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Native Hawaiian groups and conservationists urge ban on commercial aquarium collection
Summary
Representatives from OHA, local Hawaiian civic clubs, conservation NGOs, and community groups told the committee the aquarium trade causes cultural and ecological harm and urged the legislature to ban commercial extraction of aquarium fish.
Dozens of Native Hawaiian organizations, civic clubs and conservation groups testified in strong support of House Bill 2101, arguing the commercial aquarium trade causes lasting ecological and cultural harm.
A representative of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs told the committee OHA "stands in strong support of this measure," saying the bill answers calls from communities most affected by localized collection practices and that counties and neighborhood boards have asked for a ban. Lisa Bishop, president of Friends of Hanauma Bay, said Hanauma Bay is an example of recovery after removal of extraction and better visitor management and added, "Hawaii's reefs are a public trust resource. The prudent course ecologically, economically and democratically is to strengthen protection, not allow non essential extraction." Several Native Hawaiian speakers framed the issue as a matter of cultural practice and public trust.
Earthjustice and other legal and scientific advocates emphasized procedural and legal points while supporting a ban: Earthjustice counsel Kylie Wager Cruz said the EIS process is not a guarantee that permits must be issued, urging lawmakers to note that "EIS acceptance does not equal permit issuance." Community leaders and local scientific divers described declines in certain populations, cited gaps between catch reports and observed fish removed at airports, and urged stronger protection measures.
