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Fish Pono—Save Our Reefs Supporters!
It’s time to testify for our coral reef herbivores!
Testifying is easy! Please sign-up for hearing notifications!!
Aloha Fish Pono—Save Our Reefs Supporters!
Mahalo for submitting testimony during the 2024 legislative session, which resulted in two resolutions (HR69 and SR104) instructing the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) to convene a panel of experts to evaluate the status of coral reef herbivores around O‘ahu and recommend remedial action to the legislature. The panel included Fish Pono—Save Our Reefs scientific advisors, resulting in two new pairs of bills that need your support:
HB360 and SB1262 relating to O‘ahu Coral Reef Resilience Enhancement: Establishes special bag limits for kala, nenue, and uhu fish around the island of O‘ahu. This bill is designed for those who obey the law, which is most fishers.
HB506 and SB561 relating to Conservation Enforcement: Appropriates funds for equipment for the O‘ahu Branch of the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) to enhance enforcement of herbivore fishing regulations. This bill is designed for those who break the law, who typically pillage our reefs at night.
Why the focus on O‘ahu this year?
O‘ahu supports by far the lowest abundance of herbivorous fishes in the Hawaiian Islands. O‘ahu requires action to replenish herbivore populations ASAP before they collapse.
How can I help these bills to pass?
Testify at legislative hearings! The Hawai‘i State Legislature website has been redesigned and is now easier than ever to use (see the Quick Guide below). Each bill will receive multiple hearings by multiple committees before being passed. There is typically only a 1 or 2 day notice of an upcoming hearing and testimony must be submitted the day before. Please have your testimony ready to cut-and-paste, and we will e-mail you hearing notices.
What key points should I emphasize in my testimony?
- Coral reefs are extremely valuable to Hawai‘i.
- O‘ahu’s coral reefs are the most degraded in Hawai‘i, typically covered in seaweeds.
- Herbivorous fishes (uhu, kala, nenue, and others) prevent seaweeds from smothering reefs, allowing new coral to flourish.
- O‘ahu has by far the lowest abundance of coral reef herbivores in Hawai‘i.
HB360 and SB1262:
- The allowable catch of herbivorous fishes on O‘ahu must be reduced to allow these populations to recover before they collapse.
HB506 and SB561:
- Rampant overfishing of O‘ahu reefs that occurs at night when spearfishers plunder uhu and other herbivores as they sleep under reef ledges.
- The DOCARE night patrol is understaffed and underfunded, so most poachers escape.
- Night-vision goggles, drones, and other equipment will allow DOCARE to enforce fishing regulations effectively.
A hui hou,
The Fish Pono—Save Our Reefs Team
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