Hawaii’s aquarium collection ban watch 2012 – four highest bills of concern

Yes, you know it’s not “fun” news when we lead off with this picture but if you care about yellow & chevron tangs or potters and bandit angelfish, read on.

Reef Builders staff received a very interesting and detailed examination of several Bills of Concern in the Hawaii State Senate and House – many of which are new proposals to outright ban marine aquarium fish collection in the state. We’re received permission to republish excerpts of this email in an effort to expand awareness of the ongoing threats that the aquarium industry is facing in Hawaii.

While we make no claims as to the accuracy of the interpretations, we owe a great thanks to the source (who asked to remain anonymous) – these issues are growing to the point where unless it is a full-time-job, there’s no way any single person can truly stay on top of this. If that’s not a wakeup call to hobbyists and aquarium industry insiders alike, we don’t know what else it’s going to take.

Excerpt Part 1

As we all know, the legislative session began last week. Snorkel Bob & his friends have been busy, and so far there are seven bills and four resolutions that have to do with aquarium fish. At least four of these would effectively kill the aquarium fishery in Hawaii, and need to be stopped.
In the senate, there are three bills that are of serious concern:
SB2042
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2042
– This one is from the Kauai County Council resolution. It calls for a complete ban on the sale of aquarium fish. Going further, it would also prohibit captive breeding and severely restrict fish collection for research.
SB2002
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2002
– This bill would eliminate the state’s ability to regulate the aquarium fishery, and transfer that authority to the county
governments. As we know, the counties do not have the resources or expertise to deal with fishing regulations; either the fishery would be completely unregulated or it would be shut down. In the long run, this bill would effectively lead to the elimination of the aquarium fishery as we know it.
SB2408
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2408
– This bill calls for three things: new marine protected areas on all islands, an increase in the aquarium permit fee to $500, and closing the aquarium fishery during the months of January, April, July, and October. It would also eliminate recreational aquarium permits, so hobbyists would no longer be able to catch their own fish. While the bill doesn’t call for a complete ban, shutting down the fishery for 4 months out of every year has no useful scientific basis and would
drive a number of people out of business. It’s unlikely that most people in the industry could survive if this bill were to pass.
In the house, there is one bill that calls for a ban:
HB1780
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1780
– This bill is the same as SB2042 – also from the Kauai County Council. Again, it’s a complete ban.

Excerpt Part 2

The deadline for bill introductions was yesterday, so these should be all the bills we need to worry about for now. Hearings for these bills could be held any time between now and the end of February. It’s important that everybody is prepared, gets your testimony ready, and is able to drop what you’re doing and attend the hearing if it
occurs.

Excerpt Part 3

Right now, what we can do is to call our legislators’ offices, to say that we’re opposed to the bills, and request that they not be heard. Hopefully, this will reduce the chance that any of them will be scheduled for a hearing. Please note that this is not a substitute for sending testimony to the hearing. Also, it is better to call on the phone than to send e-mail.
In the senate, SB2042, SB2002, and SB2408 will be heard by the Water & Land committee, chaired by Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz. The phone number for his office is 808-586-6091. Please call if you have the time, and make sure to state the bill numbers you’re opposed to.

We would encourage anyone who wishes to submit testimony or call a legislator to be considerate and thoughtful in their remarks. So often it seems that emotion and morality are taking the spotlight in this debate, with scientific data being sidetracked.

Matt Pedersen

Matt Pedersen is an interactive software developer and part-time fly fishing guide originally from Chicago, IL and current living in Duluth, MN, USA. Additionally, Matt has experience as a professional orchid breeder and certified fly rod builder. Matt has been a marine aquarist for 23 years, and an aquarist for 28+. After spending time on every side of the aquarium industry (retail, commercial and private maintenance & installation, wholesale, hatchery), he currently considers himself a "professional hobbyist". Most recently, Matt has currently spawned 22 species of marine fish, successfully raising 8 of them to date including one worldwide first (the Harlequin Filefish, Oxymonacanthus longirostris), as well as attempted another 6 invertebrate species to date. Most all of this was accomplished with less than 100 gallons of total working capacity, and all in closed culture. In 2010, Matt Pedersen was selected as the breeder of choice to work with the now famous "PNG Lightning Maroon Clownfish" from the SEASMART program, and chronicles the efforts to propagate this one-of-a-kind fish online at The Lightning Project. Matt Pedersen is credited with starting MOFIB (Marine Ornamental Fish & Invertebrate Breeder's Association) and writing for multiple publications including Coral, Koralle, Practical Fish Keeping, Reef Hobbyist Magazine and Reef Builders. Matt has spoken at numerous aquarium clubs and events from coast to coast. He currently sits on the MBI (Marine Breeding Initiative) Council, a project dedicated to bringing the concept of a unified Marine Breeder's Award Program to hobbyist organizations across the country and around the globe. In 2009, Matt was awarded "Aquarist of the Year" honors by both IMAC West and MASNA in recognition of his accomplishments and contributions to the marine aquarium hobby. Last updated October, 2010.