The Kona Coast (aka West Hawaii) is the third largest supplier, behind the Philippines and Indonesia, of coral reef wildlife for the U.S. saltwater aquarium hobby. The U.S. trade annually imports over 11 million fish to supply 700,000 household aquariums and public display aquariums. This massive wildlife trade exacts a toll on the animals and their reefs. This presentation describes the impacts to Hawaii's coral reefs and wildlife.

1. The Case for
Ending Hawaii’s
Reef Wildlife Trade
A Review of the Impacts
“…fish left on the reef benefit the reef,
as well as Hawaii‟s economy.”
-March 2008 Legislative findings by the
Hawai`i State Senate in SB 3225
ForTheFishes.org
October 2012

2. In Hawaii, it’s illegal to take rocks from the ocean.
Corals are fully protected, too.
But coral reef wildlife is taken in limitless numbers.
2

3. 1953:
Aquarium collecting permits required
(trade focused on Oahu)
1973:
Concerns about impacts prompts
administration to issue a moratorium
on collecting.
Moratorium lifted two days prior to
start to allow for studies.
1977:
Environmental Quality Commission
and DLNR asked if EIS required.
EQC: EIS may be appropriate
DLNR: not necessary 3

4. 1980’s – ’90’s Oahu:
3 major storms + over-collecting lead
to commercial collapse;
collection shifts to West Hawaii
Late 1990’s West Hawaii:
Studies show detrimental effects;
thousands call for a ban;
Compromise leads to 35% area
closure beginning Jan. 1, 2000.
2000 – 2010 West Hawaii:
Yellow tangs increase in FRA’s but
decrease add’l 45% in open areas;
common species become rare 4

5. 38% 43%
39%
56%
97%
49%
55%
42%
Tissot, Walsh, Hallacher (2004)
5

6. Fishery:
Achieve maximum sustainable yield
All animals considered dead, once taken
Ecosystem roles & socio-economic values ignored
Wildlife as Pets:
Universally discouraged/prohibited
Carries legal and ethical responsibilities
Provide life sustaining care
No harm, injury, killing without need
Coral Reef Animals:
Play essential & fundamental roles in ecosystem
Have high aesthetic, recreational, cultural values
6

7. Healthy coral reefs are essential to the
socio-economic well-being of Hawaii‟s residents
Educational Physical (protect
coastal areas; food..)
Social, Recreational
For future generations
Cultural & Spiritual
Economic
Biological, Ecological
7
HCRI, NOAA – Economic Value of Hawaii’s Nearshore Reef

8. Reef Wildlife Viewing (Snorkeling/Diving)
$306 million
Thousands employed
Property/Amenity Value
$40 million
Aquarium trade
$1.2 million
< 50 full time collectors
6

9. Hawaii’s coral reefs valued at $34 billion annually.
Equal to ESPN and Gates Foundation’s market value*
Americans believe Hawaii’s coral
reefs are worth protecting and
restoring for future generations.
*Forbes magazine
6

10. Healthy coral reefs are essential to the
socio-economic well-being of Hawaii‟s residents
According to a 1998 DLNR report, the aquarium trade is a
major source of coral reef degradation in Hawaii*
Significantly alters the ecosystem
Takes essential algae & parasite eating fish
Damages and breaks coral
Focuses on Hawaii’s most beautiful & unique species
Depletes populations of targeted species
* DLNR 1998 State of the Reefs Report
10

11. Aquarium trade a main cause of
coral reef degradation.
Major impacts on Hawaii Island
and Oahu.
Other impacts include:
Alien species
Sedimentation
Pollution
Climate Change!
Ocean acidification! 11

12. Food web disruption
Interference with complex ecosystem
Significantly alters densities/ratios
High biodiversity key to stability
Ecosystem services / Niche species
Herbivores keep algae in check
Cleaner wrasse removes
parasites
12

13. What happens to reefs that lose
too many herbivores?
80% of fish collected are herbivores.
“…[herbivore ] removal can result
in algal overgrowth of coral and
catastrophic shifts in the ecosystem.”
-2007 U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Working Group
13

14. Coral is broken and damaged when:
Nets entangle it when set or retrieved
Material is laid over it to block access to refuge
Sticks are hit against it to herd fish into nets or out of hiding
Equipment is set in it.
Fins and legs kick it
Anchors and chains land in it
Collection vessel
anchored in Kohala
coast coral 2/15/11.
Collector’s bucket
and scooter in the
coral 2/15/11.
(DLNR, 1998; Stevenson, 2011) 14

15. Where Have All The Fish Gone?
“Severe overfishing for the aquarium trade exists
even in the United States.*”
Hawaii’s aquarium trade has collected and sold over 8 million
reef animals since 2007.**
* U.S. Coral Reef Task Force
12
** 2X under and non-reporting factored in

16. 11 million wild reef fish + millions of reef “janitors”*
annually purchased by U.S. wholesalers to supply just
700,000 household aquariums and public display aquariums
Trade also involves an unknown number of captive bred animals –
estimated at 2% - 5% of total trade
*hermit crabs, cleaner shrimps, molluscs, urchins etc…
16

17. Hawaii
#1 #3: KONA COAST
(147 Miles)
#2
GREAT BARRIER
REEF
#1 Philippines #2 Indonesia #3 Kona Coast 17

18. Kona volume is higher than U.S. imports from
Australia, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tonga and Kiribati reefs, combined.
Hawaii
KONA COAST
GREAT BARRIER
REEF

19. Up to 3 X more fish are taken from Kona’s narrow reefs than are taken from
the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world, encompassing
an immense area and vastly more diverse and abundant than Hawaii.
Hawaii
KONA COAST
349,000 fish
GREAT BARRIER REEF
134,000 fish

20. Catch Report Graph
1,500,000 1,000,000+
500,123
1,000,000
Estimated Actual:…
500,000
0 Reported Catch
Underreporting + non-reporting =
Actual take that may be 2 - 5 times higher*
Reported Take Never Verified w/ Actual Take
* Dan Polhemus, former DAR State Administrator, Dec. 09 20

21. Endemism: the ecological state of being unique to a place
At 23 percent, Hawaii’s reefs have the highest rate of endemism on Earth.
21

22. 1. Potter’s Angelfish
2. Multiband Butterflyfish
3. Milletseed Butterflyfish
4. Hawaiian White-Spotted Toby
5. Psychedelic Wrasse
6. Saddle Wrasse
7. Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse
8. Blue-Striped Butterflyfish
9. Hawaiian Dascyllus
“… there is no replacement pool for many of the
targeted species, should over collection or a
habitat shift occur, as a result of the marine
ornamental trade.”
Hawaii Audubon Society. 2004. “The Marine Aquarium Trade in the Western Hemisphere and the Indo-pacific Region.” 32pp
22

23. Blue-Striped Butterflyfish Bandit Angelfish
Hawaiian Lionfish
23

24. Srategy Goals: “to not only protect current populations, but to
also establish further populations to reduce the risk of extinction.”
Aquarium collecting identified as the major threat to
native / endemic species below:
24

25. Center for Biological Diversity just petitioned
NOAA to list 8 fish species, including the
endemic Hawaiian Damselfish
Climate change impacts on their
habitats.
Ocean acidification impairs larval
damselfish smell, vision, learning,
behavior, and brain function.
Hawaiian Damselfish are
Leads to higher risk of mortality
highly dependent on branching
“Potentially catastrophic” long-term corals.
future of coral reef- dependent fishes
Hawaii’s branching corals are
most susceptible to bleaching
and sedimentation.
25

26. Threats to ALL Native Species
Extreme Selective Harvesting
Juveniles in 1” – 4” range
Mature Males w/Distinct color
Can Lead to:
Interrupted Food Chains
Reproductive Failure
Altered Habitat
Fisheries use Minimum Size Limits, Allowable Catch / Bag
Limits, Permit Limits
These Standards are Absent from Hawaii Collection Rules
*From Ocean to Aquarium – The Global Trade in Marine Ornamental Species, United Nations Environmental Program
**The Marine Aquarium Trade in the Western Hemisphere and Indo-Pacific Region. Impacts on coral reef ecosystems and a summary of governing
legal instruments and policy options, Hawaii Audubon, Bogiatto, et al. 2004 26

27. Examples of Depletion on West Hawaii Reefs
1999 Difference Between Since 1999: combined
Collected / Protected Reefs Collected / Protected
“It is apparent that a number of less
- 46% abundant aquarium-targeted
species have not responded to the
increase in protected areas and
have actually decreased in West
Hawai’i since 1999.”
- 54%
- 42%
- 58%
27
DLNR 2010 Report to NOAA

28. More Examples of Depletion…
Puako & Honaunau Butterflyfish
Abundance 75% “Species routinely seen in the 1970’s,
now very rare.”
Diversity 28%
Kona DAR, Species of Concern Presentation, 2008 28

29. The First Sighting in Years…
Captured!
A fish collector takes a Teardrop
Butterflyfish from Black Point
Caves on Feb. 15, 2011.
Dive guide who took this photo reported it was the first Teardrop seen on
this No. Kohala reef in years.
29

30. Yellow Tang Response to Area Closures
Recovery:
Within 4 years of the area closures
(FRA’s), yellow tangs rebounded,
doubling inside these newly protected
areas.
Depletion:
But the recovery was short-lived as
the aquarium trade doubled their
take, driving populations back down,
even in the MPA’s (long term
protected areas).
30

31. Yellow Tang Response to Area Closures
Gap caused
by ~30
collectors
In the open areas,
collecting pressure
drove populations
down by an
Green line = the 65% of West Hawaii reefs open to collecting additional 45%
31

32. Yellow Tang Depletion
Difference Between Collected / Protected Reefs
Kona DAR’s Bill Walsh called the
increasing disparity between
collected and protected reefs,
an “alarming pattern”.
1999 2010
47% 73%
He also said, “The aquarium fishery for yellow tangs in West Hawaii is
unsustainable over the long run – without additional management
measures.”
Dr. Bill Walsh, Kona DAR, 2010 32

33. Up to 40% of Hawaii’s wildlife dies before
reaching the hobbyist.
50% of Hawaii’s Top 20 fish:
ARE NOT guaranteed to arrive alive
when purchased fm online retailers.
Appear on other trade lists of
species unsuitable for hobbyists with
average to advanced skill level.
The Average Hobbyist
Is a beginner who drops out within a year.*
Causes astronomical death rates.**
Likely kills off most of their fish in the first
month of care from mistakes, inappropriate
tankmates, starvation...*
Hobby/trade authorities: *Bob Fenner and**Kieron Dodds 33

34. Achilles Tang Psychedelic Wrasse Chevron Tang Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse
Multiband Butterflyfish Ornate Wrasse Fourspot Butterflyfish Moorish Idol
Teardrop Butterflyfish Potter’s Angelfish Bluestripe Butterflyfish
27

35. On a reef: Waikiki Aquarium:
Yellow Tangs can live for 40+ years Potter’s Angel: 14 years
(Bushnell & Claisse, 2007)
Sailfin Tang: 15 years
Bluespine unicornfish can achieve 58.
(HI Div. of Aquatic Resources)
Raccoon Butterflyfish: 22 years
Parrotfish: at least 33
(Choat & Robertson 2002) (Randall and Delbeek, Sept. 2009, from a list of species
that lived from 13 – 24 years at the Waikiki Aquarium.)
Household Aquarium:
Relatively few live more than a year in captivity.
(Bob Fenner, author, Conscientious Marine Aquarist)
35

36. Kona’s Ocean Rider captive-bred
seahorses easily survive 100X longer in
captivity than their wild-caught cousins,
who die within weeks.
Ocean Rider’s oldest seahorses, to
date, are 13 years old, more than
double the 5 year life span of their
species in the wild.
36

37. Collectors/wholesalers must sell the wildlife
quickly because it has a very limited “shelf
life”. ~ Alton Miyasaka, DLNR
Collectors sell to wholesalers who wait
several days before paying and only pay for
those fish still alive.
Contributing factors:
Stressors are cumulative
Basic Needs Difficult to Meet
37

38. Fins and spines
are cut to avoid
extra packing
material costs.
Swim bladders pierced for faster surfacing Handling removes
protective mucous coating
Fish starved for 2 – 10
days prior to shipment.
With each shipment,
DOA’s are standard: up
to 5% can arrive dead
without chargeback to
shipper.
Starvation, stress and death continues
Another 4% will likely throughout the chain of custody.
die within days of arrival 38

39. State law generally prohibits harmful
trade practices.
Maui County’s 2011 landmark law
expressly prohibits collectors from:
Piercing swim bladders
Cutting fins/spines
Withholding food for more than 24 hours
for transport purposes
Transporting in a manner resulting in
injury or death.
39

40. “…asking permission prior to fishing, taking only what you need,
sharing your catch with your extended „ohana or community and
having respect for the sacredness of the process.” *
“…the livestock necessary to drive purchases of lucrative dry-goods.” **
“If we were to stop the importation of all wild-caught supply, we would
suffocate ourselves with a less-interested audience. No audience, no
money.“* **
* Brian Tissot, Washington State University,
Integral Marine Ecology: Community-Based Fishery Management in Hawaii, 2005
** Bob Fenner, trade expert/author defending the high mortalities on his website:
www.wetwebmedia.com/marlifeusebiz.htm (2009)
40
*** Pet Product News Editorial Blog: Sourcing from the Wild: Pro and Con, By Patrick Donston and David Lass (2102)

41. High Cost / No Public Benefit
Negative Impacts
Ecosystem
Socio-Economic
Wildlife
Employs Relatively Few Full Timers
Management & Enforcement Costs Far
Exceed Revenues from Fees and Taxes.
State Resource Use Policy
Resource protection is highest priority
Commercial use should only be allowed if
doesn’t impinge upon resource or use by
31
general public.

42. Trade’s environmental harm is well documented
Environmental impacts never assessed, though required by HEPA
2010 DLNR Sought HEPA Exemption
Population Assessment estimated at $200,000 & 7 mo. / species
Equates to $52 million and 152 years in “man hours” for statewide
population assessments of the ~260 species taken by the trade
Population Assessment DOES NOT include ecosystem / environment
assessment
Earthjustice files lawsuit requiring state to comply with HEPA
32

43. Limit Areas (since 2000)
Populations & species still disappearing
Limit Permits (nothing pending)
Caution! Florida permits down by 50%;
take is up 10-fold.
Limit Species (pending)
Controversial 40 Species White List
Drafted by Aq. Trade & their Supporters
33

44. White List
Negligible conservation gain for prohibited /
protected species
No high-volume species prohibited
Example: if White List was applied to 2011
reported take it would have:
Protected fewer than 4,000 fish (1% of total)
Reduced trade value by about $13,000 / .009
of reported value; half from just 3 species
(Cleaner Wrasse, Flame Angelfish, Bandit
Angelfish)
33

45. White List
Negligible conservation gain for prohibited /
protected species
Real potential for accelerated population
depletion for White List species
Unlimited take of 40 species
By an unlimited number of collectors
Hawaii take would still be #3 in the world and
outpace Great Barrier Reef 3 to 1, and more
33

46. White list sample: all 40 species with similar issues / concerns
46

47. Limits on Certain Sizes of Yellow Tangs
+ 2 others
Take limits on very young and very mature
yellow tangs proposed to stop depletion
Size data not included in catch reports, so
determining the impact of these limits is
impossible.
33

48. Enforcement?
Trade generates far less in taxes and fees than is required
for program administration, effective resource
management and enforcement
Ending the trade saves $$ for state / taxpayers
Federal Lacey Act is triggered when states protect wildlife
Illegal to sell or purchase protected wildlife
Federal FWS helps states with enforcement 48

49. 2007 – 2009: statewide legislative efforts limiting take are blocked
2010 – 2011: Maui County passes two landmark laws
Feb. 2011: statewide bill to end the trade statewide is blocked
• Overwhelming community support
• Call to end the trade continues to grow
Oct. 2011: Hawaii County Council Passes Resolution to Ban
Nov. 2011: Kauai County Council Passes Resolution to Ban
2012: Poll Shows Public Supports Ban
49

50. Poll shows overwhelming support for ending the trade:
• 66% statewide / 69% Big Island
• Top 3 concerns:
• Environmental Impact
• Disrespect of native Hawaiian values
• Cruel and inhumane treatment of reef wildlife
• Big Island specific:
• 88% support passing Maui style laws
• 72% agree only captive-bred animals should be kept in
saltwater aquariums
1400+ postcards supporting a ban have been sent to the Governor.
50

51. Remember…
Within 4 years of area closures,
yellow tangs rebounded.
With the right protections in place,
yellow tangs and other impacted
species can be restored and
maintained at a natural balance
for the benefit of all.
This balance will help buffer
Hawaii’s coral reefs against the
oncoming stressors of climate
change and ocean acidification.
51

52. 1) Donate to support our efforts.
2) Tell Hawaii’s decision / lawmakers that you
support keeping wildlife on reefs / out of tanks.
3) Speak out / submit testimony at the public
hearing(s).
4) Spread the word – many are unaware of the
trade and it’s impacts.
5) Sign up for Action Alerts!
6) Ask aquarium owners you know to stop buying
wild caught animals: there are many captive
bred species available for purchase & no need
to take wild ones!
52

53. Mahalo!
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