A state House committee moved out a bill that would ban the issuance of new permits for harvesting of aquatic animals from the ocean for aquarium purposes and require current permit-holders to follow stricter rules.
The House Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources and Hawaiian Affairs approved a fresh version of House Bill 873 on Thursday, a day after hearing more than four hours of testimony and receiving more than 3,500 pages of written testimony on four aquarium-fishing bills. The bill now heads to the House Judiciary Committee.
The original bill called for a complete ban on the sale of aquatic animals. Rep. Kaniela Ing (D, South Maui), who chairs the Ocean, Marine Resources and Hawaiian Affairs Committee, said he thinks his compromise bill should be able to satisfy both those who abhor aquarium fishing and collecting, and those who sell aquarium animals for a living.
"Everybody recognizes the value of our reefs, both for our economy and tourism, as well as the subsistence and beauty of our islands," Ing said after the vote. But there was a clear divide between aquarium fishers and those who oppose the practice. "Although no one got what they wanted completely, I think they were OK with it."
Ing noted that a recent survey conducted for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources clearly stated that the practices of the existing aquarium fishing industry do not adversely affect West Hawaii fisheries, where the bulk of aquarium fishing is done.
The bill’s latest draft calls for three key changes to the standing rules.
» Prohibition on issuance of new aquarium fishing permits by the DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources. Officials say between 300 and 500 businesses or individuals hold permits, but only 70 to 90 actually engage in the activity. The bill leaves silent whether the existing permits can be transferred.
» Requiring those seeking renewal of permits to be recertified annually and meet certain standards, such as mandating at least a 99 percent survival rate of animals shipped abroad or to the mainland.
» Establishing "bag" limits on how much a diver can take.
On Wednesday, supporters of an aquarium fishing ban said the practice is inhumane and threatens to upset the balance of the marine ecosystem.
"Our reefs and these animals that are taken for the aquarium trade are our public resource," said Inga Gibson, Hawaii director for the Humane Society of the United States. "They are being collected and shipped to the mainland. They’re not benefiting the people of Hawaii, let alone the environment of Hawaii."
Rene Umberger, co-founder of the Reef Rescue Alliance, said there are far fewer fish in areas where aquarium collecting occurs. Maui County has passed two laws regulating the trade, while Hawaii County is considering one, she said.
Most of the people testifying Wednesday were either in the aquarium fishing business or supporters of the industry. Many said a number of laws and rules make aquarium fishing one of the most regulated and closely watched industries in the state.
Ron Tubbs, an aquarium fisherman and a member of the Hawaii Tropical Aquarium Fish Association, said he’s been fishing in Hawaii for more than three decades. "When I first started fishing some of the same fishing grounds that I’m still fishing today, there was less fish than there are now," Tubbs said.
Bruce Carlson, a professional associate with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a onetime director of the Waikiki Aquarium, said it’s true that aquarium species are more abundant in protected areas than in unprotected zones, but that the differences in numbers are not as dramatic as stated by the critics. Some species in the closely monitored waters off the Kona-Kohala coast, such as yellow tang, appear to be increasing in population, he said.
The committee Thursday also approved a related measure, HB 511, which makes it illegal to harass people who are fishing in salt water either for food, aquariums or other purposes.
