Grigg, Richard

Harrison, John

Helfrich, Philip

Miller, Jacquelin

Tabata, Ray

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University of Hawaii at ManoaEnvironmental CenterCrawford 317. 2550 Campus RoadHonolulu. Hawaii 96822Telephone (808) 948-7361RL:0723HB 2067RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OFENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCESHouse Committee onOcean and Marine ResourcesPublic Hearng - February 1, 1988ByJohn Harrison, Environmental CenterJacquelin Miller, Environmental CenterPhilip Helfrich, Hawaii Institute of Marine BiologyRichard Grigg, Hawaii Institute of Marine BiologyRay Tabata, Sea GrantHB 2067 would amend HRS 188 by adding a new section that wouldprohibit the taking of live stony coral of the Funjiidae or Pocilloporidaefamilies families except by permit authorized under HRS section 187A-6 or183-41.Our statement on this bill does not represent an institutionalposition of the University of Hawaii.General CommentsThe need for protection of coral resources of the State of Hawaii hasbeen an ongoing and frequent topic of discussion before the legislature.Opponents of regulatory controls have pointed out the potential impactsof such legislation to local coral sales businesses and the difficulty inenforcment of restr.i.cti.ons on taking of local corals due to the import ofsiInilar species from out-of-state. Others have questioned the need forany contrals. Proponents of legislation restricting the taking of coralshave pointed out the paucity of stony corals, particularly the Fungidii,in areas SUbject to high usage due to indiscriminate collectionpractices. The one major point of agreement by both sides is therecognition that insufficient information on the population biology ofstony corals is available for application to rational managementpractices.Appropriate resource management, be it timber, water, fish, or coral,. ara os e resourceare known and understood. In the case of stony corals in Hawaii, data onAN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERgrowth rates, mortality, populations and habitat requirements are eitherlacking, out of date, or so scattered that a comprehensive evaluation ofthe biology of the genera is not presently possible. HRS 187 A- 2 (6)directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to acquiresuch data in order to provide the basis for informed regulatorydecisions. We strongly urge that the DLNR and the university be directedand encouraged, with the necessary funds, to pursue the much needed coralbiology stUdies.Specific comments:HB 2067 attempts to meet coral resource management issues inasmuch asit would prohibit taking of stony corals without a permit. However, itwould allow commercial taking under the permit provisions of HRS 183-41.By requiring a permit to harvest corals, the DLNR would have a potentialregulatory framework to compile substantive information on the resourcebase for more informed management. We are concerned, however, as to theability of Dum to enforce this legislation. At present, it is unlikelythat DLNR has either the manpower or budget to expand their enforcementpracti.ces to encompass additional coral taking responsibilities. If theintent of the legislation is to be achieVed, provision for enforcementsubsidies should be recognized. We suggest that in addition to the permitprocedure, a reporting mechanism be established. Whereby commercial buyersof stony corals are required to submit copies of purchase orders to adesignated office of the DLNR. This would provide baseline fishery(coral) statistics not only on the local harvest but also on the relativeproportion of local vs. imported sales.We further suggest that HB 2067 be ammended to direct the DLNR todesignate certain areas as protected areas from coral harvest inacco:mance with their resource management responsibilities as providedunder HRS 187A-2(3).

HB 2067, Relating to the Protection of Environmental Resources - House Committee on Ocean and Marine Resources, Public Hearing - February 1, 1988

http://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/29195/1/RL0723.pdf

HB 2067, Relating to the Protection of Environmental Resources - House Committee on Ocean and Marine Resources, Public Hearing - February 1, 1988

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