Discussions about aquarium fishing and resource regulation must be balanced.Sarah Ruppenthal’s article on the aquarium fishery [“Tropical Fish in ‘Hot Water,’” Sept. 11–17] referenced factoids culled from the Website savehawaiian-reefs.org. The site name is curious, as it fails to provide action items about any of the real significant threats to the reef: coastal runoff, sewage injection wells, diver and snorkeler damage, fresh water stream abatement, etc. Its focus seems to be on discrediting the aquarium industry. Because of this, a closer look at its core statement is warranted: Tropical fish shouldn’t be taken from the ocean and the numbers taken now are damaging the reef.
The Website states that the DAR estimates on catch reports are two to five times higher than reported with two to 10 million fish taken annually. Robert Wintner’s testimony in support of SB3225 echoed this statement and attributed it to Dan Polhemus at the DAR. I contacted Dr. Dan Polhemus, DAR state administrator, via email and he replied, “The quote attributed to me in regard to the amount of catch under-reporting in the aquarium fishery is incorrect.”
The article and site both remark that a tang left on the reef will live to the age of 45, while failing to offer the critical qualification that this is maximum potential lifespan if they avoid predation. Many people regard their marine fish as pets and are very dedicated to providing excellent care. It could be argued that average lifespan in a well-kept aquarium could exceed average lifespan in the wild simply because of the absence of predators.
The article is correct in pointing out that fish have a symbiotic relationship with the reef, yet fails to note that there are plenty of “housekeeping” fish that aren’t collected for aquariums. One of these fish in particular, the lavender tang, has a voracious appetite for algae.
Finally, it is also important to note that we are talking about approximately 150 collectors, statewide. This represents 4 percent of the commercial fishermen in the state and .05 percent of all fishermen, recreational and commercial combined.
While Mr. Wintner’s conservation-minded efforts are principled, discussions about resource regulation must be balanced with a thorough analysis of the real, rather than imagined, impacts on the reef. Fortunately, the aquarium fishermen have had productive meetings with state officials, and there is reason to believe that sound progress is being made towards establishing rules to support a manageable fishery far into the future.