILL N. TOKUDA PHONE 8 0 8 - 5 8 7 - 7 2 1 5 FAX 8 0 8 - 5 8 7 - 7 2 2 0 EMAIL [email protected] [/FONT]
[FONT="]PAUL WHALEN PHONE 8 0 8 - 5 8 6 - 9 3 8 5 FAX 8 0 8 - 5 8 6 - 9 3 9 1 EMAIL [email protected] [/FONT]
[FONT="]ON TUESDAY JAN. 29, PLEASE PHONE, FAX AND / OR EMAIL ALL FOUR OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS LISTED ABOVE, EXPRESSING YOUR OPPOSITION TO SB3225. THESE COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE IS WORLDWIDE OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL. [/FONT]
[FONT="]WE NEED ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT TO DEFEAT THIS BILL. IF IT IS NOT STOPPED AND BECOMES LAW, WE CAN FORGET ABOUT HAWAIIAN FISH - FOREVER [FONT="]...................[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT="]Thank you very much.[/FONT]
I don't know if you guys heard about this but I thought it was important to release this information. I just received this e-mail from many suppliers. Here is what they sent.....
[FONT="]Li[/FONT][FONT="]nk to the Aquarium Bill[/FONT]
[FONT="]Link to the bill is:[/FONT]
[FONT="]http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/SB3225_.htm[/FONT]
[FONT="]Aloha all, The Hawaii Legislature is considering to pass a bill that will limit aquarium fish collection in Hawaii to 20 fish per collector per person with a maximum of 5 yellow tangs per day. The bill also will put a no take cap on angels, butterflies, boxfish, puffers,eels and many other species. The passage of this bill will essentially shut down the tropical fish industry in Hawaii which will include the transhipped items from Christmas Island and Marshall Islands. Please forward this to everyone in the industry because if we don't stop this bill, next year, yellow tangs may wholesale at $100 each.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]Let's try this :[/FONT]
[FONT="]Regarding Senate Bill 3225 SB3225[/FONT]
[FONT="]Everyone including all businesses, employees, divers, parents, kids, brothers and sisters, friends, and everyone involved in this industry - [/FONT]
[FONT="]JAN. 28-29th FROM EARLY IN THE MORNING TO LATE AFTERNOON, CALL SEN. CLAYTON HEE'S OFFICE AT 808-586-7330 AND WHEN ASKED BY HIS OFFICE STAFF - LEAVE YOUR FULL NAME - ( FIRST AND LAST NAME ), AND PHONE NUMBER, AND VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION TO SB3225. IF WE CAN GET 500+ PHONE CALLS INTO HIS OFFICE, WE CAN SHOW THERE IS VERY STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL . IT'S POSSIBLE THAT HE MIGHT SHELVE THIS BILL. WE NEED TO TIE UP HIS PHONE WITH OUR CALLS. THEN TOMORROW NIGHT, FAX SENATOR HEE YOUR OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL ALSO. ( FAX NUMBER 808-586-7334 ) THIS WAY, WHEN HIS STAFF COMES IN ON TUESDAY MORNING, THERE WILL BE FAXES ALL OVER HIS OFFICE FLOOR. [/FONT]
[FONT="]WE NEED TO OVERWHELM HIM WITH CALLS AND FAXES VOICING OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL.[/FONT]
here is the second part that I recieved today..........
[FONT="]FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO TOOK THE TIME TO PHONE, FAX OR EMAIL SENATOR CLAYTON HEE'S OFFICE OPPOSING SENATE BILL 3225, WE THANK YOU. [/FONT]
[FONT="]BY MID MORNING MONDAY JAN. 28, SENATOR HEE'S OFFICE WAS NOT ACCEPTING ANY PHONE CALLS. WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT HIS OFFICE WAS OVERWHELMED WITH OPPOSING MESSAGES. [/FONT]
[FONT="]STEP 2 - LET'S NOW INFORM THE OTHER MEMBERS OF SENATOR HEE'S COMMITTEE ABOUT OUR OPPOSITION TO SB 3225[/FONT]
[FONT="]THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE :[/FONT]
[FONT="]RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN PHONE 8 0 8 - 5 8 6 - 6 7 6 0 FAX 8 0 8 - 5 8 6 - 6 6 8 9 EMAIL [email protected] [/FONT]
[FONT="]CAROL FUKUNAGA PHONE 8 0 8 - 5 8 6 - 6 8 9 0 FAX 8 0 8 - 5 8 6 - 6 8 9 9 EMAIL [email protected][/FONT]
[FONT="]JILL N. TOKUDA PHONE 8 0 8 - 5 8 7 - 7 2 1 5 FAX 8 0 8 - 5 8 7 - 7 2 2 0 EMAIL [email protected] [/FONT]
[FONT="]PAUL WHALEN PHONE 8 0 8 - 5 8 6 - 9 3 8 5 FAX 8 0 8 - 5 8 6 - 9 3 9 1 EMAIL [email protected] [/FONT]
[FONT="]ON TUESDAY JAN. 29, PLEASE PHONE, FAX AND / OR EMAIL ALL FOUR OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS LISTED ABOVE, EXPRESSING YOUR OPPOSITION TO SB3225. THESE COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE IS WORLDWIDE OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL. [/FONT]
[FONT="]WE NEED ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT TO DEFEAT THIS BILL. IF IT IS NOT STOPPED AND BECOMES LAW, WE CAN FORGET ABOUT HAWAIIAN FISH - FOREVER [FONT="]...................[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT="]Thank you very much.[/FONT]
- Location
- New Rochelle
maybe I missed it, but I would like to know why they have decided to do this. If there is a good reason, I may not be against it. Does anyone know why they want to pass this bill?
ditto. I'm usually for collection bans, because it's usually for a good reason. I don't see how it benefits the gov./local people in terms of profit (LEGALLY anyway). My main worry is that folks become wicked shadey when gov. become strict with regulations.
Isn't this why we pay that much for most lps/sps (a real question not an attack)
will read the link.
--read the link:
The department of land and natural resources shall formulate an annual stock assessment of the yellow tang, beginning September 1, 2008, based upon data existing as of that date to provide an estimated inventory for preservation purposes; provided that the assessment shall be made publicly available.
The language seems it is for stock assesment/preservation. Same thing they did for urchins in New England, when even for educational purposes I needed a special permit and needed to abide by collection regs.
I'm an environmentalist, pro- reduction methods to 'save the world' even at personal expense (question of necessity).
Hmm, isn't this hobby towards sustainability/safe collection practices predominantly?
(once again not an attack, just a question)
We already pay $$$ for micros, fish, etc. Wild or propagated.
"IF IT IS NOT STOPPED AND BECOMES LAW, WE CAN FORGET ABOUT HAWAIIAN FISH - FOREVER"
They may not be in our tanks, but if this action is soley about declining numbers of fish (sustainability of species), then the law may aim to help keep fish in the seas.
my thinking from what I just read/know anyway.
Isn't this why we pay that much for most lps/sps (a real question not an attack)
will read the link.
--read the link:
The department of land and natural resources shall formulate an annual stock assessment of the yellow tang, beginning September 1, 2008, based upon data existing as of that date to provide an estimated inventory for preservation purposes; provided that the assessment shall be made publicly available.
The language seems it is for stock assesment/preservation. Same thing they did for urchins in New England, when even for educational purposes I needed a special permit and needed to abide by collection regs.
I'm an environmentalist, pro- reduction methods to 'save the world' even at personal expense (question of necessity).
Hmm, isn't this hobby towards sustainability/safe collection practices predominantly?
(once again not an attack, just a question)
We already pay $$$ for micros, fish, etc. Wild or propagated.
"IF IT IS NOT STOPPED AND BECOMES LAW, WE CAN FORGET ABOUT HAWAIIAN FISH - FOREVER"
They may not be in our tanks, but if this action is soley about declining numbers of fish (sustainability of species), then the law may aim to help keep fish in the seas.
my thinking from what I just read/know anyway.
Last edited:
I was just reading about this and here is a link with some insight from some local collectors in Hawaii. It seems the bill was introduced by a local scuba club but has no real merit. Just polical posturing, there seems to be no real data to substantiate the ban.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1305868&perpage=25&pagenumber=2
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1305868&perpage=25&pagenumber=2
I think it was mentioned in the other link that most temporary bills become permanent and also this is not restricted to just yellow tangs.
"including but not limited to"
Hawaii is known to have very good handling and capturing methods. Most of Hawaii is already restricted except for 6 islands. The impact on the locals will definitely hurt their ability to support their families.
"including but not limited to"
Hawaii is known to have very good handling and capturing methods. Most of Hawaii is already restricted except for 6 islands. The impact on the locals will definitely hurt their ability to support their families.
If you read the text of the bill, it does not effect anything being shipped through the state, only those things that are caught within the state's territorial waters.
The snippet above is deceptive and alarmist.
I also question to what extent it will "shut down" the tropical fish industry in Hawaii (once again alarmist). It may cause fish prices to increase substantially, but I don't see that as necessarily bad thing. If yellow tangs cost $100 a piece, you wouldn't see people impulse buying them and then sticking them in a 30 gallon tank.
And to the post that said, (and I paraphrase) that "there is no data to support such a ban"....I think it should be the other way around... that if you are going to harvest natural resources you should be the one with the burden of demonstrating that you are not going to substantially impact the environment negatively. Every other industry bears that burden, even when it is on land they own and they are even more heavily regulated when they are working on public land (I dare you to go onto public lands and start cutting down trees) which is essentially where fish collectors work.
I applaud the Hawaiian State Legislature for pro-actively addressing the issue.
Here's a little more from RC:
"With all due respect to those people who have GOOD INTENTIONS, the Hawaiian tropical fish population is in NO DANGER OF OVERCOLLECTION. How do you think they are ABLE to collect so many thousands of yellow tangs from so small an area each year and not go out of business? It is because new recruitment of juvenile fish occurs every year - the numbers vary from year to year depending on many factors such as El-Nino etc, but the areas are NEVER fished out - Why?, because of three reasons:
1) Fish collected are of a certain size range (aquarium size 2-4 inch specimens are the ones targeted for capture) the really larger "Breeder" sized ones are ignored and left to reproduce.
2) Fish collection becomes unprofitable beyond a certain depth - ask yourself why a diver would put his life at higher risk, and use his precious air tank time to catch a Potter's Angel at 100 feet, when it is so EASY to get them at 45 feet? This leaves a HUGE reservoir of unmolested fish that are not ever captured regardless of size.
3) The Hawaiian islands are not just the group of 8 major islands that most people are familiar with - there are over 130 islands in the archepelago. IT IS ALREADY ILLEGAL TO CATCH TROPICAL FISH IN MOST OF HAWAII - the entire northwestern Hawaiian islands was recently made into a national monument and made off limits to fishing forever. The only areas currently legal to catch tropicals in Hawaii is around the islands of Kauai,Oahu,Molokai,Maui,Lanai and Hawaii. As long as the north west Hawaiian islands remain a national monument it will be virtually IMPOSSIBLE for any species presently collected to be threatened with overcollection.
This legislation is not based on any hard science - it is being put forward by the tour dive industry because at certain times in certain areas there is a short term absence of smaller fish due to collection, thus they have less to "show" their dive customers. These fish are quickly replaced at each new spawning, so these TEMPORARY shortages have no REAL IMPACT on the fish population as a whole.
THUMBS DOWN to this poorly thought out "feel good" legislation that does NOTHING to help, and has a HUGE potential to hurt the aquarium hobby in and from Hawaii.
"
Also:
"
I'd like to point out a few things to the list, but before I do so, I need to say that the following comments reflect my own opinions and in no way are reflective of my employer.
I too am all in favour of regulating the collection of marine ornamentals in Hawaii, but people ... this bill is not it.
There are a number of problems with this bill and much of it has to do with how Hawaiian resource management policies are established ... by politicians. This bill, as has already been mentioned, is not based on any scientific data. The limits proposed and the bans requested are not based on any sound management plan nor on any sort of meaningful research. As has been mentioned already, this bill is due to the efforts of local snorkel operators, the founder of one of the biggest is an advisory board member to the Sea Shepherd Society, one of the most radical environmental groups out there. This person has testified at the HI legislature before, and has a habit of making rather outrageous and erroneous claims and accusations; this bill is clearly the production of passion as opposed to reason.
The main reason this bill exists at all is because the Hawaiian state agencies and its politicians who have been mandated to protect its resources, have failed to institute a meaningful and effect form of regulation of the marine ornemental fish industry, to wit:
1) There is no limit on the number of commercial collection permits that are issued. Anyone with a net and bucket can collect and sell tropical fish. I am not sure about the exact price of the license but it is a pittance.
2) No business or individual is required to demonstrate expertise in collecting, boat handling, fish handling, housing or shipping marine fish.
3) There is no mechanism in place to inspect the facilities of collectors, and there are no standards for collection, transporting or holding of fish before sale.
4) There is no limit on how many collectors can be operating at any one time.
5) The areas along the Kona coast that have been set up as no take zones for marine tropicals and ALL the popular dive spots still allow spearfishing, line fishing and gill net fishing. You don't think this removes breeding parrotfish, surgeonfish, wrasses, jacks, goatfish etc.? You don't think people want to see big fish too?
6) Night spearfishing on SCUBA is legal ... see the previous point.
7) The state agencies that will be required to enforce this bill if it becomes law, do not have the resources to enforce it.
8) Why are flame angels and Potters going to be banned? Why not Bandit Angels and Masked Angels too? Because the bill was influenced by snorkel companies and their clients are not likely to see these fish. The other reason is that companies here are saying that aquaculture will replace these angelfish in the market. Given that only one place has brought a few flames to market (and not even Hawaiian flames) and that only one person has successfully brought several species to market the likelihood of this happening anytime soon is not great. Why puffers and boxfish? Because snorkelers find them "cute"?
9) There is no mention in the bill as to who this is directed at? Why no prevision for permits for research and public aquariums so they can still collect fish when needed?
My suspicion is that this bill is intended to get SOMETHING to pass this year, that would regulate the ornamental industry ... it most likely won't pass in its present form.
Sincerely,
J. Charles Delbeek"
I don't know alot about the industry but from what I'm hearing these arguments seem to make sense. I'm all for paying more money if it leads to less fish dying but if you think that restricting Hawaii is the answer I beg to differ. Also this can also lead to the importing of fish from other places that do not have any regulations what so ever.
"With all due respect to those people who have GOOD INTENTIONS, the Hawaiian tropical fish population is in NO DANGER OF OVERCOLLECTION. How do you think they are ABLE to collect so many thousands of yellow tangs from so small an area each year and not go out of business? It is because new recruitment of juvenile fish occurs every year - the numbers vary from year to year depending on many factors such as El-Nino etc, but the areas are NEVER fished out - Why?, because of three reasons:
1) Fish collected are of a certain size range (aquarium size 2-4 inch specimens are the ones targeted for capture) the really larger "Breeder" sized ones are ignored and left to reproduce.
2) Fish collection becomes unprofitable beyond a certain depth - ask yourself why a diver would put his life at higher risk, and use his precious air tank time to catch a Potter's Angel at 100 feet, when it is so EASY to get them at 45 feet? This leaves a HUGE reservoir of unmolested fish that are not ever captured regardless of size.
3) The Hawaiian islands are not just the group of 8 major islands that most people are familiar with - there are over 130 islands in the archepelago. IT IS ALREADY ILLEGAL TO CATCH TROPICAL FISH IN MOST OF HAWAII - the entire northwestern Hawaiian islands was recently made into a national monument and made off limits to fishing forever. The only areas currently legal to catch tropicals in Hawaii is around the islands of Kauai,Oahu,Molokai,Maui,Lanai and Hawaii. As long as the north west Hawaiian islands remain a national monument it will be virtually IMPOSSIBLE for any species presently collected to be threatened with overcollection.
This legislation is not based on any hard science - it is being put forward by the tour dive industry because at certain times in certain areas there is a short term absence of smaller fish due to collection, thus they have less to "show" their dive customers. These fish are quickly replaced at each new spawning, so these TEMPORARY shortages have no REAL IMPACT on the fish population as a whole.
THUMBS DOWN to this poorly thought out "feel good" legislation that does NOTHING to help, and has a HUGE potential to hurt the aquarium hobby in and from Hawaii.
Also:
"
I'd like to point out a few things to the list, but before I do so, I need to say that the following comments reflect my own opinions and in no way are reflective of my employer.
I too am all in favour of regulating the collection of marine ornamentals in Hawaii, but people ... this bill is not it.
There are a number of problems with this bill and much of it has to do with how Hawaiian resource management policies are established ... by politicians. This bill, as has already been mentioned, is not based on any scientific data. The limits proposed and the bans requested are not based on any sound management plan nor on any sort of meaningful research. As has been mentioned already, this bill is due to the efforts of local snorkel operators, the founder of one of the biggest is an advisory board member to the Sea Shepherd Society, one of the most radical environmental groups out there. This person has testified at the HI legislature before, and has a habit of making rather outrageous and erroneous claims and accusations; this bill is clearly the production of passion as opposed to reason.
The main reason this bill exists at all is because the Hawaiian state agencies and its politicians who have been mandated to protect its resources, have failed to institute a meaningful and effect form of regulation of the marine ornemental fish industry, to wit:
1) There is no limit on the number of commercial collection permits that are issued. Anyone with a net and bucket can collect and sell tropical fish. I am not sure about the exact price of the license but it is a pittance.
2) No business or individual is required to demonstrate expertise in collecting, boat handling, fish handling, housing or shipping marine fish.
3) There is no mechanism in place to inspect the facilities of collectors, and there are no standards for collection, transporting or holding of fish before sale.
4) There is no limit on how many collectors can be operating at any one time.
5) The areas along the Kona coast that have been set up as no take zones for marine tropicals and ALL the popular dive spots still allow spearfishing, line fishing and gill net fishing. You don't think this removes breeding parrotfish, surgeonfish, wrasses, jacks, goatfish etc.? You don't think people want to see big fish too?
6) Night spearfishing on SCUBA is legal ... see the previous point.
7) The state agencies that will be required to enforce this bill if it becomes law, do not have the resources to enforce it.
8) Why are flame angels and Potters going to be banned? Why not Bandit Angels and Masked Angels too? Because the bill was influenced by snorkel companies and their clients are not likely to see these fish. The other reason is that companies here are saying that aquaculture will replace these angelfish in the market. Given that only one place has brought a few flames to market (and not even Hawaiian flames) and that only one person has successfully brought several species to market the likelihood of this happening anytime soon is not great. Why puffers and boxfish? Because snorkelers find them "cute"?
9) There is no mention in the bill as to who this is directed at? Why no prevision for permits for research and public aquariums so they can still collect fish when needed?
My suspicion is that this bill is intended to get SOMETHING to pass this year, that would regulate the ornamental industry ... it most likely won't pass in its present form.
Sincerely,
J. Charles Delbeek"
I don't know alot about the industry but from what I'm hearing these arguments seem to make sense. I'm all for paying more money if it leads to less fish dying but if you think that restricting Hawaii is the answer I beg to differ. Also this can also lead to the importing of fish from other places that do not have any regulations what so ever.
- Location
- Marine Park
Didn't Bush declare Hawii the countries largest National Park last year. Isn't all of the water around Hawii now a National Park?
I say Yay! Awesome!
I say Yay! Awesome!
Just North Western Hawaii where there are some small atolls that no tourists really can visit because they are so barren.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/06/20060615-6.html
btw in the 6 years I've been going to HI (every year) I've seen a decline in the coral reefs there. Just 6 years same place, same reef, a visible decline. I'm not saying that the decline is man made it could be natural but never the less a bad change.
The effect on the coral reef may be a result of what this person is saying:
DO NOT ACCEPT THE PREMISE OF THIS BILL which is that some fish species are declining in numbers in Hawaii and "need" protection. It is NOT TRUE. I dive and catch my own (Not for resale) tropicals and can confidentally state that tropical numbers are as high as ever.
What you do see, if you dive here in Hawaii, is environmental degradation brought on by pollution, siltation, and agricultural runoff. Fixing these problems would result in REAL benefit to the ecosystem, but would cost far too much money for the politicians to swallow, so it is MUCH EASIER to attack a relatively small and defenseless group like aquarium enthusiasts - relatively few dollars spent, good PR, makes you feel good inside, without accomplishing anything positive, and hurting a lot of good people in the process!
In the actual bill they don't even spell corallivore correctly - they spell it coralvores. For them to pass a bill that is written without even a spell check should shed some insight on the amount of knowledge they have on the subject.
- Location
- Throggs Neck, BX
IMO If this was worded a little more clearly we wouldnt have such an alarmist approach to this bill. I am all for conservation and I am for collection specimens for sale as long as done responsibly. Responsibly being the big operative word. Unlike our little White Tip Reef Shark incident in one of our posts. Personally I am big on "being green" and would rather stock my tank with aquacultured and tank bred specimens before purchasing a fish or frag that just came from JFK or Newark. Or purchasing a fish that is tank bred from one of our vendors. If we were to get to a point where we cant collect species, how are any of us going to appreciate where our beautiful fish originate from? How would be able to pass on our passion for this hobby to our children and education them on how to be responsible with and for these animals? I am with many of you, I approve this bill, but pending that is revised to be more clear and concise and is grammatically corrected.
Sorry for venting.
G
Sorry for venting.
G
Hawaiian Aquarium Senate Bill 3225
Just wanted to pass this along to everyone. I received this email from a company called zoanuts.com
Link to the Aquarium Bill
Link to the bill is:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/SB3225_.htm
Aloha all, The Hawaii Legislature is considering to pass a
bill that will limit aquarium fish collection in Hawaii to 20 fish per
collector per person with a maximum of 5 yellow tangs per day. The bill
also will put a no take cap on angels, butterflies, boxfish, puffers,eels
and many other species. The passage of this bill will essentially shut down
the tropical fish industry in Hawaii which will include the transhipped
items from Christmas Island and Marshall Islands. Please forward this to
everyone in the industry because if we don't stop this bill, next year,
yellow tangs may wholesale at $100 each.
Let's try this :
Regarding Senate Bill 3225 SB3225
Everyone including all businesses, employees, divers,
parents, kids, brothers and sisters, friends, and everyone involved in this
industry -
JAN. 28-29th FROM EARLY IN THE MORNING TO LATE AFTERNOON,
CALL SEN. CLAYTON HEE'S OFFICE AT 808-586-7330 AND WHEN ASKED BY HIS OFFICE
STAFF - LEAVE YOUR FULL NAME - ( FIRST AND LAST NAME ), AND PHONE NUMBER,
AND VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION TO SB3225. IF WE CAN GET 500+ PHONE CALLS INTO HIS
OFFICE, WE CAN SHOW THERE IS VERY STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL . IT'S
POSSIBLE THAT HE MIGHT SHELVE THIS BILL. WE NEED TO TIE UP HIS PHONE WITH
OUR CALLS. THEN TOMORROW NIGHT, FAX SENATOR HEE YOUR OPPOSITION TO THIS
BILL ALSO. ( FAX NUMBER 808-586-7334 ) THIS WAY, WHEN HIS STAFF COMES IN ON
TUESDAY MORNING, THERE WILL BE FAXES ALL OVER HIS OFFICE FLOOR.
WE NEED TO OVERWHELM HIM WITH CALLS AND FAXES VOICING
OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL.
Regards,
Dustin
www.zoanuts.com
Just wanted to pass this along to everyone. I received this email from a company called zoanuts.com
Link to the Aquarium Bill
Link to the bill is:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/SB3225_.htm
Aloha all, The Hawaii Legislature is considering to pass a
bill that will limit aquarium fish collection in Hawaii to 20 fish per
collector per person with a maximum of 5 yellow tangs per day. The bill
also will put a no take cap on angels, butterflies, boxfish, puffers,eels
and many other species. The passage of this bill will essentially shut down
the tropical fish industry in Hawaii which will include the transhipped
items from Christmas Island and Marshall Islands. Please forward this to
everyone in the industry because if we don't stop this bill, next year,
yellow tangs may wholesale at $100 each.
Let's try this :
Regarding Senate Bill 3225 SB3225
Everyone including all businesses, employees, divers,
parents, kids, brothers and sisters, friends, and everyone involved in this
industry -
JAN. 28-29th FROM EARLY IN THE MORNING TO LATE AFTERNOON,
CALL SEN. CLAYTON HEE'S OFFICE AT 808-586-7330 AND WHEN ASKED BY HIS OFFICE
STAFF - LEAVE YOUR FULL NAME - ( FIRST AND LAST NAME ), AND PHONE NUMBER,
AND VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION TO SB3225. IF WE CAN GET 500+ PHONE CALLS INTO HIS
OFFICE, WE CAN SHOW THERE IS VERY STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL . IT'S
POSSIBLE THAT HE MIGHT SHELVE THIS BILL. WE NEED TO TIE UP HIS PHONE WITH
OUR CALLS. THEN TOMORROW NIGHT, FAX SENATOR HEE YOUR OPPOSITION TO THIS
BILL ALSO. ( FAX NUMBER 808-586-7334 ) THIS WAY, WHEN HIS STAFF COMES IN ON
TUESDAY MORNING, THERE WILL BE FAXES ALL OVER HIS OFFICE FLOOR.
WE NEED TO OVERWHELM HIM WITH CALLS AND FAXES VOICING
OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL.
Regards,
Dustin
www.zoanuts.com
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