Letter: Protect reef wildlife from profiteering
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / FEB. 7
Chelsey Lokalia Kuahuia Faavesi, 29, an aquarium fish collector from Milolii, said the fishery is sustainable because collectors act responsibly and don’t take fish in excess. She opposes legislation that would end the trade. “You’re not trying to stop collecting of fish. To me, it’s like you’re trying to take away something that’s my birthright. I have every right to gather from this ocean.”
Efforts to finally shut down Hawaii’s deadly and destructive aquarium trade (“Aquarium trade still triggers fierce debate, even dividing a fishing village,” Star-Advertiser, March 3), provide an opportunity for Congressional hopeful, state Sen. Kai Kahele, the sponsor of Senate Bill 931, to demonstrate his ability to put the interests of Hawaii’s people and environment over mainland industry profits and their continued exploitation of our sacred and fragile reef wildlife.
The $2 million in reported income from the industry to Hawaii translates to a multimillion-dollar profit for mainland and international wildlife dealers. For example, an extremely rare masked angelfish, taken from our reefs, was recently sold by a New Jersey dealer for upwards of $15,000.
In this industry, the fish go bye-bye, and so does the wealth of our islands that they represent. Let’s hope Kahele remembers this as he puts Hawaii residents’ best interests ahead of claims based in money only.
Rob Culbertson
Hilo
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