March 31, 2008

AQUARIUM BILL DRAWS BROAD SUPPORT FROM ACROSS THE NATION

The Snorkel Bob Foundation along with the Ko’olaupoko Hawaii Civic Club, Maui Kupuna, the Maui Mayor’s Office, House Representatives from Oahu and Maui districts, KAHEA, the Conservation Council of Hawaii and other distinguished conservationists held a press conference at the State Capitol in a continuing effort to bring ravishing reef extraction to the light of day in Hawaii—to put the aquarium bill on the air.

The aquarium campaign seeks to regulate massive extraction from Hawaii reefs for the first time ever—no limitations have ever been set on the number of fish taken or the number of collectors taking them.

The “reported” catch is 1-2 million, thought the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) head administrator estimates the true catch at 2-5 times higher–at 2-10 million fish disappearing annually from Hawaii's reefs.

Snorkel Bob Foundation Executive Director Robert Wintner described the situation as appalling and pathetic—and certainly dramatic. “We don’t think the take is 10 million, though the collectors—and especially the big-money traders—have pounced on that high end number as impossible, as unscientific and emotional. I’ll admit that we’re very excited at the momentum we’ve gained so quickly, but we’re no less scientific than these strip-mining, self-serving interests who have already emptied many reefs. We’re happy to focus on a median range as the actual take—say 5-6 million fish annually, which gives the collectors the benefit of the doubt on DAR’s estimate. It gives the reefs no benefit at all, or the State of Hawaii, who gets no tax revenue from poaching or smuggling.”

The Problem

High demand for yellow tangs and Hawaiian cleaner wrasses, coupled with unlimited collecting, is leaving a wasteland of empty and algae ridden reefs. Tangs are herbivores. They control algae on coral reefs. They comprise most of the take.
A yellow tang may live 45 years on a reef, or 3 years in a home aquarium under perfect conditions. When a single species is targeted, the consequences may be irreversible. “While over 100 species of fish are collected in Hawaii, just seven of those species comprise 90% of the harvest (Wood 2001: Tissot 1999). “Yellow tangs alone account for 72% of the total harvest (Tissot 1999).

Status

Testimony supporting the aquarium bill was 3-1 over opposition in the first hearing before Senate Water & Land. Opposition came from collectors and exporters. Out of state testimony from Murray, Utah cited, "if we don't stop this bill, next year, yellow tangs may wholesale at $100 each." This disregard for Hawaii reefs energized supporters on the 2nd hearing, where testimony favoring the bill ran 30-1 (thirty to one) over opposition.

The Hawaii State Senate passed the bill unanimously 25-0.

The bill was not scheduled for hearing on its first referral in the House—squashed by Rep Ken Ito, Kane’ohe, Chair. Rep Ito’s motivation here is unclear, though he may have feared the assertions that the aquarium bill would be a first step at eliminating fishing rights in Hawaii. The aquarium collectors have been filmed many times trashing coral, and witnessed many times wrenching coral heads free in shallow water to capture the little fish hiding beneath. One primary witness is Jerry Kaluhiwa, whose family has fished Kane’ohe bay for 200 years. He tried to assure Rep Ito that the aquarium collectors are not lawai (fishermen) and run contrary to Hawaiian culture.
The campaign is achieving great momentum. We are recently advised by Hawaiian supporters of our cause: Akua will guide us when we are humble and do things in a pono way, so ho`omanauanui, and lokahi and pono…and you will be blessed.

To add your organization’s name to our list of supporters, get current updates, and view Public Service Announcements (PSAs) and press, go to http://savehawaiianreefs.org/

PRESS RELEASE
May 14, 2004

KIDS RECLAIM THE REEF

PANGO, VANUATU--When the Snorkel Bob Foundation sent masks, fins, snorkels and gear bags here just in time for Earth Day, the kids were first to hit the beach. A clean-up and snorkel outing led by Mike Lamier of the Peace Corps was the first ever exposure to cleaning up for most of these kids, who filled their gear bags with trash.

Foundation Director Robert Wintner said, "These kids caught on quick--the reef and beach need urgent help, and if that means filling your pockets or gear bags with trash, then that's how we'll begin the long march to reclamation. The bags say 'Snorkel Bob Cares.' I'd say these kids can care with the best reef defenders, given a chance."

The village of Pango on Efate Island is part of the Vanuatu island nation, one of six island nations to share $45,000 worth of snorkel gear donated by the Snorkel Bob Foundation for reef preservation. The Coastal Resources Center of Rhode Island, the Peace Corps, and Rotary Clubs of Maui were instrumental in facilitating this reef salvage effort in Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tonga, Samoa and The Federated States of Micronesia.