Maui county in Hawaii is exploring new legislature to tighten up the state’s existing laws on how ornamental fish for the aquarium trade are treated when caught before they reach the distribution channel. The bill proposed last week would give Maui island animal control officers the authority to ensure that aquarium fish essentially are put on legal par with other pets, such as dogs and cats. It would prohibit aquarium fish harvesters from harming or killing the fish, whether they intend to or not. With Hawaii’s aquarium fish population declining by 59 percent over the last 20 years, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources estimates in 2009 about half a dozen Maui fishermen used net traps to catch over 12,000 aquarium fish valued at $32,478, while statewide almost one million fish were sold for nearly $2 million. Many feel these numbers are on the low side and could be 10 times more than what is reported. Environmentalist and dive operator Renee Umberger argues that the ornamental aquarium fish trade has mortality rates up to 99 percent from one year of capture, while industry sides argue the number is as low as zero. Regardless of the number, as a hobbyist we are looking for healthy fish whose collection is not adversely impacting the environment. It will be interesting to watch this bill progress and see if the rest of the state follows suit. Follow the break to see what the proposed bill would do to require the humane treatment of aquarium fish.

• Prohibit many industry practices, including withholding food for more than 12 hours; deflating the swim bladder; trimming the spine or fins; exposure to air; and temperature changes of more than 2 degrees.
• Include causing the death of fish as being an inhumane treatment of aquatic life.
• Require documentation of mortality rates and disposal methods of dead fish.
• Provide that violations would be a misdemeanor with a fine between $500 and $2,000 and up to a year in jail.
• Molina’s bill would do the following to require the humane treatment of aquarium fish:
• Prohibit many industry practices, including withholding food for more than 12 hours; deflating the swim bladder; trimming the spine or fins; exposure to air; and temperature changes of more than 2 degrees.
• Include causing the death of fish as being an inhumane treatment of aquatic life.
• Require documentation of mortality rates and disposal methods of dead fish.
• Provide that violations would be a misdemeanor with a fine between $500 and $2,000 and up to a year in jail.
• Regardless of the number, as a hobbyist we are looking for healthy fish whose collection is not impacting the environment too negatively.

[via The Maui News, Quality Marine, Photo: NOAA]

Related Posts:

• Kona revamps fish collection: Yellow tang may be limited, fish replenishment area may be swapped
• New Acropora is among ten new species of stony corals discovered in Papahanaumokuakea, Hawaii
• Hawaii creates cryogenic coral bank
• Collecting expedition to new Hawaii location succeeds in catching masked angelfish
• Sustainable Collection vs. Captive Breeding – Is There Room For Both?
• First video of the Tsunami in Hawaii
• Dr. Paul takes the underwater Canon D10 for a swim at Kaanapali beach, Hawaii
• OMG! Fish voyeur heaven: Mandarinfish caught in the act